It feels like just yesterday we were setting up the crib in the nursery.  Now, I’m watching Weston nap in a big boy bed as I type this.  The time has flown by and the transition from a crib to a bed was what I was most fearful of out of all the major transitions in his life so far.  He easily gave up the bottle, showed signs that he was ready to wean from breastfeeding, and had forgotten about the binkey within a week.  But his crib… he loved his crib.  And I loved the idea that he was still trapped in a safe and secure cage.  I was terrified that transitioning to a big kid bed meant the end of naps and the beginning of two year old that would sneak into our bed at night.  Shockingly, the transition has gone far better than I ever expected.  Here are my top tips for transitioning your toddler to a bed.

How to Transition from a Crib to a Bed

Know When the Time is Right to Transition

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t ready to transition Weston out of the crib and into a bed.  I didn’t really think he was ready either.  However, I’m seven months pregnant with baby number two, and I felt like now was the best time to make the jump.  I wanted to give him time to get adjusted before the baby came, and I didn’t want him to feel like he was getting kicked out of his space by this brand new human.  Most of the advice I read before making the transition said to keep your toddler in a crib until at least three or until they start climbing out.  Weston wasn’t quite two when we moved him to the big boy bed, and he’s done just fine.  I truly believe this is one of those things that mommy knows best.  If you think your toddler is ready, go for it.

Getting Ready

Transitioning Weston to a bed meant changing rooms as well (which was even more nerve wracking for me).  The nursery is all set for the new baby and I knew the bigger space would be better for Weston.  Our spare bedroom (aka Weston’s new room) already had a queen sized bed in it, so that’s what we decided to keep.  Of course, this meant investing in a toddler rail for the side so he doesn’t fall out.  We ordered this one and it’s been great.  The rail folds down so that you can easily make the bed and it’s kept him safe and sound so far.  Unfortunately, he rolled off the bottom of the bed twice in the first week.  The rails don’t fit correctly if you put them on the bottom of the bed, so I found these bumpers on Amazon which gave me the idea to shove a couple extra fluffy pillows under the fitted sheet at the bottom of the bed.  So far, so good.  We also redecorated the room in dinosaur décor and moved over all the sleep aids from his nursery (i.e. the sound machine and night light).  Although it would be great to get some toys out of my living room, we’ve made the conscious decision to keep toys out of his room.  He has a few stuff animals and a mountain of books, but that’s it.  I don’t want the added distractions and I like the idea of keeping sleep and play separate.

Get Excited

In the weeks leading up to the big move, we spent a lot of time in the new bedroom.  I made sure to do all moving, decorating, and prep work while Weston was awake.  He “helped me” clear out all of the “spare bedroom stuff”, sweep the floors, move clothes, hang curtains, and so on.  We made a full evening out of hanging up the dinosaur décor and putting the new bedding on.  Through every step, we told him that this was going to be his new room, that he was a big boy, and that he was going to get to sleep in his dinosaur room.  Of course we made it sound like it was the most exciting thing that had ever happened.

Make it Comforting and Inviting

In addition to the sound machine and night light, we tried to make the new room as comforting as possible.  I ordered blackout curtains to keep the room dark and we made sure to incorporate his favorite blankets from the nursery.  We also let him sleep with a few books and stuffed animals.  One night, he asked to sleep with a mini football, so we let him sleep with a football.  One day when I laid him down for a nap, he asked to sleep with a picture of daddy, so I let him sleep with a picture of daddy.  Yes, he’s spoiled rotten, but he’s also made a major transition.  He’s sleeping in a new, much bigger room, in a new, much bigger bed.  His normal surroundings and the comforts of his crib are gone.  The least I can do is let him sleep with a picture.

Follow the Routine

We’ve been following the same sleep routine since Weston was four months old when we transitioned him from our bedroom to the crib.  If there is one piece of advice I could give new parents, it would be to create a sleep routine.  No matter where we are or who does the routine, he knows it means it’s time to go to sleep.  Our routine has always been changing his diaper and clothes, reading a few books, and signing “you are my sunshine”.  We’ve kept everything the same.

Prepare for Hiccups

I’d be lying if I said that we haven’t had any bumps along the way.  There are nights where it takes him longer to fall asleep, nights where he asks one of us to lay with him for a bit, and even a few nights that he’s woken up in the middle of the night.  Not to mention the two times that he rolled off the bottom of the bed.  If he needs a little extra love, an extra book, or someone to snuggle with for a few minutes, we’ve given it to him.  Usually, that’s all it takes, and he’s good to go.

Be Consistent

In my opinion, sleep is the most difficult thing about being a new parent.  In our measly two years of experience, we’ve found that being consistent is the best thing you can do for your child’s sleep behavior.  You have to stick to your guns, let them know the rules, and let them know that you mean business.  Work through the struggles, make some adjustments, and celebrate the wins.

I sincerely hope these tips help you transition your little one to a toddler bed more easily.  If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below or shoot me an email!  Best of luck!

 

DISCLOSURE: Coffee and Coos is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.

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