How to Move a Baby Into a Toddler Bed
- 1). Observe your child's developmental standing to make sure he's ready for the transition to a toddler bed from his crib. If he's nearing 3 feet tall or climbs out of the crib on his own, he's likely ready. Alternatively, if he enjoys personal accomplishments, he may be ready.
- 2). Take your toddler shopping for her new "big girl" bed if her crib doesn't convert into a toddler bed. Either way, take her shopping for new bedding. Including your toddler in the process gives her a sense of control over the change. Include her in putting the new bed together as well.
- 3). Read books to your toddler about moving from the crib into a big bed. Read one book or a few books to him every day for a few days leading up to the "big" day to help him get used to the idea of a big bed.
- 4). Set up the toddler bed in her bedroom. Keep the crib for the first few nights if you think it will help her feel secure, or remove it from the room if she progresses better with an out-of-sight-out-of-mind approach.
- 5). Include a few of his favorite things in the bed to make the space feel more inviting and familiar to him. For example, his crib blanket, favorite toy, book or pillow can serve as a marker that makes him feel like the bed belongs to him.
- 6). Create a nighttime routine that centers around the bed. Lie down with your child, and read a book to her or sing to her like you did when you put her in her crib. If she's having a hard time adjusting, allow her to move to the crib just before she goes to sleep. Put her in her bed for naps during the day to get her used to the bed if she doesn't take to it right away.
- 7). Remove the crib, and place the bed where the crib used to be to solidify the idea that this is his sleep space.
- 8). Include side rails if you worry about her falling out of the bed at night, or place pillows and blankets on the floor in case she does fall. Another alternative is to lay the mattress directly on the floor for the first few nights before putting it on the bed.
- 9). Put a baby gate in your child's doorway if he has tendency to roam around at night. If he does get up and come to your room, gently -- but firmly -- put him back in his bed. Allowing him to sleep in your room, even once, can introduce new sleeping habits that will be difficult to break.
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