Once
your child is able to climb out of his crib, it is time to move
him into a toddler bed. If your child is three feet tall, you
may want to move him to a toddler bed even if he isn't climbing
out of his crib. The usual age is about eighteen months to two
years.
Moving
to a toddler bed can be stressful for many children and it is
a significant milestone in their development.
Some
tips to
ease the
transition
to a toddler
bed include:
- let
her
be
involved
in
picking
out
the
new
bed
and
if
possible,
let
her
pick
out
some
new bedding
with
her
favorite
characters
on
it
and
then
put
these
on
her
new
bed.
- put
the
new
bed
in
her
room
for
a few
months
to
help
her
get
used
to
it
- start
her
bedtime
routine
in
her
new
toddler
bed
and
then,
if
she
wants,
move
her
to
her
crib when
she
is
finally
ready
to
go
to
sleep.
- let
her
take
her
daytime
naps
in
the
toddler
bed
- take
as
many
things
from
her
crib
and
continue
to
use
them
in
her
bed
and
as
part
of her
bedtime
routine
- let
her
sleep
on
the
crib
mattress
on
the
floor
for
a few
nights
- move
the
new
bed
into
the
position
in
the
room
that
her
crib
was
in,
but
you
would
likely have
to
take
her
crib
down
first
One
of the
most important
things
to avoid
is trying
to move
your toddler
into a
bed during
a stressful
time, such
as after
the arrival
of a new
sibling,
moving,
starting
a new daycare, beginning
potty training,
etc. Try
to plan
the move
to a bed
so that
it won't
be at the
same time
as other
events
that may
add to
the stress.
Another
helpful
tip for
giving
up something
like a
crib or
bottle,
etc. is
making
a big deal
about how
the 'baby'
needs the
'baby bed'
now, and
as a 'big
girl',
she is supposed
to give
them to
the baby
and move
to her
'big girl'
bed. This
can backfire
though
if it makes
her resent
having
to give
the things
away.
Moving
to a toddler
bed is
a big milestone
for most
children
and it
can be
stressful
for them.
Be sure
to give
her extra
attention
during
this transition
and try
and stick
to your bedtime
routine
so that
you don't
create
any new
sleep problems.
If
she is
really
resistant
to sleeping
in her
new bed
and getting
rid of
her crib,
then as
long as
she isn't
climbing
out of
it, you
can wait
a few months
and try again.
Keep talking
about it
and eventually
limit her
naps to
the bed.
If
you have
to get
her moved
to a toddler
bed, either
because
you did
need the
crib for
a new baby
or she
is climbing
out of
it, then
taking
it apart
and/or
putting it away
may make
it less
of a reminder.
Are
you considering
a move
to a bunk
bed? Keep
in mind
that children
under age
6 years
should
not be
allowed
to sleep
on the
top bunk
of a bunk
bed. See
our guide
to bunk bed safety
for more
information. |
