Transitioning Your Toddler From the Crib to the Bed

Is your toddler ready to graduate from a crib to a bed? If you're wondering when to transition your toddler to a bed, this can be an exciting milestone for your “big kid,” who may enjoy their new status and freedom. However, this may also mean more work for you: choosing the right type of bed for your little one, getting them to stay in bed all night, creating a safe sleep environment, and taking additional steps to help ease this transition. Read all about how, when, and what to do as the time comes to transition your toddler from crib to bed.

When to Transition Your Toddler From a Crib to a Bed

If you're wondering when to transition to toddler bed, consider your child's height and abilities. When your child reaches about three feet tall, you can start having them use a bed instead of a crib. Another telltale sign that it’s time to transition is if they’re able to climb out of the crib even with the crib mattress at the lowest setting. This typically happens around the age of 2 or 3.

How to Make Transitioning Your Toddler From a Crib to a Bed Easier

For some toddlers, the transition from crib to bed may go smoothly, as it gives them a sense of being a “big kid.” Other toddlers may need more help to make the switch. If you're unsure how to introduce a toddler bed, it’s best to keep the same bedtime routine you’ve established in infanthood to make the change feel less extreme.

Of course, a major difference between sleeping in a “big kid” bed and a crib is that a bed doesn’t have sides, and your child will have been used to being surrounded by sides in the crib. Here are two ways you can make this new sleeping environment more comfortable for your child:

• Place the mattress on the floor. You can start with a small mattress, like a twin mattress or even the one from the crib, placed on the floor as a sleeping surface. Many kids during the transition tend to roll out of bed onto the floor anyway, so this helps keep your child safe. Eventually, you can introduce a bed frame when your child is better at staying on the bed.

• Use a guard rail. This can help your child feel safe and secure on the new bed.

What Type of Bed to Use

There are various options when it comes to transitioning your toddler from a crib to a bed:

1. You could take the crib mattress out of the crib and place it on the floor until you decide on a more permanent solution.

2. If the baby crib is convertible, you could remove the sides and convert it into a toddler bed following the manufacturer’s instructions.

3. You could purchase a bed specifically designed for toddlers that can be adjusted in length and width.

4. You could transition to a twin bed, with the mattress placed on the floor at first, and later placed into a bed frame.

Reinforcing the "Stay in Your Bed" Rule

It’s finally happened: Your little one has graduated to a bed! However, this new sleeping arrangement might be nerve-racking for you, especially if climbing out of bed in the middle of the night and wandering off might be involved.

Check out the following advice to help keep your toddler in bed, and to help them get back to bed if they get up and wander during the night:

How to Keep Your Toddler in Bed When Transitioning From a Crib

Here are some guidelines for keeping your toddler in bed:

1. Tell your child they need to stay in bed unless they - have finished sleeping in the morning (learn more about toddler sleep here) - have finished napping in the afternoon (check out nap schedules here) - need to use the bathroom during the night.

2. Discourage them from joining you in your bed or staying up late with other family members.

3. If they have a favorite stuffed animal or soft toy, include the toy in the bedtime routine so they can associate it with a feeling of comfort and safety. Plus, tell them that if they wake up in the middle of the night, they can cuddle the toy to help them fall back asleep.

4. Use a night-light in your toddler’s bedroom—this way they won’t wake up in the middle of the night to see a scary pitch-black room.

How to Help Your Toddler Get Back to Bed

Follow this step-by-step approach for getting your toddler back into bed if they’ve climbed out and wandered off:

1. Take your child's hand and lead them back to bed and tell them that they need to stay in bed.

2. Avoid singing a lullaby, telling a story, rubbing their back, or lying in bed with them until they fall asleep, as this—or any type of prolonged interaction—rewards them with attention for having gotten out of bed.

3. Assure them that you will come back periodically to check on them during the night—this reassurance may provide some comfort.

4. Before you leave the room, remind them that the rule is to stay in bed. Wish them good night and tell them you’ll see them in the morning.

You may need to repeat some of these steps several times in a single night. The best piece of advice is to remain calm and keep your interactions brief and low-key, even boring, and not reward your child with too much attention. Consistency and sensitivity can help you put an end to nighttime escapes and enforce the rules of staying in bed.

If your toddler manages to stay in bed throughout the night, pile on the praise in the morning. Tell them how proud you are and how proud they should feel that they slept through the night in their own bed.

If your toddler’s still struggling with the transition from crib to bed, or if you have any other sleep-related questions, download the Smart Sleep Coach app by Pampers. This easy-to-use app offers everything you need to know to easily transition your baby to their big kid bed as well as tools and other helpful sleep-related information. Get it here.

Note on Childproofing and Safety

It isn’t always possible to keep your toddler from climbing out of bed at night and wandering around. Therefore, childproofing your toddler’s room is a good idea before they become more mobile and independent. Here are some ways to childproof your toddler’s bedroom before transitioning from a crib to a bed:

• Install a baby gate on the bedroom door so that they don’t leave their room at night without your knowledge.

• If their bedroom is located on the second floor of the house, make sure a baby gate is installed at the top of the stairs to prevent them from falling down the stairs.

• Keep the area around the bed clear of furniture or large toys that they could use for climbing out or that they could bump into as they make their escape.

• Use wall anchors on large pieces of furniture and childproof latches and locks on cabinet doors and chests of drawers.

The Bottom Line

Transitioning your toddler from a crib to a bed is a time of change. Your child may enjoy the freedom of moving from an enclosed crib to a wide-open bed. However, this period can come with challenges, including your child climbing out of bed at night and wandering off—in most cases to find you!

Before starting this transition, decide on the type of bed you’d like for your toddler, and whether you’d like to start with the mattress on the floor before putting the mattress into a bed frame and using a guard rail.

Make sure your child’s bedroom isn’t hazardous by anchoring heavy pieces of furniture to the wall and using childproof locks on cabinet doors and drawers. If you think you’ll have a climber on your hands, make sure the area around the bed is free of large toys or furniture that your little one could use to climb out.

Set rules for helping your toddler understand the importance of staying in bed. If they do climb out, take them back to bed and tell them that they need to stay in bed. Assure them that you’ll check on them now and then. When the morning comes, praise them for sleeping in their own bed.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}