Is It Time To Move My Toddler To A Toddler Bed?

Your baby will spend many months sleeping in her crib. During the first few months, the mattress can stay in the highest position and your little one will sleep peacefully with little movement. As she becomes more mobile, she will begin to get up on her hands and knees and will soon sit up unassisted. Once your baby begins to pull up and is close to taking her first steps, the crib mattress should be in its lowest position. Very soon after this, your little one will be graduating from her crib and will be ready to move into her own toddler bed.

Once your baby can climb out of her crib, or when her chest is higher than the side rail with the mattress in the lowest position, it is time to move to a toddler bed. For most children, this time comes between 18 months and two years old. Just because your child is ready for a toddler bed doesn’t mean it will be an easy transition. Moving to a big kid bed can be very intimidating to a young child.

Toddler beds are the best choice when you move your little one from her crib because these beds are the same size as the crib she has is accustomed to sleeping in. Toddler beds are low to the ground to prevent injuries if your little one rolls out and are easy to use with side rails that protect from falls. Standard sized beds are often scary to a toddler just leaving the cozy confines of a crib.

When it comes time to make the move, make it a big celebration. Let your toddler pick out her favorite sheets and pillows for the new bed and have her invite her favorite crib toys to join her. For familiarity, place the toddler bed in the same place as the crib and follow the same bedtime routine your little one is already used to. If your child is afraid of falling out of bed, you may try placing the mattress on the floor until she feels more comfortable.

If you have difficulties after the first few nights with the new toddler bed, take it slowly. During the day, put your little one down for a nap in her big kid bed to help her become more familiar with it. At night, let her continue to sleep in the crib. Once she is comfortable napping in her toddler bed, try another night in it.

Many times, it is necessary to graduate your little one to a toddler bed because the crib is needed for a baby on the way. In this case, be sure to introduce the toddler bed as far in advance of the baby as possible to avoid any resentment from your toddler towards her new sibling and to ensure she is comfortable in her bed before the baby needs the crib.

The move to a toddler bed is a big deal for both parents and children. Be patient with your little one if she has trouble at first. Remember that the move may not be easy to begin with, but with your support and consistency, your toddler will soon love sleeping in her big kid bed.

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