The crib to bed transition
Today we’ll talk all about the crib-to-bed transition. This one is a big one for parents as their toddler starts getting ready to make the switch from the crib to a big kid bed.
But I know how you’re feeling about this. It’s a huge deal. It’s intimidating and unsettling to think about all the things that can go wrong when transitioning your child to a bed. But don’t worry, I got you covered and will help you navigate through it.
The crib to bed transition is a really fun time in your child’s life, as they grow into childhood that much more. It can also be a really intimidating time for parents, as they try and figure out when the right time is to move their toddler to a bed.
There are so many questions surrounding this huge transition, like:
When is the right time?
Is there a right time?
How do I know my toddler is ready for it?
And we’ll get into all of it in today’s post, so keep reading.
Is my toddler ready for the crib-to-bed transition?
Yes, no, maybe? This is such a common question I get asked and obviously every parent goes through this at one point or another with their child.
Ask yourself these questions to determine if your toddler is ready
Has your toddler outgrown the crib? Does the top of the crib hit them above or below their belly?
Are they 35 inches tall or more?
Is it easy for them to fall out of the crib?
Are they between the ages of 2-3 years old?
Have they managed to climb out no matter what you do to get the to stay in bed?
Have they asked you for a bed?
Are you they old enough to understand bedtime rules and expectations?
These are good ways to tell if your toddler is ready. I do find that they are often ready sooner than we think, especially when they ask for a bed.
Yes, sometimes transitioning to a bed may require reinforcing some rules and boundaries surrounding bedtime, but if they are old or mature enough to understand and comply with those rules, then you have nothing to lose or fear! It’s a huge milestone for your toddler so make it fun!
Why is it not recommended to move my toddler to a bed before 3?
Ever heard of impulse control? Well if not, I am here to tell you about it and how it relates to the crib-to-bed transition.
Impulse control is the part of the brain responsible for controlling your child’s actions and emotions which can take some time to mature. By 3-4 years old children have a lot more self control and are more capable of following and understanding rules and expectations...
This is one reason why it’s not recommended to transfer your child to a bed too early because he may not yet have the self control to stay in bed. Your toddler may not be able to resist the impulse to come out of bed and it will be a losing battle that isn’t fair to either of you.
It is best to wait until your toddler has a bit more impulse control or self control before moving him to a bed, this way he will be mature enough to follow rules and boundaries surrounding bedtime and you will set him up for success, not failure.
So if you have a toddler who is not yet there with following rules and expectations in general, especially with bedtime, then it may not be the right time to move your toddler to a bed just yet.
If you know your toddler will be running wild in and out of bed or out of the room, then maybe wait a few more months until he has developed more impulse control, where he will have more self control over his actions and behaviors and where he will be able to stay in bed and in his room.
Moving your toddler to a bed whey they aren’t capable of staying in bed is a losing battle that is going to result in a lot frustration and tears on both ends, yours and your child’s and is it really worth it?
Here are my top ten tips for transitioning your toddler to a bed
Let’s get right into it…
Skip the toddler bed. No need to spend money on a toddler bed that they are very quickly going to outgrow. If your crib turns into a bed, then fine, but if you are looking to get a new bed and put the crib away, get a regular twin bed, you can always add a safety rail.
Prepare them beforehand. Talk to your toddler about their new bed.
Don’t go backwards. Once you start, don’t go back. Unless you started way too early (like before 2 years) and you realize you’ve made a mistake. Going back and forth will confuse the child tremendously and cause him to feel unsettled with the process.
Invest in a stop light or ok-to-wake clock. Set them up for success to help them stay in bed.
Don’t transition them the day a new baby arrives or if they are just starting school and potty training. (Avoid big other big events or transitions happening at that time)
Don’t put ideas in their head, like “Don’t come out of bed, okay?”
Don’t put the mattress on the floor! It’s an invitation for your toddler to get out of bed much more easily. Use a regular twin bed with a bed rail.
Prioritize safety. Ensure the room is safe for your toddler who will sometimes have the itch to roam around the room. Cover outlets, hide plugs as best as you can, I would avoid frames or anything with glass, if possible. Make sure shelves, dressers or cabinets are bolted to the wall!! Etc…
Involve the child In the process. Give him responsibilities surrounding bedtime to instill confidence in him, to help him feel mature and capable and to gain cooperation.
Maintain your usual routine! Don’t make too many changes, you want to keep it as normal as possible. They need that familiarity and too much change can really throw off your bedtime routine and make the child feel unsettled, especially if he is already hesitant about moving to a bed.
What about using a crib tent?
The truth about crib tents. Are they a yay or a nay?
Nay.
Why, though?
Crib tents may seem like a genius way of getting your baby or toddler to stop climbing out of the crib, but they are not recommended by the AAP or child safety experts.
Here’s the truth…while crib tents are deemed safe, they’re breathable, they’re light weight, they fit the crib perfectly, they are warned against to prevent accidents like entanglement and strangulation.
The AAP never recommends altering the crib or crib mattress, and a crib tent is an alteration of sorts. It’s an add on that isn’t part of the crib or didn’t come with it. And any time you alter the crib you run the risk of a malfunction, an unforeseen accident, etc…why risk it? The AAP warns against altering the crib or mattress in any way and a crib tent is considered an alteration. The main concern is that it poses a safety risk; The tent could possibly fall onto the infant’s face or body and he can get tangled in it.
“A recall was even issued following the death of a 2-year-old boy who became entrapped between the bottom rail of a play yard tent and the top rail of a play yard (Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2012) Similar products continue to be made by other companies with some being recalled to this day”
This product till this day is still being manufactured by different brands and are still getting recalled because of their safety risk.
There are plenty of safe ways to get your toddler to stay in the crib. If you have tried everything and have not managed to be successful, then it may be time to switch your child to a bed.
Try these things before moving your toddler to a bed
Try these things first and if you haven’t been successful in keeping your child in their crib then it’s probably time for a big boy bed.
Turn the crib around so that the high back part is in the front and the short part of the bars is facing the wall.
Try putting your toddler in a sleep sack, this often makes it harder for them to climb out, but keep in mind, toddlers with a mission will find a way - even with a sleep sack. They are clever strategists with a purpose.
Lower the crib mattress all the way to the lowest setting.
Try sitting with your toddler for a few minutes to help them settle back into the crib after they’ve climbed out. Sometimes they are just looking for that 1:1 extra attn. Remember, we don’t wanna give too much attn to it, but we also want to make sure we have out toddler’s need met as well and filling their cup so they aren’t doing things (like climbing out of the crib) to seek our attn.
If your baby is really really young, maybe consider a new crib that has higher bars to make it more difficult to climb out.
I think that just about covers everything you need to know about this huge transition. I hope I have given you enough information to empower you with confidence to help your child through this huge milestone. Good luck and you got this!
