Parents should make the decision to transition their children into a big girl or big boy bed based on safety and necessity rather than simply based on age, as each child may need to move to a toddler bed at different ages or for different reasons. When it comes time to make the transition, parents should take care to make the change smooth and safe.
What Age Should Parents Move Children to a Toddler Bed?
There is, in fact, no exact age when all children should be sleeping in a big girl or big boy bed. Some children as young as 12 months can be moved to a toddler bed and some parents prefer to, or are able to, wait until the child is closer to 2-3 years old. The exact age a child makes this transition is less important than the reasons behind the parent’s decision to introduce a toddler bed.
The Transition to a Toddler Bed Because of Necessity
Many parents will move a child out of crib because of necessity. One common reason for moving a toddler into a regular bed is the coming of a new baby. When a new baby is coming, the crib will be needed in the nursery and purchasing a second crib would not be a prudent financial decision when the older sibling will need a toddler bed eventually anyways.
A second necessity that might prompt parents to move a child into a toddler bed is the dreaded event of a child who escapes the confines of the crib. Some children are climbers and have the innovation at a very young age to figure out how to climb out of their crib. In this case, it is safer to have the child sleep in a toddler bed so that there is less chance for the child to fall from a height and get hurt.
How to Make a Smooth Transition to a Toddler Bed
When transitioning a child to a toddler bed, it is important to keep safety in mind. Some toddler beds may come with a safety rail, which is important to use to prevent the child from falling out of bed while sleeping. If the child is very young, it may be prudent to purchase a lager safety rail that will cover more of the bed. These rails have feet that slip under the mattress and fold up to keep the child safely in bed.
No matter the age of the child, some rules must be taught along with the transition to the toddler bed to keep the child safe, and other rules are up to the parents’ wishes. For safety reasons the child should be taught to not jump or play wildly on the bed. Some parents may also wish their child to not get out of bed without permission.
Whatever the circumstances surrounding the transition of a child from a crib to a toddler bed, the occasion should be exciting for the child. Parents need to take care and ensure that their children are safe when in bed, whether in a crib or a toddler bed. When the transition to a toddler bed becomes necessary, parents should ensure that the transition is exciting and smooth for the child.
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