The decision time for converting a crib into a toddler bed -- which typically involves removing the front rail of the crib -- varies greatly based on your child's needs and your comfort level. Most of the time, babies are ready to make the switch somewhere between the ages of 18 months and 3 ½ years, according to the BabyCenter website. Look for signs that your toddler is ready to move from her crib to a toddler bed.
"Perfect" Timing
There really is no such thing as the perfect age or just the right time to make the switch. But for safety reasons, it's wise to wait until your toddler is close to the age of 3 before giving up the crib. When your child has grown too big to sleep comfortably in a crib, it's definitely time. If your child consistently climbs out of the crib, that's another sign that she's ready for a toddler bed. Your child's communication skills will also be improving during toddlerhood, so she can tell you when she doesn't want her crib or wants to move to a "big kid bed."
Things to Consider
When your child is potty trained and no longer relies on diapers at night, he needs a toddler bed so he can get up to go potty at night. Make sure that your child's room and your home are child-proofed so that he can't wander far in the middle of the night. Make sure she can't go up or down stairs or get into anything that might hurt her.
New Baby
Many parents rush the switch from crib to toddler bed because they're expecting a new addition in the family. If your child is ready and you know that she can be safe if she gets up out of bed in the middle of the night, switch your child to a toddler bed six to eight weeks before the new baby is due. If your toddler isn't ready, you can wait until the new baby is three to four months old before a crib is really necessary, says the BabyCenter website. The new baby can sleep in a bassinet in the parents' room for several months.
Preparation
It's very normal for a toddler to be attached to her crib and have a difficult time adjusting to a toddler bed because it may feel different without the front rail, even though it is the same bed. Some adjust to the change without problems. To make the transition easier on your toddler, keep the converted toddler bed in the same place that the crib was. Let your child sleep with her usual sheets and blankets so that the bed seems familiar to her.
