Many parents appreciate the safety and security of a baby's crib, but once your child starts standing, it won't be long before he can climb over the rails. Both cribs and beds pose hazards for the 2- to 3-year-old child, but beds are usually the safer choice. Take a few extra steps to ensure your child's safety.
Height
A fall from a crib is usually more dangerous than a fall from a bed for several reasons. Beds are usually between 2 and 3 feet high, depending on the bed style, while a crib is usually at least 4 feet high. When a child falls from a bed, she usually slides off the bed while sleeping. A child falling from a crib is usually perched on top of the rail in a precarious position and more likely to land on her head.
Bed Recommendations
Move your child to a toddler bed, which is a small bed that uses a crib mattress and sits less than 12 inches from the ground. Another option is to remove the rails and box springs and set an adult mattress directly on the ground for a few months. If you opt to use an adult-size bed, install guard rails to minimize the risk of falls.
Additional Safety Issues
Once your child transitions to a bed, he is more mobile, especially at night, which creates new safety hazards. Install night lights or even a lamp with a low-watt bulb. Make sure that bookcases and other furniture are attached to the wall and put locks on drawers to prevent accidents caused by climbing. Your child will inevitably wander during the night to find you. Consider ahead of time how you plan to handle this. Some parents install a metal gate in front of the door to keep kids secure in their bedroom. Briefly comfort your child, though, before sending her back to bed.
Making the Transition
If you've decided that a bed is the safest place for your child, transition gently from the crib to the bed. Some children are happy to move to a bed, with its increased freedom, while other children miss the security of the crib. Talk about the new bed ahead of time, and allow your child to help pick out the bed, if possible. Place the new bed in the same location where the crib sat, according to Dr. Laura Markham, and stick to your regular bedtime routine. Make the new bed cozy with blankets and stuffed animals. Sit in the room with your child as she falls asleep for the first few nights to help her feel more secure and praise her for staying in her bed.
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