Transitioning a child from a crib to a toddler bed is a huge milestone in their life. It often comes with a wide range of emotions for your little one like anxiety, excitement, or irritability about making such a big change. Let’s be real, you are probably feeling all those same emotions. If you’re familiar with the wrath of a feral toddler, you may be pretty nervous to convert them to a bed. How do you know when your toddler is ready to move from a crib to a bed?
Every child is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for when to make the switch. This transition can happen anytime between the ages of 24 months and 3 ½ years old. There are certain indicators that it’s time to opt for a toddler bed. Like if your toddler can climb out of the crib or has started to potty train. However, there are also indicators of when it’s best to wait a little bit longer until the timing is right. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of factors that may indicate your toddler isn’t quite ready yet.
9 Signs Your Toddler Is Not Ready for a Bed
Many signs can be used to gauge your child’s readiness to transition into a big kid bed. Here are some common signs that you may want to keep them in their crib for a little bit longer:
Sign #1: Your Child is Younger than 3
Some navigate the toddler bed transition before 3 with ease. Other children aren’t developmentally ready yet to make the move. Your toddler may find comfort and safety in the walls of their crib. And removing them from their safe space may result in a major freakout. With your toddler growing at a rapid rate, the difference between the ages of 18 months and 3 years in maturity and understanding of boundaries is huge. Many sleep consultants recommend holding off until your toddler is at least 3 years old.
Sign #2: Your Child Can’t Sleep Through the Night
If your toddler is struggling to sleep through the night, throwing in change may make the situation worse. If they’re restless, persistently crying, or struggling with staying in bed, I would recommend tackling the issues at hand before adding a new bed into the mix to avoid a sleep regression.
Sign #3: Your Child Likes to Push Boundaries
Boundaries are important when it comes to the freedom of a new bed. Not being able to understand that their bed is their designated space to sleep may mean they get up to play or leave their bedroom in the middle of the night. If boundaries are a constant battle in your home during the daytime, your toddler likely won’t respect them at bedtime either.
Sign #4: Your Child is Afraid to Sleep Alone
If your toddler is too scared to sleep alone, they may not be ready for a toddler bed yet. It’s important to patiently reassure them until they feel safe and secure being on their own during the night. Holding off on a big bed until they can independently get a good night’s rest will be the best option. There are many sleeping products for toddlers that can provide peace of mind and help them adjust to sleeping alone more easily.
Sign #5: Your Child Resists Bedtime
If just thinking about bedtime leads to a bedtime battle, your toddler may not be ready to leave the familiarity, security, and protection of their crib. Resisting bedtime and not being able to follow instructions is a sign they’re likely not ready for the freedom that comes with their own bed.
Sign #6: Your Child’s Space Isn’t Toddler-Proof
A new bed means your toddler will have the freedom to roam around while you’re not there to supervise. If there is furniture that isn’t secured to the wall or any potential safety hazards, wait until the room is completely safe for your child. Be sure to cover electrical outlets and wrap any chords. Lock cabinets and drawers. Secure all furniture to the wall to protect your little one.
Sign #7: Your Child is Unable to Self-Soothe
If your child is unable to calm themselves down at night, you may want to wait to buy a toddler bed. Being able to self-soothe and fall asleep on their own is important if they’re getting their own bed. Persistent crying or needing a parent to soothe them to sleep may mean they’re not yet ready for a big kid bed.
Sign #8: Your Child is Uninterested
If your toddler is uninterested in a big bed, there’s no need to rush. Especially if they’re under the weight and height limit for their crib and sleep comfortably in their crib mattress, waiting may be a good idea. When your child is ready for a big kid bed, they will make that very clear. Waiting until they show interest keeps the transition positive and exciting and can help minimize bumps in the road. If you make this transition before they are ready, you could negatively impact their sleep schedule and create unnecessary sleep issues by accident!
