Transitioning from Crib to Toddler Bed

Many parents are ready to ditch the crib and get their kid in a toddler bed but there are definitely some things that you need to know first.

There are so many different tips that I can give you about transitioning your child to a toddler bed

If your child is using a tot clock before they transition to a toddler bed they will already know what the colors on the clock mean. What I love about the tot clock is that your child is not only learning their colors, but it’s also reinforcing what each color means on their clock. With the My Tot Clock brand, the blue is for bed and yellow is for wake up so always tell the kids, “blue is for bed” and then “yellow = you get up with the sun.” [Only the sun on the clock NOT the sun in the sky because sometimes the sun rises at 5am and that’s not happening.] If you get your child used to the tot clock before you make this transition, your child is going to learn and understand that they need to stay in their bed and that they’re not just getting freedom of the whole house just because they’re in a bed now.

Here are some signs to know that your child is ready for this transition:

• If they’re climbing out of their crib consistently- more than just a ONE TIME thing. If they climb out of the crib after you’ve tried different tricks to get them to stay in the crib then obviously, from a safety standpoint, you need to make the transition to a toddler bed.
  
• Make sure that it’s the correct timing. You do not want to make this transition when you are having other transitions in your life; if you’re having a new baby, if you’re potty training, if you’re moving to a new house, if your child is starting at a new school it’s not time to make this transition. Another huge one is that if you are weaning from breastfeeding it is not time to make this transition. Weaning from breastfeeding is a very physical, emotional, mental transition so trying to make the nursing transition while transitioning into a toddler bed it’s just not going to be a good combination you’re going to end up with a lot of big emotions.
  
• If your child is ASKING for a big bed, it could be the right time! But your child needs to also understand the rules and expectations of having a big kid bed.

• Do you have a crib where you can just take off the front rail of the crib and put up a toddler rail?
• Do you have a mattress that you’re just going to put on the floor Montessori-style?
• Are you going to get twin bed and put that up on a twin frame?
• Are you going to use a full-size bed?
• Of course there’s also race car beds or a princess bed!

I know it sounds silly, but I want you to point out beds when you’re looking at books, when you’re watching shows or movies, whatever it might be… but also checking out bigger beds in your own house, in family and friends houses and just pointing out, “this is a big bed!” Or, “Grandma sleeps in a big bed and you’re going to sleep in a big bed soon too!” You can get in the bed and feel it and see that it’s comfortable – just as comfortable as the crib – and just get the idea in their head that eventually they’re going to be sleeping in this big bed.

• What bed sheets do they want to put on their new big?
• What pillowcase do they want on their big new bed?
• What kind of comforter?
• What stuffed animals do they want to have on their bed?

Show them how to make a bed! If you start teaching them at a young age to make their bed, then MAYBE they’ll start making their bed every day.

This is a huge one. Make sure that any furniture is bolted to the walls. Also, make sure you have baby gates at the stairs + door safety knobs on bathrooms, medicine cabinets, linen closet + stairs + windows + locks on doors, etc. Make sure that you have any furniture bolted to the walls, specifically in your child’s room and make sure that you have no cords to blinds or anything hanging down that may become a strangulation risk.

I know this sounds odd, but a lot of parents will want to change the entire bedroom around, but that could betoo much of a change for your child all at once. When they’ve adjusted to the new bed and new expectations and the new bed has been in the same place for a couple weeks, you can move some other things around and get fancy with it!

Keep the same routine at bedtime! The only thing that’s different is the bed. You want to make sure that you’re doing all the same things, in the same order that you usually do so that your child is seeing that this is a change, but everything else remains the same You want this to be an easy transition for your child and you don’t want them to feel like there is anything to stress about.

You can write out bedtime rules or you can use my bedtime routine cards. If you don’t have them, I HIGHLY recommend that you get them. They are free- you can download them, print them, laminate them, hang them up at your child’s eye level so they can point to what they’re doing in their bedtime routine. Make sure that you are keeping your expectations very consistent and make sure that you’re keeping your expectations communicated with your child.

It’s also important to make sure your child knows what the consequence is going to be if they disobey the rules at bedtime. They should also know what the reward is going to be when they do follow the rules!

This can be as simple as a morning parade after a great night of bedtime. This could be a simple sticker chart, a prize bin, or a special breakfast- whatever it may be just make sure that you have some sort of reward system in place.

Make sure your child is actually there and that they are a part of the actual transition process. You want to make sure that they are there seeing you take apart the crib because then they’re really connecting the dots that “the crib is gone and now I have this bed and this is where I sleep.” So have them help you! And honestly, it’s a really cute experience when you see a little toddler taking apart their crib and helping you put up a big kid bed.

Don’t forget to download my bedtime routine cards – I have had so many compliments about these routine cards. Not only are you getting my bedtime routine cards, but you’re also getting my morning routine cards!

Keep Blooming,
Missy Yandow