As your child continues to grow, you must change as well to fit his new set of needs. You'll have to set up your house to accommodate his curiosities, one of which is his desire to get out of his crib and explore his room. Putting him in a toddler bed is a difficult, but necessary step in his development.
Toddler Bed Basics
A toddler bed is, in essence, a crib with one or two fewer sides. The head and the foot of the bed are similar to what your child is used to, but one or both sides of the crib are removed. Instead, a low railing is present to keep her from rolling out of the bed at night. The bed features a small opening that allows her to exit and enter the bed at her leisure.
When to Change
There is no agreed-upon "right time" to transition your baby into a toddler bed. Many experts, including the website Keep Kids Healthy, state that the best time to make the change is when he successfully climbs out of his crib. At this point, the crib is no longer able to keep your baby safe, and the high wall of the crib presents a great danger as he climbs out. However, you can change him over before he accomplishes this, or you can do it when you simply feel he's ready.
Toddler Bed Setup
The mattress you currently have for your baby's crib can be used in a toddler bed. In fact, you may even be able to convert your crib into a toddler bed. If you can, you can simply pop off the drop side of the crib and replace it with a toddler rail, which is either included with the crib or sold separately.You can also purchase a universal toddler rail, which fits on most cribs. Another option is to purchase an entirely new toddler bed; these beds often come in the colors and designs of your child's favorite characters.
Babyproofing
Because your child now has unrestricted access to the rest of the room after he's been put down for the night, it's your job to ensure that he's safe while he's outside of his bed. To achieve this, you should babyproof every part of the room. Install outlet plugs to keep him from electrocuting himself, drawer and cabinet locks to keep him from climbing up his dresser and doorknob covers to prevent him from locking himself in the room. Also, keep fragile and heavy items out of his reach.
Her First Night
Your child's first night in a toddler bed is undoubtedly a scary experience for both of you. Make sure you have a working monitor in her room so you can hear any unexpected thuds. Place some pillows by the exit of the bed in the event that she leaves the bed or falls out. If she does wander out of the bed, give her time to get used to her new setup. She'll eventually understand her new-found power, then climb back into her bed to fall asleep.
