Crib To Bed. When & How?

Transition your child from the crib to bed easily!

How to transition your toddler from the baby cradle to a baby bed?

Wondering if your child is ready to say good-bye to his crib and welcome his new bed? We at MomsKnowBest did some digging and figured out all that you need to know about the transition from the crib to the bed.

As every baby is different in his own way there is no particular age in which he should be moved to a bed, although it is observed that most children make the switch between 18 and 36 months of age. 

So, how do you know when it's time to make that move? 

Well, you know it's the right time to adapt to a bed when the baby is big enough or active enough to hop out of the crib. Some babies are very energetic and will master the art of escaping the crib sooner than the ones who are less adventurous and more comfortable in the crib. A lot of it depends on their physical skills and comfort.

But before actually moving the baby out from the crib mothers need to understand certain important factors that can positively or negatively affect the baby's transition.

It is preferred to make the switch when there are no other important changes taking place in his life. For example, avoid making the change if your baby is in the early days of potty training or is new to a child care arrangement.

Take extra care if the reason for the transition is the addition of a new sibling to the family, this is a major change for the baby and you don't want him to feel any less important. In this case, you should move the baby at least one to two months before the arrival of the new family member. This will give him time to adjust and he will not feel displaced when the new baby enjoys his crib time. 

A baby might be emotionally attached to his crib and everything that comes with it which might make the transition difficult. To ease this situation let your baby feel excited about the change, involve him in choosing kid-friendly bed-sheets, pillowcases, and comforters. Encourage him to personalise the new bed with a few favourite stuffed animals. This can make the bed seem more appealing to him. 

Your baby might feel unhappy about his new bed and may want his crib back but don't worry stay positive and allow him some time. If he's very uncomfortable and is finding great displeasure in adjusting then temporarily move him back to the crib. It's no big deal. Babies grow-up quickly and might be ready in another month or two. Be patient, and don’t rush this important transition. 

Some bedtime routines the MKB moms swear by!

As your baby is new to this freedom, he might try to swiftly escape the bed. Stay calm and put him back. Try to set a bedtime routine and some daily habits.

• A few habits that can help them sleep better like a final trip to potty before bed and then having a glass of water.
• You might also want to reward your baby for good bedtime habits like brushing their teeth before bedtime for a whole two minutes.
• There's nothing like warm water to calm the body down, and that holds true for your rambunctious toddler. Give him some warning (five or ten minutes) so tub time doesn't come as a surprise. And if it does, it is a pleasant one.
• Reading books together can be the sweetest time of the night and another time when your toddler can exert a little independence. Let him pick a couple of stories to read, but narrow down the choices or you'll be asleep before he decides. Any book with a sleepy-time theme will do, or whatever his favorite happens to be at the moment. 
• After you've finished the last story, tuck your toddler into bed with his special stuffed animal and turn on the night-light (if he's afraid of the dark). Tell him you love him, give him a kiss and a big bear style hug, and then say good night. Add a cheery "See you in the morning!" before you walk out of the room. If he gets upset or cries, tell him you'll be back in a few minutes to check on him. Then keep your promise. Chances are, he'll be fast asleep when you return and you can gaze at the heart-melting sight of your slumbering toddler.

Things to keep in mind when it comes to the safety aspect of this transition:

• Try to arrange for a bed which is generally lower in height and closer to the ground, to ensure there are fewer chances of injuries. We suggest investing in a multipurpose crib that doubles as a bed when it's time for your baby to take the plunge. This 11 in 1 multifunctional bed/crib/rocker is everything your baby needs and more, in a nutshell. 

• Put a soft rug, sleeping bag or pillows on the floor around the bed for extra safety.

• Childproof your house. You must have already done this before but it's time to re-evaluate. Make sure there are no exposed edges that are sharp or any screws or other loose hardware.  Another amazing hack is adding a bed rail to the child’s low bed, this will protect the child from falling. We found an amazing one on amazing which has rave reviews. You can buy it here.

Some babies will happily accept the change while others might find it difficult to adjust to the new situation. As the baby is taking new steps in life give them the advantage of extra patience and care, understand that it might take them a month or two to adjust to the new setting.