Toddlers are typically ready to transfer from a crib to a bed when they are 1.5 to 3.5 years old, pediatric sleep expert Deborah Lin-Dyken tells BabyCenter. The transfer is often most difficult for a first child, especially when necessitated by the arrival of a new baby; first children tend to be possessive of cribs when siblings come along. Younger siblings, however, may be eager to move into a bed like their older brothers and sisters. Although transferring a child from a crib to a bed can be tricky, you can take some steps to ease the transition.
Step 1
Watch for signs of readiness for the transition from crib to bed. Note when your child readily climbs out of the crib, when he expresses interest in a bed and when he is potty trained well enough to require access to the toilet from bed.
Step 2
Toddler-proof your child's room before the transfer, advises pediatrician Alan Greene, M.D. Remove breakable or dangerous items and choking hazards, secure furniture to the walls, lock drawers, obstruct electrical outlets, make sure curtain cords are out of reach, set up a child gate at the bedroom door, and make sure everything is as safe as possible for a young child who will no longer be confined to a crib.
Step 3
Talk up the transfer from crib to bed preceding the change, suggests pediatrician and pediatric advice columnist Dr. William Sears. Get your child excited about the move, and lead her to associate it with getting bigger.
Step 4
Take your child to buy or pick up his new bed to help it seem like his. Consider a toddler bed for a transitional period, which is smaller than a twin-size bed, uses a crib mattress and is generally designed to look like something fun, such as a race car or train. Make sure it comes with a guardrail, or purchase one to prevent middle-of-the-night falls while your child adjusts to sleeping in a bed.
Step 5
Make the bed seem familiar to your child, suggests BabyCenter. Keep it where you had the crib, and put the pillow at the same end as it was in the crib. Use the same crib bedding for a week or so, and decorate the bed with the same stuffed animals that were in the crib.
Step 6
Maintain the same bedtime routine as much as possible during the transition. If a bedtime story is part of your child's nightly ritual, you may initially have to sit on the new bed and read books until she is completely asleep, advises Dr. Sears.
Step 7
Use a lamp or nightlight to signify when it's time to be in bed, recommends Dr. Greene. Keep it on when it's time to be in bed and turn it off when your toddler is allowed out, since he cannot use a clock like an adult can. Explain this method consistently to your child, especially when he challenges it.
Step 8
Put your child back in the crib if she makes it clear for at least a week that she isn't ready for a bed by screaming, protesting, repeatedly getting out of bed or not getting enough sleep. Try again in a month or so. Be sure you don't give your child the impression that her not being ready or going back to the crib is anything negative, cautions BabyCenter.
