How And When To Transition To A Big Kid Bed
So your child is creeping up on the toddler years and you may be thinking…”Yay I get to take that crib down and go pick out a themed toddler bed that my child will love!!” Whoa, take a deep breath and stop right there! Transitioning a child to a toddler bed is a big step and you will want to make sure they are (and you) are fully ready for this big change!
One of the biggest sleep issues I see for children is transitioning them to a big kid bed too early, well before they are ready. I strongly recommend waiting as long as possible. Yes, I am serious!
When is the Right Time:
You will hear about parents transitioning their child to a big kid bed as early as 18 months, however, I would recommend waiting until they are AT LEAST 3 years, preferably 3 ½. If your child is happy in their crib, keep it! Why, you may be wondering?
Well, for starters, children strive and need boundaries. Once those boundaries are taken away your child is free to roam!
Around 3 years of age children are developmentally able to express their willingness to change and understand the sleep rules that come along with being in a big kid bed. These rules can include, knowing to stay in bed until morning, or that they sleep in their bed while mommy and daddy sleep in their bed.
Some children may understand the rules before 3 years, however, eventually this will get old to them and they will realize they can get out of their bed whenever and start testing those boundaries. Children may start yelling for you and even worse, constantly come out of the room to find you!
Once children transition to a big kid bed, especially before 3 years old, a vicious cycle of jack-in-the-box may begin! There is a strong possibility that you will constantly be bringing them back to their room multiple times throughout the night. Sounds exhausting right? Well it is! This may not occur for all children but unless there is a safety risk of keeping them in their crib, what’s the rush?
Reasons Parents Decide to Transition to a Crib Before 3:
New baby is arriving and will need the crib.
Newborns are usually in the parents room, using a co-sleeper of some kind for at least the first few months of their lives. So they do not even need a crib for the first months anyways!
If you need an extra crib, think about borrowing one or even using a pack n’ play for the new sibling.
There are so many changes already going on for this toddler (the new baby), so we want to avoid taking away their one secure/safe haven, their crib.
They have attempted or succeeded in climbing out of the crib just once or twice.
Just because your child has tried or succeeded in climbing out of the crib does not mean they will do it again. Climbing is a physical milestone, not a request for freedom.
There are strategies that you can try to help prevent or make it more difficult for your child to climb out.
Tricks to Keep Them in the Crib:
Use a sleep sac and if it has a zipper put it on backwards or use one size up.
If you have a crib where one side is higher than the other, have the taller side away from the wall to make it more difficult to climb out.
Make sure the crib mattress is on the lowest setting.
Remove any items such as pillows or stuffed animals so your child cannot use them to prop themselves on.
If you have a baby camera with audio, EVERY TIME you see your child attempting to climb out, say “no” in a firm voice.
In the case that none of these tips are successful, surround the crib with pillows so at least they would have a soft landing.
IF your child is continuously climbing out and you have implemented all strategies to keep them in, you may want to start transitioning to a big kid bed. Even though it is ideal to keep them in until 3, safety always comes first!
Avoid Transitioning to a Big Kid Bed When:
There is a big change about to occur, such as starting preschool, moving, a new baby arriving, or just if they have just experienced a traumatic event.
If they have attempted to climb out just once or twice.
You have any travel plans or visitors staying with you in the near future.
Most importantly, you do not want to take away their safety haven too early. Children feel safe in their crib. It is a familiar space to them and a big bed can be very scary and overwhelming
If you have transitioned your child out of their crib and you are struggling with bedtime battles, the jack-in-the-box scenario, and/or early wakings for your toddler, please reach out! I am here to help your family develop age appropriate sleep rules and strategies to help get everyone’s sleep back on track!
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Hi! I’m Jessie. Your Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant! Click Below To Learn More.
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