5 signs your toddler is ready to leave the crib

Toddlers in transition stage experience a lot of milestones. If you’re a mother and is keen with tracking your child’s development, this one might be important to take note.

Knowing when your child is going to be ready for a bigger bed can never be planned in a timeline. Some may have it earlier, but maybe your child can tolerate a crib a bit longer.

Just always remember to refrain from rushing or stopping your child from doing so.

To help you avoid your worries about it, we made a list of the usual signs your toddler is ready to leave the crib for a bed.

1. Your kid is too big for the crib

This is one of the most obvious signs that you can be able to spot. If your child’s feet already touch one end of the crib, it will be too uncomfortable for him to tuck himself up in there.

But don’t fret! This is also a great sign that your child is constantly growing and reaching his full potential.

2. Your kid consistently climbs out of the crib every night

When a kid climbs out of his crib, you may need to be alert every time. A kid has a tendency to do things on his own without you knowing. This may pose a safety issue for your kid.

Here are some tips that you can do to be able to temporarily stop him from climbing out of the crib (if a bigger bed is not available yet)

• Put cushions underneath and beside the crib, if ever he accidentally falls from climbing out
• Avoid putting stuffed toys or pillows on the side of his crib that he can use as a step to climb out
• Try to, as much as possible, position the crib at the corner of the room. This will lessen his room for planning his climbing acts.
• Before going to bed, always make sure to let him know that climbing out of the crib is a dangerous act. Explain to him without offending his feelings. Let him feel that you are already considering buying a new and bigger bed and climbing out of the crib would not help from rushing it so.

3. Your kid knows his bed-boundaries even without borders

If your kid has tried to sleep in a bed safe and sound, then that is one great achievement for him. Credit goes to your kid because he has the initiative and understanding about what he is allowed and not allowed to do.

But remember, even if he successfully did it a couple times, it is still a process that you both need to go through. Making some safety precautions may still be needed.

One tip is to put soft, broad pillows just beside the bed. This will help provide a cushion, if, by any chance, your kid accidentally falls.

4. Your kid often falls asleep with you in bed

You may think of this as your child’s thoughtful gesture (and we all love that), but sometimes your child can be too shy to tell you what he wishes to have. For instance, wanting a bigger bed.

So as a result, he often jumps in and sleeps with you on your bed. Try to take note of the nights when he does this. A tip is to directly ask him if he already wanted his own bed, so both of you can prepare and do some transitioning steps.

Knowing when your kid is in need of something is usually embedded in what you call as “maternal instincts.”

5. Your kid often asks you for a bigger bed

Some kids do not undergo some obvious signs that they may be ready for a bigger bed. But a few of them develops a thinking of having their own bed when they see some kids of their age sleeping in a bigger one.

Be cautious enough to ask your kid and assess the situation, if a bigger bed is already a good option to consider.

Knowing that your toddler is ready for a bigger bed is a great, but challenging transformation to both you and your child. Teaching your child to sleep on his own, in a crib, is already a lot of work. The next stage requires you to somehow go over the process again.

If you struggled for the first time, you need to remember that your kid is still a kid. He may not understand you fully, so be patient and go over with him again in a light and slow manner.

Know that at some point, your kid will definitely need to move to a bigger bed. And when that time comes, you both need to be ready for it. Not age nor other external factors and situation can dictate your toddler’s transition point.

Written by Ellaine Go Rodriguez