When to Convert Crib to a Toddler Bed?

It may be hard to believe, but your baby or toddler may be ready to switch from a crib to a toddler bed.

Whether your toddler is trying to climb out of their crib, or they just seem too big to be contained within four sides, transitioning to a toddler bed and giving your toddler more freedom is a milestone that can be both exciting and daunting––for you and your little one.

In this article we discuss when it may be time to convert your baby’s crib to a toddler bed, signs they may be ready, and important safety tips to ensure a smooth transition.

When to Convert a Crib to a Toddler Bed?

It’s common for toddlers to be ready to transition from a crib to a toddler bed between 1.5 years old and 3 years old. What makes a toddler ready to move out of their crib depends on a few things, including their height and size, whether they are trying to climb out of their crib, and if they are showing interest in sleeping in a “big kid” bed. It can depend on your unique child and if they still seem comfortable in their crib.

Some toddlers sleep in their cribs well into toddlerhood, with the crib set to the lowest setting to ensure safety. Many parents prefer their toddler to sleep in a crib for as long as possible, since a toddler bed means your toddler has more freedom to (potentially) get into mischief.

Signs Your Toddler is Ready to Switch to Toddler Bed

There are multiple signs and reasons to switch your toddler to a toddler bed.

Signs they may be ready for a toddler bed include:

• Outgrowing Their Crib: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend converting the crib a toddler bed when your child is 35 inches tall or when the crib side reaches their nipple level. Also, it’s unsafe to sleep in a crib that’s too small, so if your toddler is too tall or heavy, it’s time to convert the crib.

• Climbing Out of Crib: It can be dangerous for your toddler to climb out of their crib. If they are attempting to climb out of their crib, or are successfully climbing out of their crib, it’s likely safer to transition them to a toddler bed to avoid falls. You can try to prevent climbing out of the crib by lowering the mattress, moving the crib to a corner, dressing them in a sleep sack, or being extra stern with your rules.

• Follows Basic Rules: A sign your baby is developmentally ready to transition from a crib to a toddler bed is if they can follow simple directions and understand safety rules, such as not to jump on the couch.

• Asks for a Big Kid Bed: If your toddler asks you for a toddler bed, it may mean they are ready. Your toddler may start verbally expressing interest in a toddler bed around age three. If their friends have toddler beds they may show more interest. It’s an exciting moment for them and can be celebrated as such.

Many parents decide to transition their toddler to a toddler bed if there is another baby on the way, to avoid buying a second crib. If your toddler is mature enough to sleep in a toddler bed and it seems safe, then this makes sense.

Tips for Transitioning to Toddler Bed

Transitioning your baby from a crib to a toddler bed is part of their developmental growth. While many toddlers may be ready for a toddler bed, it still can be a transition––a new sleep space and newfound freedom to get out of bed and leave their room at their leisure can require some adjustment and ground rules.

Tips to make the transition to a toddler bed smoother include:

1. Set the Bed Up Right: Many cribs are built to convert into a toddler bed. If yours doesn't, choose a toddler bed or a low twin-size bed with safety rails to prevent falls. If converting a crib, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Putting the toddler bed in a corner can help it feel cozier, like a crib.

2. Introduce it Slowly: Letting your toddler explore their new bed and sleep space during the day can help them become more used to, and excited for, the idea of sleeping in a toddler bed. If possible, start with naps in the toddler bed before moving to the night––this probably only makes sense if you had to purchase a new bed. Some kids do well with sleeping on a mattress on the floor to get used to being out of their crib.

3. Remove Hazards: Ensure the room is safe by installing safety gates on doors and securing furniture to prevent tipping. Keep cords, small objects, and other potential hazards out of reach.

4. Stick With Your Routine: Maintain consistency with your bedtime routine even as you make this big change. Follow the same bedtime routine you did when your baby sleeps in a crib––consistency helps your toddler feel comfortable and secure. Also don't introduce new unhealthy sleep habits as your toddler gets used to their new sleep space. If you’ve previously sleep trained your toddler, you can revisit that approach to support them as they become used to sleeping in their new bed.

5. Praise: Positive reinforcement can help your toddler feel proud and excited about their new transition to a toddler bed. If they are hesitant about the transition, offering praise can help provide encouragement and get them used to it.

If your toddler is struggling with transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed, download the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers^™ app to get a step-by-step plan for making the transition easier. This includes telling you the exact time to put your toddler to bed so that when they hit the pillow, they fall asleep––reducing the chance they’ll get out of bed.

Toddler Bed Safety

Like with anything involving baby sleep, ensuring your toddler’s bed and sleep space is set up safely is incredibly important. Now that your toddler can technically get in and out of their bed whenever they want, baby sleep safety and keeping their room free of hazards is just as important as ensuring their actual bed is set up safely.

• Remove Hazards: Keep cords and electrical outlets secured safely, remove any crib toys that may pose a strangulation hazard, remove small items that could be a choking hazard, and secure or get rid of heavy or breakable things such as lamps, and make sure there are no cleaning supplies in their reach. If you have a toy chest, make sure it’s hard to open so they can’t get into it without you there. Make sure to secure the furniture.

• Keep Bed Away from Window: Toddler beds or cribs should not be placed near windows, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that window shades are kept cordless to prevent any risk of strangulation.

• Put a Gate on the Stairs: Now that your toddler can get in and out of their toddler bed whenever they want, chances are they’ll want to leave their room, too. If their bedroom is on an upper floor, adding a gate to the top of the stairs can help ensure your toddler doesn’t accidentally fall down the stairs when they leave their room.

• Add Guardrails: Switching from a crib to a bed without four sides can be daunting. Especially if your toddler moves in their sleep, guardrails on the side of their bed can help keep them from falling out. They will still have the freedom to exit and enter their toddler bed, but when sleeping, they most likely will stay put. Putting the toddler bed in the corner can help as well, since the two extra walls will help keep them in bed.

• Transition from a Toddler Bed to Regular Bed When it’s Time: Like with the crib, your toddler may grow out of the toddler bed by around 4 or 5 years old. It depends on how big your toddler is but check the manufacturer’s instructions which should include size limitations. Sometimes parents skip the toddler bed and go right to a bigger bed to limit another transition. The choice is yours!

The Bottom Line

Your toddler won’t sleep in their crib forever. It’s a big moment for your entire family when your child switches to a toddler bed, and being proactive about making the transition from crib to toddler bed can make the process easier and safer for everyone.

If your toddler is struggling with sleep after moving to a toddler bed, take this free 3-minute sleep quiz to see if any simple tweak to their routine or schedule can help ease the transition.