When Should I Move My Baby to a Toddler Bed?
Are you wondering when your baby should be moved out of their crib and into an actual bed? I outline this process in The Sleep Fairy Way for Toddlers eBook, so check it out!
I always recommend waiting to make this transition until your child is at least 3 years old. Some babies do fine before then, but I recommend waiting if you can.
Understanding "Stay in Bed"
Before the age of 3, most toddlers don’t fully understand what it means to “stay in bed.”
Sure, you can walk them back to bed a million times but they don’t really grasp time yet, so staying in bed until __________ isn’t something that they’ll fully comprehend.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Also, moving your toddler before they are ready can actually CAUSE sleep problems and frequent night wakings, not solve them.
When to Move to a "Big Kid" Bed
I recommend moving your child to a big kid bed if they are:⠀
Over the age of 3 and sleep through the night consistently.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Are old enough to ask for a big bed and sleep through the night consistently.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
OR as a last resort if they have frequently climbed out, regardless of your efforts to make them stay in bed (using a sleep sack, mattress on the floor of the crib, etc.) and it’s a safety concern. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Assess your specific situation and decide if your child is fully ready.