For weeks I stressed, spent sleepless nights, and bored my husband, friends and dry cleaner about my concerns of transitioning our daughter from the crib to a bed. I envisioned her bounding out of her room once I fell asleep, hurdling the baby gate and opening the fridge rapidly stuffing as many choking hazards into her mouth as possible. After absorbing everyone’s advice and speaking with our pediatrician, I unearthed some great tips that made this transition one of the easiest we have encountered in my daughter’s continually changing world.
Usually children make the move between 2 and 3 years of age, but often, regardless of age, a new sibling’s arrival and need for the crib brings about the transition. A bassinet for the newborn might delay the move a few months, but with the emotions your toddler may have about the new baby’s birth, you’ll be happy to have the transition already conquered. If a due date is your reason for the switch, Dr. David Holleman of Pediatric Associates in Kansas City recommends doing it about two months ahead of time so your child doesn’t feel kicked out of her special place.
Some children are able to climb in and out of their cribs safely. If they are not posing a risk to themselves, err on the later side of the transition age range. Giving them more time to develop will help minimize the stress of the move. Consider coinciding with potty training as it makes sense from a logistical and maturation standpoint.
Children become attached to a crib and the feelings associated with it, so make the effort to create warm feelings for their new space. If your child is moving to a new room, tantalize him or her by showing only snippets of the decoration – maybe a Kansas City Royals lampshade or a bright pink paint chip. On transition day, the unveiling of the new home will be so exciting your youngster won’t notice this as a whole new stage of life.
In contrast, involving your little one in all steps of picking out the bed coverings and pillows also can do wonders. Put on the new sheets and throw a party on the bed in honor of this big occasion. Invite family members to come and bring your child a special big kid bed gift.
If your child is hesitant about the transition, consider starting with naps then slowly move to nighttime sleeping in the new bed. Seeing the bed in her room, playing in and around it and sleeping in short stints will give her time to get used to the idea that it is a part of her life.
Whether your child moves to a toddler bed or twin bed with sleeping rails, make sure the area is safe. It might take a few days, but your child eventually will crawl out and explore the room unsupervised. Spending time on your hands and knees looking for potential dangers and tugging on bookshelves to ensure their holding power will protect your child when you’re not there. Joanie Beaulieu, a Leawood mom, has a Houdini of a child who mastered his bedroom doorknob day one. If your little one shows signs of magical powers, consider purchasing toddler-proof doorknob grips.
Spending a little time planning and getting creative will make the big bed process easier on everyone involved. The good news is that transitioning your next child will be less challenging: he or she will already be familiar with the idea and excited to be a big kid like the older sibling.
Robin Gedman lives in Prairie Village with her husband, two children and two crazy dogs.