Moving your child from a crib to a bed? Here’s what you need to know.

Moving your toddler from a crib to a bed is best done sometime between the ages of 18 months and three and half years. It’s a good time if you’re having another baby, and then you need to make the switch six to eight weeks before you’re due so your child doesn’t get jealous when they see the new arrival taking over their crib.

Safety is another concern and you should consider making the move from a crib to a bed when your child starts to get big enough to climb out and possibly hurt themselves. As a general rule, parents need to start thinking about the transition when their toddlers grow to be about 35 inches tall. Keep in mind if your child shows no signs of wanting to climb out of her crib, you can leave her in it past the age of two as long as you keep her safety in mind.

Potty Training

Potty training is another milestone to consider. When you’re training him to use the toilet, it will speed the process along when he can get up to use the washroom on his own when necessary. Whatever you decide, remember many child psychologists say the longer you leave your child in the crib, the more attached they get to the place associated with warmth and security and the harder it will be to wean them from that space eventually.

The next step is the actual transition. Here’s a few tips to make that as easy as possible.

• Making her a part of the move from a crib to a bed is important. One of the best ways to do this is to include your toddler in buying the bed she will eventually sleep in. When you let them choose the bedding and the bed, they’ll feel they are getting some control which will lessen any anxiety over the situation. Letting him select what the new bed will look like will make everything go that much better.
• This is a big transition and you need to make sure the new bed is placed as close as possible to where the crib had been. Remember your child associates that crib with safety and security. Changing the room around completely to accommodate the new bed can cause some stress for them. It’s best if you can find a bed that will fit into the same space vacated by the crib.

Lastly, you need to keep in mind that every toddler is different and their reactions to having their crib taken away will vary. Some children will go along easily with their new arrangements and others will not. Remember, like with a lot of other milestone events in your child’s life, their reaction to changing beds will depend largely on how you handle it. Some experts suggest throwing a party to celebrate their change in status and including a favorite old blanket in the new space even if it’s too small for the bed they’re moving to.

Read more info like this at All My Children.
Author: Rob Starr