When and How To Shift Your Baby To A Toddler Bed

Babies grow up rather quickly, and it is hard to keep track of their growth. You can gradually shift them to a toddler bed. One of the most critical milestones in a baby’s life is when they learn how to sleep through the night without crying for mommy’s attention.

They start by sleeping in a bassinet, co-sleeping with family members, then move on to a crib. Next, they shift to a toddler bed where they can sleep all night without getting out of bed. The process of shifting your baby from one bed to another may seem challenging, but it is an essential part of growing up. Your baby needs to be at least two years old to shift to a toddler bed. This means your baby should be able to climb out of their crib on their own without any help.

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Transition To A Toddler Bed

At 18 months, the transition begins. Your toddler’s mattress should already be placed on the floor so your little one can get in and out of bed quickly. If you are using a crib with a taller base, place the mattress at its lowest point to allow easy access for your baby to climb in and out of bed.

Your child may be too young to understand what is going on, so you need to be there with him throughout the whole process. Until he learns how to sleep through the night, do not let him fall asleep by himself. Instead, rock him or put him back in bed after falling asleep. When transitioning your baby into a toddler bed, you should make the crib available during naptime and bedtime for a few days, so he gets used to the change.

Progressive Transition To A Toddler Bed

Shifting your baby from sleeping in a crib to sleeping on a toddler bed can be done gradually. Instead of removing his crib all at once, you can do it little by little until he is wholly moved into his new bed.

Start by removing the crib mattress so your baby can sleep on the floor in his sleeping bag if he is not yet comfortable with the new transition. Next, remove the crib railings to ensure that your child will not fall out of bed. You can even lower it a bit just enough for him to climb in and out of bed safely.

A Baby’s First Bed: A bassinet

A bassinet could be the best solution for managing a fussy baby. A bassinet is a comfortable spot that offers them a safe and cosy place to sleep.

A Baby’s Second Bed: Co-Sleeping

When a baby starts rolling on the floor, the baby makes it difficult for parents to manage their sleep. Co-sleeping with your child is the best way to make sure they are safe while feeling your presence too.

A Baby’s Third Bed: A Crib

Crawling and walking are the first milestones a baby has to conquer. This is when a crib becomes a home for them since they can switch sides by themselves. However, it would help if you placed them in their bed before leaving the room, so they get used to sleeping alone.

A Baby’s Fourth Bed: A toddler bed

Once a baby is used to the environment of a crib, they are ready for a much more significant challenge – transitioning into a toddler bed. To make this process as smooth as possible, always follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Lower the crib mattress to its lowest level.

Step 2: Place a toddler rail underneath the crib mattress. You can use your baby’s bed sheets to cover this rail.

Step 3: Start sleeping your baby on their tummy or side since this is an ideal sleeping position for them during the night. Once they are used to getting in and out of their new bed by themselves, remove the rail.

A Baby’s Fifth Bed: A regular bed

Toddler beds are not designed to last for long periods. Eventually, your toddler will outgrow this bed, and you can shift them into a regular bed with guardrails on all four sides. Follow these steps to help your child adjust quickly to their new bed:

Step 1: Place a mattress on the floor to sleep until they are ready for a bed.

Step 2: Place their bed rail on the edge of this mattress to help them get in and out of bed safely.

Step 3: Remove the bed sheet covering the toddler rail since it is too small for your child’s new bed.

Step 4: Once your child can sleep in their new bed all night without leaving it, you can remove the guardrail. If they still need help staying in bed, place it back on until they are ready to visit there by themselves.

A Baby’s Sixth Bed: A big kid’s bed

When your child is used to sleeping in their bed for more than five consecutive months, you can shift them to a big kid’s bed. Follow these two simple steps to make sure they do not fall out of the new bed:

Step 1: Purchase a mattress that fits their size and safety needs. Ensure it is low enough to prevent injuries but substantial enough, so it does not collapse or break easily.

Step 2: Place a guardrail alongside the mattress to prevent your child from falling out of bed.

When you follow these steps, transitioning an infant into a toddler bed should not be as challenging as it seems since they will eventually get used to sleeping on their own without any supervision. If you find it challenging to make them sleep independently, you can constantly shift your baby to a crib or co-sleep with them until they are ready for a toddler bed.

Conclusion

Transitioning your baby into a toddler bed is not as complicated if you follow these simple steps. Follow them to reduce the stress of getting your child used to a toddler bed. It would be best to do everything you can to make sure they are safe since caring for two or more babies is already stressful enough. By transitioning your infant into a toddler bed, you not only help them sleep on their own but also ensure their safety.