Transitioning to a Toddler Bed

Advice from a pediatrician on when to transition and how to keep your little one safe.

Kids are most ready to transition from a crib to a toddler bed between two and three years old. However, for safety reasons, some children need to make the transition sooner if they’re climbing out of the crib. You can try to keep them in the crib a bit longer by using sleep sacks, which may help prevent climbing.

Many parents worry about how to keep kids in their new bed. Some older toddlers can understand stoplight-style red–yellow–green alarm clocks that help them learn when it’s time to stay in bed and when it’s okay to get up. If your child is too young or can’t follow directions yet, your goal should be to keep them safely in their room. As long as the room is childproofed, you may need to consider latching the door so they aren’t wandering the house at night. If they fall asleep on the floor instead of their bed, that’s okay. As long as everyone is getting sleep and your child is safe, that’s a win!

When making the transition to a bed, there are a few main safety tips to keep in mind. It’s important to be sure the room is safe for your child to be in unsupervised. Think of childproofing the room as turning it into one big crib. Consider electrical cords, window blinds, and anything they may climb on or pull down onto themselves.

Once kids transition to a toddler bed, it’s considered safe to introduce a small, lightweight blanket and a small, firm pillow. Try to avoid additional loose bedding or stuffies, which can still pose an entrapment or suffocation risk for toddlers. It’s also important to position the bed so the sides are away from the wall, or eliminate any gaps between the mattress and the wall, to prevent your child from getting trapped during the night.

As with any transition, try to maintain consistency, and everyone will settle into the new routine.

Dr. Sarah Wiersma is the owner of PeaPod Pediatrics and a board certified pediatrician and breastfeeding medicine specialist. Schedule a Meet & Greet to meet Dr. Wiersma and find out how pediatric direct primary care can support your family.