Transitioning out of the Crib

Making the transition from a crib to a bed can either feel like a blessing or a curse.  It can be a bittersweet time as your baby outgrows one more thing from infancy.  Transitions can be made easier for toddlers and parents alike by intentionally taking the time to plan ahead.  

Important things to understand about toddlers & what this means for moving out of a crib

Toddlers like to know the boundaries and house rules.

• The small size and physical boundaries of a crib help little ones feel safe and secure.  When choosing a bed for your toddler, consider something that isn’t huge in comparison and still offers some physical boundary to give your child that cozy feeling he/she desires. Going from a crib to a queen size bed for example, might feel too overwhelming for a toddler.  Some parents find their child suddenly struggles with sleep because they have too much space too soon.  

Toddlers like to know what to expect. 

• Moving from a crib to a bed means your child all of a sudden can get out of bed on their own and has access to things they didn’t before.  Talking about the rules and expectations of staying in bed until you signal it’s time to get up is an important pre-transition step.  One tool that can make a big difference in helping toddlers learn to stay in bed during nap time and nighttime is the wake-up light.  The wake-up light is a special nightlight that turns on at a set time, cuing your toddler that it is “morning” and an acceptable time to get up.  Introducing a wake-up light to your toddler BEFORE transitioning out of the crib is the ideal way to help them get used to the routine and can make moving into a bed a lot easier.  

Toddlers like closure.

• Going from a crib to a bed is a big deal.  Talking about it with your toddler and being open to whatever their feelings about the change are can help them have some closure.  

• There are a couple different approaches you can take when transitioning your toddler to a new bed.  The first option is to have a definitive time when you make the switch by having one last night in the crib before fully transitioning to the new bed.  This first approach requires choosing a day, talking about it with your toddler and explaining what to expect moving forward and then committing to the new plan.  The second option is to gradually transition by starting to introduce the new bed at either nap or bedtime for a while before making the full switch.  Whichever approach you feel is best for your family and most respectful of your toddler, be sure to include them in the conversation and acknowledge their emotions, whatever they may be. 

Toddlers like routine. 

• Keeping your nap time and bedtime routines during this transition is crucial in helping your child adjust to the change with as little stress and sleep regression as possible.  Young children cling to familiarity and will appreciate knowing that although one thing has changed, the other aspects of their pre-sleep routine are still there, helping to usher them into a calm state of rest.  

Toddlers like to make choices. 

• If you’ve ever met a toddler, you know full well that they like to make choices and have some control over their daily life.  Including your child in the process of moving from crib to bed can help them more readily accept the change.  

• Examples of appropriate toddler choices:

  • Helping choose a new bed from the selection given by the parents 

  • Choosing bedding

  • Giving input on location of new bed in their bedroom

When stressed, toddlers find security in the familiar.

• This final consideration is very important and often misunderstood.  When babies and toddlers take a step forward in development, they often take a step back when feeling overwhelmed or stressed.  Sometimes it can make parents confused or worried that their child won’t make progress anymore.  Take a deep breath, this is normal.  Calmly observing and following your child’s lead can give your child the reassurance they are looking for without making them feel pressured or like they have disappointed you.  You’ll probably notice that your child “regresses” for a short while and then is ready to move forward once again.  This might be seen in your toddler’s sudden desire to go back in the crib after weeks of excitement over their new bed.  This is ok.  It doesn’t mean they don’t like the new bed anymore.  If you don’t make a big deal of their sudden change in preference they are more likely to sense your confidence in their ability to meet their needs and move on when they are ready.  

Safety considerations

Always consider safety when choosing a bed for your child.  This can come in the form of having a toddler railing and bed that is close to the ground.

Without the boundaries of the crib, your child might now have access to things in their room or in the house that are unsafe.  Carefully make note of any and all safety precautions that need to be addressed before making the transition.    

*Don’t feel the need to rush your child out of the crib before it’s necessary.  Keeping nap time routines going, well into toddlerhood, is a lot easier when your child is still in a crib.  Some families find that waiting until their toddler climbs out of the crib on their own or is around age three an ideal time to make the transition.