Is your (once tiny) baby seeming so “big” that they probably should stop sleeping in their crib? Or maybe your little one has suddenly become a ninja and is escaping the crib every night?
Here’s what I’ll go over in this blog:
When is my little one ready for the transition?
How to transition from the crib to the big kid bed
How to get my little one to stay in their big kid bed
If you’re feeling a little nervous about this transition, know you’re not alone! Watching our little ones grow is amazing, but it’s no surprise you’ll miss your tiny little baby! We’ve got this!
When is my little one ready for the transition?
Around 3 years old is generally when it’s time to transition from crib to bed. Around this time, your little one has probably gone through (or may go through) the 24-month sleep regression.
If you think you might be in the thick of the 24 month regression, click here to read my blog post that has everything you’ll need to know.
When it comes to saying goodbye to the crib, we want to delay the transition as long as possible. Around this time, our toddlers are at the height of developing willfulness and personalities. This is SO exciting but can mean that if we make the transition too soon, the power struggles can be intense.
Here are a few reasons some parents might make this transition too soon:
A New Sibling Needs the Crib
First of all, congrats on another little one! This is SUCH an exciting time for all of you!
If this is the case for you, I say try to keep your new baby in a bassinet or pack-n-play for as long as you can. This way, you don’t have to worry about moving your toddler to their new big kid bed right away.
Your Toddler Keeps Climbing Out of Their Crib
Having a little one that can now climb out of their crib opens up a whole new world to our little ones…especially if they’re doing it when everyone else is sound asleep.
Watch this video with tips for if your little one starts climbing out of the crib.
Click here to watch the tips for climbing out of cribs on Instagram.
Once your little one is figuring out how to climb out of their crib, you might think that this means it’s time to transition. Personally, I still recommend keeping them in the crib for the time being.
That being said, we want to make sure that they are as safe as possible while still in their crib. If you feel like there are any real dangers to your little one staying in the crib any longer, follow your mom-gut!
Something you can do to make the crib a safe sleep space for your climber is to put pillows around the base of their crib. If you still have them in a sleep sack, this helps as well!
How to transition from the crib to the big kid bed
What’s really going to help this transition move more smoothly is you holding boundaries with your little one. There is a lot of exciting freedom that comes along with a toddler or big kid bed. This freedom is SO awesome, but know that along with it may come some testing of the limits on their part.
It is going to be easier to work with your toddler if they buy-in to what you’re selling. If you can first validate whatever limit it is they are trying to test, they are much easier to redirect.
Know that setting boundaries is a good thing! Boundaries aren’t meant to be a punishment, but rather something that can be used to comfort your children. Consistent and predictable boundaries make us feel safe.
Here are a few ways to implement holding boundaries around their new big kid bed while also getting them to buy-in:
Toddler Visual Schedule
Having a consistent bedtime routine with them ending up in their new big kid bed can be so helpful! Consistency in their routine gives them something to look forward to and is comforting as well.
I’ve got a Toddler Visual Schedule that is perfect for this! It’s 100% customizable to YOUR bedtime routine and all you need to do is print it out and cut and paste the visuals that best apply to your child’s routine.
Give Them LOTS of Choices
Don’t be fooled by their size…toddler personalities are BIG. As I’ve mentioned, they’ve got all this new freedom and willfulness they are trying to explore, and they love to feel like they’re in control.
One way to do this is to give them as many low-stakes choices around bedtime as possible. Here’s an example:
The Boundary
- Bedtime is at 8:00 pm
- After our bedtime routine is finished, I’m going to leave and you are going to sleep here, in your big kid bed
Their Choices
- Which pj’s do you want to wear?
- Do you want to brush your teeth before or after going to the bathroom?
- What song do you want to sing?
- Which stuffed animals do you want to sleep with?
- Etc.
Incentivizing Your Little One
Another way to set firm boundaries while keeping your toddler on board with the process is positive reinforcement. Set a goal with your toddler and use a sticker chart to keep track of their progress. For example, set a goal that for every night they stay in their big kid bed, they get a sticker…after 5, 7, 10 (however many you choose) stickers they get their reward.
Here are a few ideas:
- Little toys or trinkets
- Doing a favorite activity of theirs
- Watching some of their favorite show
- Earning a date with you
Start With a Practice Nap
Before their first night in the new big kid bed, try having a practice run at naptime! This will give them the opportunity to try out the new bed during the day and will most likely help them be more successful at bedtime.
One of my favorite pieces of advice for the transition from crib to bed is this next one…
Include Them in The Process
This one is simple and can be so great for bonding with your little one. You can take them to look at big kid beds with you, let them pick out the sheets, or maybe even pick a fun new pillow or blanket to go with the bed. This helps them feel like their room is theirs and a place they actually want to stay in.
How to get my little one to stay in their big kid bed
So, the big kid bed is set up and the boundaries are set in place. What happens now when they sneak out of bed just to climb in with you?
I know it can get annoying…but just take them back.
It’s holding onto those boundaries you set and staying consistent that will help teach them to stay in bed in the long run.
If your little one is protesting and doesn’t want you to leave the room, decide ahead of time what you are willing to do to meet their emotional needs. For example, maybe you decide that if they don’t want you to leave, you’ll stay for five minutes and sing a song, rub their back, etc.
You know your kiddo best! Work within their Zone of Proximal Development by letting them work things out on their own while still giving them guidance and meeting their emotional needs.
*If you want to learn more about The Zone of Proximal Development and what it means for your little one’s sleep, click here!
And remember those incentives!
Recap on the Transition From Crib to Bed
Making the transition from crib to bed is such an exciting time in your baby’s sleep journey. It might also be a bittersweet one for you!
Just remember to set firm boundaries, include them in the process, and try not to stress. They (and you) will do great!
I’ve got an entire Toddler Guide Pack that can help you learn to set and maintain these boundaries while still honoring your little one’s individual personality.
You don’t have to go through this alone! Toddler consultations are so so great. You and one of our incredible sleep experts can create a plan together that is centered around your little ones.
We can be right there with you, collaborating on what their boundaries will be and brainstorming creative ways to motivate YOUR toddler.
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