When your child begins to outgrow his crib, you have two options. You can buy him a toddler bed and mattress, but this can cost hundreds of dollars. A cheaper option that's just as effective is a toddler rail, which converts your crib into a toddler bed. This option allows you to use the crib and mattress you already have, saving you time and money.
Step 1
Determine whether your baby is ready for a toddler bed. Many people believe that the best time to move a baby out of a crib is when she climbs out. You don't have to wait for this cue, however. You'll want to pick a time when you'll be able to respond when your toddler climbs out of his bed--for example, if you just had a new baby, it's not a good time to transition your older child into a toddler bed.
Step 2
Lower the mattress in the crib to its lowest possible level. This minimizes the chances of your child climbing out of her new toddler bed and enables you to properly align the mattress with the toddler rail. In most cases, you'll have to use tools to lower the mattress, and you may have to remove the mattress from the crib to access the screws. If there are bumpers in the crib, you'll have to remove them.
Step 3
Use your tool set to remove the front, or dropside, from the crib. The dropside can usually be taken out simply by removing the screws that hold it in place. Save these screws so you can install the toddler rail. If you purchased full bed rails for the crib, you'll want to save the dropside, as this will later become the foot of the full-size bed.
Step 4
Attach the toddler rail. Toddler rails usually have fewer screws than dropsides, but this doesn't necessarily make the installation easier. Your main goal is to install the toddler rail so that it's not wobbly. A rail that is not properly installed not only defeats the purpose of a toddler bed but also is a serious safety risk. You want the toddler rail to have a little bit of give, but not too much. If you're not sure if you've installed the rail correctly, contact the manufacturer of the rail.
Step 5
Line the floor by the opening of the toddler rail with pillows. No matter how you approach transitioning your child into the toddler bed, he will become curious about his new way out of the crib and will want to explore. Be prepared for this by providing a cushion for his inevitable falls. You may also want to place pillows under the area covered by the toddler rail in case your child tries to climb over the rail.
Step 6
Place your child in the toddler bed. How you transition from crib to toddler bed is entirely up to you. You can show her the differences between her old set-up and her new bed, or you can just pretend everything is the same by not changing your routine and keeping her bed in the same spot where her crib used to be.
Tips and Warnings
- If your child doesn't want to stay in the toddler bed, it doesn't mean that he's not ready. Keep putting him in the toddler bed and encourage him to stay in it, and he'll eventually stop leaving his bed after bedtime.
- Before placing your child in the toddler bed, make sure all screws are tightened and the bed is secure. Check the tightness of the screws over time to ensure that your child is as safe as possible.
Things You'll Need
- Toddler rail
- Tool set
- Pillows
