A toddler has outgrown his crib when he learns to climb, and that makes his crib a dangerous place, since he can climb right out of it. Some cribs are convertible, which means they will transition from a crib to a toddler bed. Converting the crib to a toddler bed before the danger arises can prevent a long hard fall. A toddler bed will allow the child to get into and out of his bed freely. Convert a crib to a toddler bed in a few steps.
Step 1
Take the drop side rail away. The drop side rail raises and lowers. Push the taps at the top in on both ends and lift the rail up. Slide the rail up and off the bed.
Step 2
Remove the mattress and lower the supports to the lowest position. The bolts typically require an Allen wrench. Remove the bolts from the current position and put them in the lowest bolt holes.
Step 3
Remove the casters from the crib. Lift the crib legs and pull the casters straight out.
Step 4
Mount the left safety rail that came in the conversion kit. Use your screwdriver to remove the mattress support bolt next to the bottom arm of the rail. Affix the bottom arm of the left safety rail in front of the bracket and into the headboard using a long bolt. Affix the top arm to the headboard using another long bolt. Connect the rail to the underside of the mattress support using a short bolt. This bolt will screw through a hook on the safety rail and into the insert in the underside of the mattress support.
Step 5
Mount the right safety rail that came in the conversion kit. Using the screwdriver, remove the mattress support bolt located next to the bottom arm of the rail. Affix the bottom arm of the right safety rail in front of the bracket and into the footboard using a long bolt. Affix the top arm to the footboard using another long bolt. Connect the rail to the underside of the mattress support using a short bolt. This bolt will screw through a hook on the safety rail and into the insert in the underside of the mattress support.
Tips and Warnings
- When you first set up your crib, store the extra parts for the toddler bed in the nursery closet. This can prevent a lot of searching when you're ready to convert.
- Call the manufacturer to ask for replacements for any parts that appear defective or damaged.
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Allen wrench
- Conversion kit
References
- "Converting Infant Cribs to Transitional Beds"; Simplicity for Children; 2007