Sign #9: There’s a Major Life Change
Introducing the freedom of a big bed will likely come with pushed boundaries. The transition will require extra patience on your end while they adjust. If you’re in a period of transition yourself (new baby, moving, returning to work, etc.) you may need to stick with the smooth, tantrum-free bedtimes that you and your toddler have worked together to get to. Your child will likely be experiencing extra emotions in any transition as well. The familiarity of staying inside of the crib may help prevent overwhelm for both you and your toddler.
Signs Your Child is Ready For A Toddler Bed
While there are many reasons your child may not be ready to move to a bed, there are certainly signs that they are ready to move:
- Your child is not sensitive to changes in sleep environment
- Your child is developmentally able to understand the concept of staying in their room or the concept of an ok to wake clock
- Your child can remain in their room safely when alone and can follow instructions
How to Make the Transition Easier
If it’s not the right time yet to switch your toddler to a big kid bed, there are many ways to help keep them in their crib. It will truly make your own life easier waiting until they are ready.
Consistency
A bedtime routine is essential to building healthy sleep habits for your little one. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that an estimated 20-30% of infants and toddlers have sleep problems. Bedtime routines encourage self-care practices, parent-child bonding, a sense of security, and have been shown to positively impact behavior. Having a consistent routine that will stay the same regardless of what bed they’re in will provide your little one with peace and familiarity during a time of many milestones and changes. Having a nighttime routine will help prepare your child to be more receptive when the time comes for them to transition out of their crib.
Use a Sleep Sack
A sleep sack can help keep your child from moving around too much. So they can stay safe and get a better night’s sleep.
Lower Mattress in Crib
Adjusting the mattress to the lowest setting is recommended before your toddler is able to stand on their own.
Remove Extra Items in the Crib
Toys, blankets, and any extra objects in the crib can be used by your toddler as a stepping stool to climb outside of bed. Removing any extra items from the crib is recommended for their safety.
Set Boundaries
Making clear expectations and holding your child accountable can help them understand that getting out of their crib isn’t acceptable. Every child is different. And boundaries will become easier for them to follow as you and your little one learn and grow together. While setting boundaries, give your child space to make independent choices. Involve your child in the process and the rules.
Convertible Crib
Convertible cribs are an investment, however it may be worth it to make the transition smoother for you. A convertible crib adapts as your child grows bigger. Once you’ve transitioned your child from a crib, it can convert into a toddler bed, a twin bed, and even a full-sized bed.
Parenting is hard. Parenting a toddler can feel suffocating, BUT you are not alone. It truly takes a village. Each child has unique needs to best support their development. Don’t compare your child’s journey to anyone else’s!
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your toddler having difficulty self-soothing for naps and nights? If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts, Central Michigan (Midland, Clare, Mt. Pleasant) and Traverse City, Michigan. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
Hear what this mom had to say about our toddler sleep support program:
“Danielle has changed my family’s life, I’m not even exaggerating. My 2.5 year old son had never gone to sleep on his own. My husband or I would rock him for upwards of two hours every night before he would finally (or hopefully) be asleep enough for us to sneak him into his crib. Nearly every night he would wake up crying and would end up in bed with us. Or one of us would sleep the rest of the night with him on the couch.
When I heard about Danielle from my sister, I really thought we were past helping but I thought I would give it a shot. After a phone consultation she sent us a sleep plan with two different plans for me to choose from. It was clear to me that Danielle has a lot of expertise in this field and was very kind, down to earth, and nonjudgmental. She answered all of my questions thoroughly. Once we began sleep training, she was there for me all along the way (sometimes texting late into the night to make sure we were doing ok, giving advice on what to do, and just being a reassuring voice that we can do this!).
I am telling you I was so skeptical but by the third night he was hardly crying at all when we would put him in the crib AWAKE! By the end of the first week he was going to bed in his crib and not crying at all. I truly didn’t think that this could or would happen let alone for it to take less than a week!!! He now sleeps through the night every night and goes to bed without a fuss. I very highly recommend this sleep consultation service! If you are struggling with your child’s sleep habits (or lack thereof) like I was, talk to Danielle and be prepared for her to change your life” – Mom of a 2.5 year old