6 Signs Your Child is Ready for a Toddler Bed
Transitioning to a toddler bed can feel like a very daunting task to many parents and can feel like a big change for your little one. This transition comes along with preparations and adjustments that need to be made in order to allow for a smoother transition. While it is a normal part of growing up, each child can react differently to this transition. And it’s important to remember that there is never one set answer as to when your little one should move to a toddler bed. Generally speaking this transition tends to occur anywhere between the ages of 18 months and 3 1/2 years of age. In this blog I will share with you some of the signs that your little one may in fact be ready to move to a bigger bed and also share some techniques to allow for a smoother transition.
6 Signs Your Child Is Ready For A Toddler Bed
1. Your child is climbing out of their crib.
You may notice that as your little one gets bigger they will start trying to get out of their crib. You may notice that they start trying to swing their legs over the rails. They may actually be successful or not so successful in getting out of the crib depending on their technique. This can be dangerous and can lead to injury for your child. And should be taken as a sign that they are ready to start the transition to a bigger bed.
2. Your child is showing interest in a toddler bed.
Is your little one asking for a big kid bed? It’s hard not to consider your little ones expressed interest in a bigger bed. This can be a good sign that they may be ready to start transitioning.
3. Your child is potty trained or close to being potty trained.
If your little one has started potty training, this is a milestone that can bring them closer to needing to be out of the crib. With potty training they will most likely need to be getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. A bigger bed will allow them to do this much easier.
4. Your child is getting taller.
Is your little one getting close to being 3 feet tall? This can be a good indicator that it is time to switch to a toddler bed. As they get taller it obviously makes it easier for them to physically get out of their crib. Which can lead to injury and unsafe attempts to get out of the crib.
5. Your child is able to communicate their wants and needs effectively.
If your little one is able to communicate their needs like when they are hungry or when they are tired, this may be a good sign that it is time to start transitioning to a toddler bed.
6. Your child is at least 2 years old.
As previously stated there is no set age for each child as to when they should be moving from their crib to a bigger bed. However 2 years old is a good age to start considering making the move. It’s important to keep an eye out for the other signs we’ve just stated in order to make sure it may be the right time.
Once you have made the decision that your child is ready to start making the transition to a bigger bed, it is important to make sure their room is set up for them to be safely in a bigger bed.
You can make sure that your little one has a safe sleep environment by following these safety tips:
Make sure to cover any electric outlets
You can do this by using outlet plug covers
Be sure to wrap any electric cords
This is important so your little one doesn’t pull on them or get tangled up in the cords.
Secure furniture in the child’s room
It’s important to secure any dressers or larger furniture to ensure these don’t accidentally topple over onto your child.
Use a Nightlight
If you don’t already have a nightlight in your little one’s room you may want to start using one. This will allow your child to be able to move around the room safely at night.
Make sure to lock cabinets and drawers
You can purchase safety locks and other devices that work for securing cabinets and drawers that your child may have access to in their room.
Another important thing to remember when starting this transition is to make sure that there is a bed rail in place on the bed you choose to use for your child. This will ensure that they don’t roll out or fall out of their bed. Some toddler beds come with these as part of the bed , if not you can purchase a separate bedrail to add to the bed.
How To Keep Toddler In Bed When Transitioning From Crib
If you are wanting to hold off on moving your child to a bigger bed here are some tips to follow:
1. Utilizing a Sleep Sack
This can be used to prevent child from moving around too much.
2. Lower mattress in crib
Most cribs have the ability to be adjusted, this is recommended to be done before your baby is able to sit on their own and you will want to adjust it to the lowest setting before the baby is standing.
3. Remove excess items from crib
Blankets, stuffed animals, pillows, books, toys can all be used by your little one as a boost to get out of their crib- it is important to remove these items from their crib.
4. Set Expectations
It can be helpful to set boundaries and expectations for your little one regarding getting out of their crib. Sometimes all it takes is you telling them “No” a few times firmly for them to understand.
Hopefully the content in this blog will be helpful to you when deciding on the right time to start the transition from the crib to a toddler bed for your little one. More tips can be found in my toddler sleep support guide! If you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out to us. As always we are here to help with any of these transitions and you can access our sleep services here!