If your child is now able to climb over her crib rails, you may consider buying her a bed that is more suitable for toddlers. As startling as this revelation may have been, you may not need to run to the mattress store right away. Just because your toddler has the skills to escape doesn't mean she's developmentally ready to move to a "big kid" bed, according to Deborah Lin-Dyken, a pediatric sleep disorders expert on BabyCenter.com.
Age and Readiness
Most children go from crib to bed sometime between ages 1 ½ and 3 ½, but you should probably wait until your child is closer to 3 years old because many toddlers have trouble transitioning earlier than that, according to Lin-Dyken. Your child will need to transition as soon as he's too big or active to sleep in a crib and especially if he's been potty trained, says Lin-Dyken.
Gradual Transition
Until you're reasonably certain that your toddler is ready to transition to a bigger bed, set her crib mattress to its lowest setting, which will make her side rails more difficult to climb over. In the mean time, pump her up about the impending transition by bringing her to the store to pick out a new bed and new sheets imprinted with her favorite characters, suggests Lin-Dyken. When she's finally ready, place her new bed in the same location as her old crib and consider holding onto some of her old crib bedding to soothe your toddler during the transition. Also, because she won't be physically confined by bars, get a bed guardrail, buy a bed specifically made for toddlers or put her mattress directly on the ground so she won't be injured by falls, says Lin-Dyken.
More Transition Tips
Your toddler may feel more enthusiastic about his graduation from crib to bed if, along with a new bed and new sheets, he gets a special new bed-buddy stuffed animal and a new bedtime book, suggests Dr. Gayle Peterson, a family therapist on iVillage.com. Another way to help him transition is to follow the same bedtime ritual you've always had, whether it involves playing the same gentle music that he's always listened to before bed or giving him two hugs and two kisses before turning on his night light and leaving his door open a small crack.
Timing For a New Baby
If you're itching to transition your toddler from her crib to a bed because you're awaiting the arrival of a new baby, Lin-Dyken recommends "graduating" your toddler from her crib between six and eight weeks before you're due to give birth. This will help ensure that she is settled in her bed and reduces chances of her feeling as though her new sibling has "taken over" her crib. You may also consider keeping your newborn in a bassinet for his first three or four months until your toddler adjusts to him before you let him sleep in your toddler's old crib.
Considerations
If your toddler is starting preschool, potty training and awaiting the arrival of a new sibling, he may not adapt well to the transition from crib to bed, says Lin-Dyken. Give him a few days to get used to the idea of the new bed and, if he's still struggling to adjust, bring the crib back until life has settled down somewhat.
