Are you ready to shop for new furniture, or is your child letting you know it’s time?
If you are like most families, the move from crib to bed feels fast. One day your child is sleeping soundly and waits in the morning to be lifted out, and the next, your little one is toppling over the rail and darting to the drawers to empty their contents. Surprise! They learned a new skill!
There are several ways you can transition your child out of a crib, but there is usually one huge sign that its time – your child can crawl out of their crib on their own.
That’s right. There isn’t a special sleep milestone that is reached that precludes this move. And for many, it may feel like it’s too soon. While there is no precise time, the general age range for this move is ages 1-3.
Making this change will have you looking at their room, and maybe the whole house, differently. Is your child’s room kid-proof? Meaning, are dressers secured to walls? Are choking hazards out of reach? If your child opens the door, are there gates on the stairs? Are you ok with your child having access to ALL THE THINGS?
If you have a child who is not interested in trying to get out of their crib unaided, you will most likely have more time to make this choice. And don’t rush the move. This is something your child can absolutely lead the way.
Some Options For Transition
- Some cribs are designed to transition to a toddler bed. The pros of this are you have all the parts you need, and the bedding still fits! Along with logistical benefits, your child will recognize this space even in its new form.
- Forgo the new frame, and put the crib mattress directly on the floor. The useful part of this option is your child will be close to the floor, so if they are young, that can offer you, the caregiver, some peace of mind.
- Move to a toddler bed. A toddler bed is a small frame, off the floor, that still uses a crib mattress. They sometimes will have guards on the sides to help keep your child in the bed.
- Transition directly to a twin bed, or larger. When moving to a full-size bed, consider how your child could readily get into and out of bed. Also, you know your child best, so make safety arrangements based on that information. Do they roll around? Do they wake up often and find you? Adding a few night lights may be a part of the change.
Changing sleeping arrangements may upset any routine, so be sure to give new arrangements some time and extra attention for the first few days.
This is an exciting milestone for you and your child!
