How to Transition to a Toddler Bed
Whether your toddler loves the crib or can’t wait to get out of it, you’ll eventually have to make that transition to a toddler bed. But when should you make this switch, and how can you do it safely and successfully? Here is what you need to know!
Lets start with the when..
Firstly, if you have found this page in your search on how to help your toddler sleep better, a transition to a toddler bed is NOT the answer. Little ones who aren’t sleeping well in a crib wont magically start when you move to an open bed.. and there will be one MAJOR difference- they can get out! I recommend working on sleep FIRST, then transitioning once your little one is sleeping well. Toddlers who have the ability to sleep independently are way less likely to leave their room at night, and teaching independent sleep skills is 100% easier in a crib.
Even if your little one is a star crib sleeper, I still recommend waiting until they are at least 2.5 years old before considering a switch! The longer you wait, the easier your transition will be. Younger toddlers really struggle with the lack of physical boundaries associated with an open bed and are more likely to develop the habit of leaving their room at night. Never have I heard a family say they wished they had transitioned to a bed sooner.. but I hear the opposite a lot.
But what about crib climbers?
Though its a safety consideration, crib climbing attempt don’t necessarily mean you need to immediately move to an open bed. Unless your little one is closer to 3 years old, I would instead try to stop the possibility of climbing first! Here are my best tips to keep your little one safely in a crib for longer:
Lower that mattress as far down as your model will allow. The bottom can be fully removed from some cribs, allowing for the mattress to sit right on the floor. If you go this route be sure there are no gaps between the bottom of the crib and the mattress- we don’t want fingers to get pinched! I have had families bolt some wood slats around the bottom of the crib to solve this problem!
Use a sleep sack! Even if your little one wasn’t using one previously, sleep sacks are a great way to prevent a toddler from lifting their leg up and over the side of the crib. Put it on backwards if your toddler is a sleep sack Houdini!
Evaluate your little ones sleep habits and schedule. Though crib climbing is boundary pushing, there is usually something that sets it off. Is your little one waking up early in the morning? Bedtime battles? Sometimes stopping the climbing attempts is simple as identifying what is causing your little one to be awake for long periods in the crib.
If you have tried all of the things and the scary crib climb attempts keep happening, you may have to transition regardless of age. You’ll need to create a very safe room environment, and I recommend investing in a baby gate for the door as it may be easier to have the entire room be the “boundary”.
But what if I need the crib for the new baby?
I hear this one A LOT! My answer is always the same. Unless your little one is close to age 3 and you have 2-3 months before or after baby arrives… buy a new crib! Other options would be to use a bassinet/pack and play for baby. We want to both prevent early transitions (and the sleep troubles that come with them!) and avoid any big changes right around the time a new sibling arrives.
Once your toddler is ready, there are some things you can do to make the transition to a bed as smooth and safe as possible!
Prep them! Let your toddler know the move is coming, and set a date. Don’t be too overly excited and avoid pressure statements like “ you are a big girl now, so I know you can do this!”. It’s a fine line between letting them know what to expect, and putting too much pressure on them.
Give them input. Invite your little one to help you choose their new bedding and decide what pillow they should use. We want to create a sense of ownership for them.
Keep everything else EXACTLY the same. This is a big enough change, don’t move around furniture too much or switch rooms at the same time as your crib to bed transition.
Ensure your child’s room is completely child safe. This means anchoring all furniture to the walls, securing cords, and ensuring any hazardous items are removed.
Use a bedtime routine with both predictable steps (visual aids can be super helpful!) and quality connection with your toddler.
Outline expectations. Let your child know that they need to stay in bed, and you’ll be outside in the hall to help them remember (and be sure to follow through!).
Avoid starting new sleep routines such as laying with your child as they fall asleep.
What should I expect during the transition?
When you make the big change one of three scenarios will occur:
Your little one will sleep well and things will be great! This pretty much only happens for toddlers who have solid independent sleep skills/slept well prior to the transition (seriously- fix sleep FIRST!)
Things will go well for 2-3 weeks, then start to fall apart and your toddler struggles to stay in bed. This is SO common- especially when the transition is made prematurely.
Your toddler struggles to stay in bed on night one and it’s a disaster!
The solution for the latter two is the same. You’ll need a plan for how you will help your little one learn to stay in their bed! A good starting point would be to interact very little with your child when they come out of their room, and quietly but neutrally walking them back with minimal re-tuck ins. For many little ones, a consistent response like this (at bedtime and overnight!) is enough. Its important to note however, that this strategy will not work if your little one needs your presence to fall asleep! If you are there when they fall asleep initially, its totally unfair to ask them to stay in their room overnight without you- gradually reducing your presence at bedtime would be a key first step!
Remember, you are the driver of the bedtime bus.
Though a bit ironic, what our toddlers crave most in their lives is predictability and clear, confident leadership. They are biologically wired to test bedtime boundaries, but its our job to pass their test! This means that let them know what to expect and always stick to our word. It also means that we remain unruffled by bedtime boundary pushing or their big feelings. Our job is to accept any protest, respectfully acknowledge it and keep on driving that bus!
Not sure if your little one is ready because you need to work on sleep first? Struggling with a crib to bed transition that didn’t go so well? Please reach out! Together we can respectfully set some new boundaries around bedtime, and teach your toddler how to sleep well and STAY in their room.