Children move through different stages of life, and as they do we celebrate their milestones. One of these milestones is moving from a crib to a toddler bed, which is an exciting change for both parents and little ones.
Here’s some advice to help you know when and how to get a toddler bed, and how to start transitioning your child out of the crib to sleep each night.
Toddler Bed Age Recommendations
As a general rule, most children move out of their cribs and into a toddler bed between the ages of 18 months and 3.5 years. However, parenting experts recommend keeping kids in the crib until they are about 2.5 or three years old.
Just because a very young child is trying to climb out of the crib does not mean that the child is ready for a kid’s toddler bed. If you have a 1.5 to two-year-old who keeps trying to make a jailbreak, try lowering the crib mattress to the lowest possible position. Removing toys that can be used to assist the climb may also help, but you should place pillows on the floor around the crib for safety just in case.
Other Considerations for When to Get a Toddler Bed
Every child is unique and makes the transition from the crib to the toddler bed in his or her own time. It’s important to take note of warning signs that your child is ready to make the switch, such as asking to be moved to a real bed, trying to sleep in spare adult-size beds, or consistently climbing over the edges of the crib. A child who reaches three feet tall should also likely be moved to a toddler bed that is better suited to the child’s size.
The best time to transition to a kid’s toddler bed is often when there is not something else major changing in the child’s life. This may mean perhaps delaying the transition until after daycare has already started, a new sibling is slowly welcomed into the home, or a little while after moving into a new house.
Transition Crib to Bed Tips for Success
It’s never a good idea to rush the process of moving a child from a crib to a toddler bed because this can be a scary and unsettling process for some children. Plan to take your child toddler-bed-shopping with you so that he or she can be involved in choosing new bedding and pillows to help the new space feel cozy and fun. Also, try to keep a normal bedtime routine during this transition to minimize the newness of the situation.
While shopping for a big kid bed, keep in mind how quickly your child grows and be mindful that it might be a good idea to get a larger size bed so that your child can use it for several years to come. You’ll want to find a toddler bed that is sturdy, low to the ground, and equipped with rails for safety. Stick to simple designs, and make sure to fully childproof the bedroom so that electric outlets, dresser corners, blind cords, and lamps don’t pose dangers to your young child.
Where to Shop for a Big Kid Bed
The Brick isn’t just a furniture store for adults; it’s the top spot for children’s furniture too! We have a safe, reliable, and beautiful collection of baby and toddler furniture in stock, including cribs, toddler beds, nursing chairs, dressers, changing tables, guard rails, and more. Some of our cribs can even be turned into full-sized beds with a conversion kit to make the most of your bedding investment.
We’d love to help you and your child pick out a toddler age bed that you’ll both love. Please contact us if you have any questions or use our handy store locator to visit The Brick store nearest you.
