Considering whether it’s time for your little one to transition from a crib to a bed at home? If so, it’s important to note that there truly is no “right” time for your child to move to their big kid beds. As with every other developmental stage, it’s imperative to make the decision to move your child from a crib to a toddler bed based on your individual child as well as what makes sense for your family.

Crib to Toddler Bed: When Is the Right Time?

When it comes to making the final decision on the transition from crib to bed, many parents ultimately look for cues from their child to determine when to start. Look for signs such as these from your little one:

• Seeming too big for the crib
• Expressing a desire to do more “grown-up” things
• Climbing out of the crib

These are all good indicators that your child may be officially ready to transition from crib to bed, especially if she’s started to climb out on her own; it’s best to move her into a bigger bed< to ensure she doesn’t hurt herself. Another major factor in parents moving their child from crib to bed? The arrival of a new family member who may need to use the crib.

What You Can Expect When Making the Bed-to-Crib Transition

Whatever the motivation behind your decision, it’s important to know what to expect throughout the process to help ensure optimal success. Once again, remembering that every child progresses at his own pace can truly alleviate any stress and pressure you may be feeling. Some children instantly sleep in their new beds without any issues, while others struggle with adjustment. When adding other routine modifications such as potty training and preschool, it’s easy to understand why some children want to hang on to their cribs as long as possible.

Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true tactics you can employ to help make the transition easier, such as:

• Placing the bed in the same spot as the crib for a more familiar feel
• Taking the child with you when shopping for the bed to generate excitement
• Allow your child to choose the type of blankets and bedding

These few simple steps can make a major difference during your child’s transition from crib to bed.

What to Do If Your Child Won’t Stay In Bed

Of course, many parents find that, without the high railings of the crib, their children won’t stay in their beds. If this happens in your home, you may want to purchase a guard rail to all to the side of the bed, both to keep them in bed as well as help ensure that they can’t accidentally fall out. Consistent praise whenever they stay in their bed throughout the night can also go a long way in making the overall transition an easy one.