When and how to transition your toddler from a crib to a bed
*Note: This blog post contains affiliate links, where I earn a small commission from your purchase at no cost to you. Thank you SO much in advance for supporting my small business!
Wondering when you should transition your toddler out of their crib? While there’s no “right” answer, most people do it too soon!
Let’s dive into it…
There is no perfect age where it becomes imperative to transition your toddler from their crib to a bed. While societal norms vary across cultures, oftentimes parents feel pressure to transition their child out of the crib because they think they are becoming “too old” to be sleeping in a crib.
However, just because your toddler is turning 2, 2.5, or 3 (some of the commonly-accepted “too old” ages), this is not a sole reason to switch them to sleeping in a bed!
The true reason to transition a toddler from a crib to a bed is safety. If they have reached the height or weight limit of the manufacturer, and/or are trying to climb out, it is important to transition them out of the crib.
Barring any safety issues, this study concluded that transitioning out of the crib prior to age 3 was associated with increased caregiver-perceived sleep difficulties. This means that parents reported worse sleep outcomes (such as more bedtime resistance and shorter overall sleep duration) after transitioning their child to a crib at an earlier age.
In my professional experience working with hundreds of toddlers and their families, I often see sleep issues arise when toddlers transition out of the crib before age three.
So - if your toddler is sleeping well in their crib (and they are not attempting to climb out), keep them in it!
Reasons NOT TO transition your child out of the crib:
They are turning a certain age (2, 2.5, 3, etc)
Just because your child has reached an arbitrary age does not mean they should no longer be sleeping in a crib. In fact, many two year-olds simply do not have the cognitive skills and understanding that their body needs to stay in their bed overnight. This can lead to many difficult nights of them getting up out of their bed over and over again. When you wait until your child is closer to 3 (or even 3.5!), oftentimes the transition goes MUCH smoother.You are expecting a new baby and want to use the crib for the baby.
One of the main reasons toddler parents transition their child out of the crib is because they are expecting a new baby, and they want the baby to sleep in the crib. But there are lots of other options for the new baby to sleep in that allow your toddler to stay in their crib!
Options for the new baby while keeping your toddler in their crib:Use a bassinet (typically used until 3-4 months old)
Use a pack-n-play
Buy a used crib (Facebook marketplace often has many options, depending on where you live)
Buy a used or new mini-crib (“mini-cribs” are smaller versions of regular-sized cribs and therefore are often much less expensive. A friend gave us their own mini-crib for when Little J was born and he still sleeps in it at 16 months and counting!)
Welcoming a new sibling is a big change for your toddler, so if they’re happy and safe in their current crib, it’s best to keep them in it as opposed to adding in another change during this time.
You’re potty training and think they need to be able to use the potty overnight.
Daytime potty training and nighttime potty training are different. Young children learn to regulate their bladder and bowel needs during the day (while they are awake) while still wearing a diaper or a pull-up overnight (while sleeping). This is developmentally-normal. Most children naturally begin to hold their pee and poop overnight as they get closer to 4 or 5 years old, sometimes even older.Therefore, just because you are starting to potty train does not mean you need to make any changes to your child’s sleep space!
Your family/friends/Facebook group are making comments that your child is “too old to be sleeping in a crib”.
As mentioned above, there is no set age for when a child “should” no longer sleep in a crib. Safety, comfort, and sleep quality are the key factors to help guide your decision - not your child’s age!
Reasons TO transition your child out of the crib:
They have reached the weight and/or height limit for the crib, according to the manufacturer.
Crib manufacturers mandate specific height and or weight limits for use of a crib. Most cribs typically have a 50-pound weight limit and a 35-inch height limit, but always check your specific crib’s manual. (Of course, you always want to lower the crib mattress as your child grows to keep them safe. Once your baby learns to pull-up to stand, you should lower the crib mattress to the lowest setting.)Many children reach the height limit far before the weight limit, and some parents choose to keep them in even after reaching 35 inches. Every choice comes with risks and benefits, so make sure to consider both and make the choice that feels right to you!
They are attempting to or have successfully climbed out of their crib.
When a child is able to climb up and over the railing of their crib, they can injure themselves when falling to the ground. If your child has started climbing out, it is time to transition away from the crib.
Some cribs convert to a toddler bed, where you swap the outside railing for a shorter railing. This is a great option because the sleep space stays the same, so it’s not a huge change for your child. Other cribs don’t have this option, so you will need to transition to an entirely new sleep space.
Okay, so you’ve weighed the pros and cons and are ready to transition your child out of their crib. What comes next?!
If and when you are ready to transition your toddler out of the crib, here are a few things to remember:
When possible, try to separate this transition from other big life changes for your child, such as welcoming a new sibling, starting a new school, or potty training. It is a lot of change for them, and you probably don’t want disrupted sleep on top if it!
Choose a new sleep option that best fits your child and your family’s needs. Some toddlers do well with transitioning to a toddler bed that still has some railings (many cribs transition to this by replacing the full railing with a half railing). Other families use a floor bed and love that it allows a parent to easily lay with their child to fall asleep or snuggle their child overnight. Some families choose to transition directly to a regular twin or full-size bed (just be sure to add guardrails at first so your child doesn’t fall out).
Make sure to prepare your child for this transition. You can read books about big kid beds and talk ahead of time about what they can expect. Most children love helping to pick out new sheets or bedding to fit their new bed.
Explain to them explicitly what is going to happen at bedtime (if anything will change) and what happens in the morning. Some toddlers immediately realize that they’re able to get in and out on their own, while others take a bit of time to come to this realization. If getting out of bed becomes an issue (whether at bedtime, overnight, or in the early morning), come up with a set plan for what your child is allowed/not allowed to do. Role play through each scenario to help them practice. Introducing an “okay-to-wake” clock, such as the Hatch light or the LittleHippo clock, can help your toddler learn to stay in their bed or their room until a set time in the morning.
Ultimately, transitioning out of the crib is a huge life change for a toddler - their crib is their safe space. So while there are things you can do to help prepare them for the transition and make it go more smoothly, it often comes with an adjustment period. This is normal and should pass over time. You (and your child) can do it!
If you’re struggling with your toddler’s sleep and need to streamline their bedtime routine, check out my Toddler Bedtime Routine Chart! Using a visual routine chart helps to “show” your toddler what’s coming up next and allows them to make age-appropriate choices within the routine, helping bedtime go more smoothly.
For more information and help on toddler and preschooler sleep, check out my 2-3 Year and 3-5 Year Comprehensive Routine Guides. Each Guide goes into detail about each aspect of their day (sleep, mealtimes, play, mornings, and more!) to help you feel confident and at ease with tackling your child’s day.