When do babies move from a crib to a bed?

Moving your baby from a crib to a bed is a huge but wonderful milestone and something that you’ll want to make sure that both of you are ready for.

There’s no hard rule as to when babies need to move from a crib to a bed. But generally, most babies will make the transition between 18 months and 3 ½ years old.

In this post, we’re going to look at some of the most common signs that your baby is ready to move out of their crib and into a bed with more space and more freedom.

What is a toddler bed?

A toddler bed is the same size as a crib - meaning that you’ll be able to use your little one’s mattress for longer! Some people do prefer to move their toddler straight to a twin bed if they need the crib mattress for a new baby or don’t want the added cost of purchasing a toddler bed for the in-between stage.

If you decide to opt for a twin bed, it’s important to make sure that the bed is as close to the floor as possible and that you install a side guard to prevent falling during the night.

Floor beds (often called Montessori beds) offer a great way to move your toddler into a new bed without the risk of falling.

Signs that your baby is ready to move to a bed

Here are a few things to look out for as signs that your baby might be ready for the switch.

-          Your child has started potty training

Once you’ve started potty training, you’ll want your child to be able to head to the potty alone and at a moment’s notice. If they wake in the night needing to use the potty and are trapped inside their crib, this might lead to accidents as well as a setback in the potty training process.

-          They’ve outgrown their crib

If your child’s head and feet touch the end of their crib, this is a pretty obvious sign that they need an upgrade to a larger bed! They’ve also outgrown their crib if they’re able to climb out of it. It’s recommended that you make the switch when your child reaches 89cm ; at this height, they may well be able to escape the crib even with the mattress on the lowest height.
 

-          There’s another baby on the way

With another baby on the way, you might want to move your child out of their crib as opposed to buying a second one. Even if this is the case, it’s important to wait until your older child is at least 18 months of age before making the switch.

Tips for moving your child into a new bed

Here are a few tips to make the transition easier for everyone!

- Start with nap times - get your child comfortable with taking naps in their new bed before moving onto night times.

- Make it exciting – You might want to let your little one choose their new sheets and a new stuffed animal to keep with them at night.

- Be patient - your child will now be able to escape their bed which can make bedtime a little tougher. Stick to your routines and remind them that they have to stay in their new bed.

Have you transitioned your baby from a crib to a bed? What are your best tips?