When should you make the transition from crib to big kid bed??
There is absolutely NO rush to make the transition. It is not a developmental milestone that we need to check off. I’ve worked with plenty of 3 year old clients that are still in a crib. My oldest son didn’t want to make the leap until he turned 4, my daughter was 3 years 3 months and my little guy just turned 2 and I have no plans to take him out.
I’ve never had a parent tell me that they wish they had made the transition sooner!
My general recommendation is to wait until your child is at least 3 years of age so they can developmentally understand the responsibility of staying in their bed.
When you do decide to make the change, avoid it occurring with other major life changes such as a new sibling, potty training or moving houses.
Next, start with some preparation. Let your little one know what is going to happen and be positive about it!
If possible, give your child some input on the bed or blankets and pillows. Giving options gives them some control which toddlers love and will help them feel more comfortable.
Then, put the bed where the crib was. We don’t want to make too many changes for them at once!
Most importantly, keep your current bedtime routine the same. Consistency is important and this will keep the same boundaries and expectations around bedtime.
Struggling with your child staying in their bed? We LOVE helping our toddler clients!