My son is 2 years old, and he keeps shaking the side rails of his crib and trying to climb out. Is he ready to transition to a “big boy” bed? If so, what is the best way to make this transition easy and peaceful for him, as well as our family?
It sounds like your son is ready to transition out of the crib. Some experts suggest 18 months of age and a height of 3 feet as a guideline for when a child should switch to a bed, but the timeline really varies from child to child. Climbing out of the crib on a daily basis, rattling the crib side rails, and verbalizing the desire for a bed are all signs that a toddler is ready to make the transition.
The next step is finding a suitable bed for your son. Toddler beds are available, but they will probably not work for long — most have a weight limit of 50 pounds. For a longer-term solution, shop for a low-profile twin bed with a railing and no areas where little hands and feet can get stuck. Buying bed rails is generally the best option, and temporary; separate railings can easily be attached to a twin bed.
It will also ease the crib-to-bed adjustment for your son if you let him help pick out the bed and sheets, because he will feel a sense of ownership in the process. Additionally, talking about the impending change to a new bed — how much fun it will be and how proud you are of him — will build excitement.
Don’t forget that toddlers can leave their sleep space freely once they start sleeping in a bed, so make sure that the room he’s sleeping in is fully childproofed. Be sure to look around at toddler level and ensure that your son can’t pull anything off of the dresser or pull the drawers out and climb on them. Safety plugs for outlets are also essential.
Even if your son initially seemed happy about the transition, he may get out of the new bed repeatedly. This behavior can be frustrating, but it is normal. Toddlers are accustomed to boundaries, like a crib, and suddenly having the freedom to move from room to room without asking can be exciting for them. But this independence can also transform some children from good sleepers into restless ones. To discourage after-hours exploration and foster more restful nights, keep everything else as consistent as possible by placing the new bed exactly where the crib was and keeping the same nightly routine for bathing, bedtime stories, and tucking in.
Despite your best efforts, your son will likely get out of bed a few times once he’s out of the crib. When that happens, experts recommend returning him to his room swiftly and without fanfare to avoid encouraging a repeat of the behavior for attention. You may have to do this a few times. Set ground rules, like “no getting out of bed except to go to the bathroom.” Praise your child when he sleeps through the night. It may even be necessary to stay in the room for a while until the toddler falls asleep.
To schedule an appointment with a pediatrician affiliated with New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, please call (718) 499–2273 or visit www.nyp.org/
