The babies are curious. They will grow up to become curious and adventurous toddlers. When your baby starts to move by himself by crawling, half of the furniture and the home space will like a danger. Wait till toddlerhood and you will see your little one converting your house to an adventure park.
At that point, you will wonder if it is safe enough to let your toddler sleep and nap in his crib. The safety railing of the crib looks like a mountain to the toddlers and tempts them to climb up. Therefore, it is always a good idea to move your toddler to a toddler bed before he hurts himself.
Sleeping in a toddler bed is a major milestone in your child’s life. It will be a big deal to your kid and also to you. But, there are also risks of moving your toddler to a bed too early. Then, what is the right time to initiate this transition? Keep reading this article and you will know when to move your toddler to a bed, how to make a smooth transition and what to look for in a toddler bed.
CONTENT
2. When is it the right time to move my toddler to a bed?
3. What are the signs that my toddler is ready to sleep in a toddler bed?
4. How to switch my toddler from the crib to the bed?
5. What to consider before buying a toddler bed?
1. What is a toddler bed?
A toddler bed is a low bed with a mattress equals to the size of a crib. So, you have the option to continue using the crib mattress on the toddler bed. Some parents prefer to go directly to a twin bed. If you are purchasing a twin bed, make sure it is low with no safety risks to your toddler.
2. When is it the right time to move my toddler to a bed?
There is no carved-in-stone type of time limits when it comes to the milestones in a baby’s life. Some toddlers will be ready to sleep in a bed around the age of eighteen months. Some kids will need to sleep in a crib until about thirty months of age to ensure their safety. As a pediatrician, I have known healthy and happy toddlers who have been sleeping in cribs even after their third birthday.
As long as you are sure that your baby is safe in the crib, there is no rush to move to a bed. Letting your baby sleep in a crib for long will never make you a bad parent. You love your baby, and you are concerned about their comfort and safety. Therefore, it is totally up to decide the time for the transition to a big boy bed. But watch out for the signs that your toddler has grown out of the crib.
3. What are the signs that my toddler is ready to sleep in a toddler bed?
Although there is no exact time to move your toddler to a toddler bed, some signs will tell you that it is no longer safe for your baby to sleep in his crib. That is when you should consider arranging a toddler bed for your child. If your child shows any of these behavioral signs, move them to a big bed even if they are below the recommended age range for a toddler bed.
- Climbing out of the crib
This is when most of the parents realize that they have to buy a toddler bed. It is risky to leave your toddler in the crib when they can climb out from the crib as they can fall off and hurt themselves. This is riskier if they try to climb out from the crib at night while it is dark in the room. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your toddler should move to a bed when they are almost 90 cm tall. This is when your toddler is tall enough to try escaping from the crib. It means that the crib is now a safety hazard to him, and he should no longer be allowed to sleep in it.
- No longer fit to the crib
If your child is tall enough to touch the ends of the crib easily when he is sleeping, it is time to move to a toddler bed. But this will not be a problem if the crib can be adjusted. Some cribs can be adjusted to the size of a toddler bed. If you own one of these convertible beds, there will not be a need to switch to a new toddler bed.
- Potty training
When your toddler is sleeping in the crib, he cannot leave the crib easily to reach the bathroom during the night. So, it is better to start potty training with a toddler bed. Your toddler will have the confidence that he can reach the bathroom when he needs and prevent accidents.
If your baby is older than eighteen months and you are expecting another baby, then you can switch your toddler to a bed as it is not necessary to purchase another crib. Even if your purchase two cribs, your toddler will grow out of them soon. So it is better to switch your toddler to a toddler bed and use the crib for the newborn.
4. How to switch my toddler from the crib to the bed?
- Make it exciting
Instead of purchasing a toddler bed and placing it in the toddler’s room at once, discuss with him first. Toddlers love to have control and make decisions. So, talking with them and letting them decide when to switch or what color bed to purchase will make the transition easier. Encourage them by communicating that they are moving to a new bed because they have grown up enough to sleep in a bed like their parents’ or siblings’
- Start by taking naps in the bed.
Your toddler will not be comfortable spending the night in his new bed at once. Therefore, start by taking naps in the toddler bed. Once they are familiar with the toddler bed, discuss with him to spend the night in it. When he sleeps through the night in the toddler bed, appreciate them.
- Maintain the routine
Transition to the toddler bed should not affect the bedtime routine and the sleep schedule of your toddler. Follow the usual bedtime routine he is used to and put him to bed at the same time. Sleeping in the toddler bed itself is a big change to him, and a change in the bedtime routine will only worsen the situation.
- Allow the soothers on the bed.
Let your toddler have his favorite toy, blanket, or pillow in his new bed. If there are too many favorite toys, give him the chance to pick the ones who get the privilege of spending the night with him on the bed. Having a soother like a toy will help your toddler to adapt to the new sleeping environment soon.
5. What to consider before buying a toddler bed?
- It should have a frame that can fit a standard-size crib mattress. If the crib mattress you have does not fit into the frame, buy a mattress that fits. Any gap between the mattress and the frame can lead to an entrapment hazard.
- The bed should be sturdy. The toddler bed should be strong and last long without a safety issue.
- It must have side rails or should have the option to attach them.
- The best should have a smooth finish, rounded edges, and no parts that can poke your little one.
- Check for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification. You can find this sticker on the packaging for any toddler bed and safety rails. It confirms the product has met the safety standards.
Following are some of my toddler bed recommendations. The first model is what I used with my boys. Other toddler beds are also loved and recommended by parents around the world.
- Best Overall – Delta Children MySize Toddler Bed
This is the bed I used with three of my boys. The bed matched perfectly with the theme of their room. I also loved the design of it because of the safety it provides. This bed is constructed using high-quality wood materials and non-toxic finishes. It has 11 cross slats and a center leg across the base, so the bed frame is sturdy and durable.
- Best Value – Orbelle 3-6T Toddler Bed
This bed is made of solid wood and has exposed hardware for an industrial look. It has a maximum weight recommendation of 60 pounds and is lightweight.
- Best Luxury – Modern Nursery Oeuf Perch Toddler Bed
This bed has a low profile and includes a safety rail for extra security. The gaps on both sides of the safety rail give enough room for children to get in and out of bed without help. The safety rail can be removed, and the bed can be used as a kids’ sofa.
- Best Convertible Bed – Serta Barrett 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
This be is built from dense New Zealand pine and is designed to grow with the baby. The bed can be converted from a crib to a toddler bed, a daybed, or a full-size bed to accommodate your fast-growing baby.