Most people begin moving their children from the crib to a big kid bed between the ages of two and three, but there’s no perfect date. You’ll have to decide when your child is ready to make the switch. Some kids are eager for the new phase in their life, but others develop anxiety and insecurities. Here’s how you can help your child manage the transition.
Shop for the Bed Together
Anytime you ask your kids to make a transition to a decision, it always helps if they have some “skin in the game.” Let your child play an active role in the bed by shopping together. Select some beds that meet your requirements and let your child make the final decision. This will allow them to feel ownership and control over the transition.
Maintain the Room’s Placement
Don’t take this as an opportunity to redesign the layout of your child’s room. You can reduce the stress of the transition by placing the bed exactly where the crib used to be (or as close as possible depending on the size and shape of the space you’re working with).
Keep the Comfort Items
The new bed will require different bedding than the crib, but don’t change everything. If your child has a special blanket, pillow or lovey, they should make the transition too. These items are important to your child’s security and in fact their very function is to help them transition seamlessly through new phases of their life.
Keep Safety in Mind
Of course, we always want to keep safety in mind. Invest in a bed with side rails so your child doesn’t fall out of bed in his or her sleep. Some toddlers can get stuck in between the bed and the wall, so install side rails on that side too. If your child is tentative about the new sleeping arrangement, a painful or frighte accident can make the transition that much harder.
If you haven’t already, now is a good time to plug in a nightlight for the inevitable wakeups.
Explain Through a Book
Books are a fantastic way of explaining something to your child in a manner they will understand. The characters face similar challenges and learn how to overcome them. This gives your child something to reference when they’re frightened of a change. There are countless books on this subject.
Continue Your Bedtime Routine
Hopefully you have established a bedtime routine at this point. Use the security of the routine to ease the transition to a big kid bed. During this phase, stick to that routine as much as possible, right down to the little details. The goal is get your kid focused on the other elements of the routine (like the bath or storybooks) and not worry about the bed.
Remain Empathetic and Patient
It’s important to treat the change casually, but don’t dismiss your child’s complaints. It’s common for toddlers to cling to their parents more or resist going to bed because of the new arrangement. Explain that you understand the change is tough but it’s a big part of growing up.
Making a transition to a big kid bed is not a decision that should be made just because your child has climbed out of their crib once or because you think that it will solve your child’s sleep issues. Always do your best to work on improving your child’s sleep first because giving your child the freedom of a bed can often make existing sleep problems worse. Keep your child in their crib as long as possible and make the switch when everyone is truly ready.
Not sure if it’s the right time to make the move to a big kid bed? Our email or phone consultations are perfect for discussing this issue and for helping you come up with a plan to make a smooth transition. Contact us so we can help!
Written by Lori Strong, Certified Sleep Consultant and Owner of Strong Little Sleepers
Lori is a Certified Child Sleep Consultant through the Family Sleep Institute and Certified Happiest Baby Educator. She is the founder and owner of Strong Little Sleepers, which was started on the idea that all families need and deserve to get a good night’s sleep. Lori was the first certified child sleep consultant in Austin, Texas and was honored as Best Sleep Expert in the 2013 Austin Birth Awards. She is also a member of the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants. Lori combines her experience as an educator and a parent to offer customized sleep plans and support to families with children ages 0-6 across the country.
For more information, please visit www.stronglittlesleepers.com.
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