HOW TO TRANSITION YOUR CHILD FROM CRIB TO BED

By Karli Steenkamp 

Every new milestone in your child’s life can be exciting and nerve-wracking and comes with their own obstacles. Each child develops at their own pace and cannot be compared. Making big transitions can have emotional impacts on a child. It is hard to know if they are ready for changes. Parents know their kids best and it is up to you to experiment and find the best way to introduce new things. Adjustments can be quick for some kids and others might need a bit more encouragement and nudging. Have a plan of action before introducing a huge transition so that you can be consistent when it happens. 

Is the time right? 

Moving your child from the crib to his or her own bed, whatever the reasons may be, should not be done to early. The ideal age according to Raising Children is between 2-3 ½ years. It all depends on the emotional state of your child. You will know when your child is ready when they start escaping out of the crib or need to do toilet runs during the night.  

Preparation for the big move 

It helps to prepare kids beforehand about any big changes and moving out of the crib might be a huge adjustment and a little distressing for some kids. Talking about it in advance and explaining what is going to happen will help to mentally prepare your child and get their head around it. Show them pictures of other kids in their own beds. 

If it is financially possible, redo their bedroom to a ‘big kid’ bedroom. If not, include them in buying and choosing the bed or linen. This will help them feel in control and make them excited. 

Let them choose a special toy or blanket to sleep with in the new bed to comfort them. If they do not already have a night light, let them choose one to keep in the room. 

Safety  

There is no crib anymore to keep your child in one place, they can get out of bed at any time. Make sure that everything in the room is safe for your child. Put toys away so that they don’t feel like playing with it in the middle of the night or put anything in their mouths, which could be dangerous. Furniture should be secured to prevent them from falling. Blinds or curtains should not have strings hanging down that can cause a hazard. Plugs should have safety plugs and switched off.  

When you are buying the bed, make sure that there are railings on both sides to prevent your child from falling off the bed. Your child should not be able to open windows and do keep crayons away so that little hand won’t feel the need to decorate the beautiful walls in the room. 

Implementing the big move 

It is going to take lots of patience and positive reinforcement to make the transition from crib to bed. Continue or start a good bedtime routine that suits you. It should include calm activities to wind down after a busy day such as reading a book or taking a bath just before bedtime. It really depends on what works for you as a family. Some kids prefer to fall asleep with a parent in the room, but this can be a timely process.  

Saying goodnight and leaving the room helps them fall asleep independently. Toddlers might get out of bed or ask for something to drink or eat (a couple of times), set your boundaries and stick to them. Explain to them the whole process and what will happen in the morning, and then they know what to expect. Be patient and praise your child for sleeping in their own room and about how big they are. This is a process which might take a while, but soon your child should settle, but stay calm and consistent. 

Making the move from the crib to the bed is a huge change. It should not be a rushed process. Make your child feel as if he or she is in control with a special toy to sleep with. Involve them in every step of the new bed, even the setting up part. Praise is of the utmost importance so that they know that they are being very brave and that you are proud of them. That might empower them to sleep through the night and everyone can have a good night rest. 

References: Better Health Raising Children