If your baby is ready to give up the crib, you need more than new toddler bedding for this transition.
Here are a few tips to help your toddler through the new sleeping arrangements.
Choose the Right Time Kids generally shift to a bed when they're 2 ½ to 3 years old.
It's important to focus on their physical readiness.
If they have started to climb out of the crib or if you notice them needing more room then they're at a stage that requires their own bed.
A bed is safer for 3 year-olds because they are actively exploring and climbing various things.
This is dangerous when they decide to scale the crib's rails because they could easily fall to the floor and injure themselves.
Choose the Right Bed Get a bed large enough to accommodate your rapid child's growth.
It should ideally last through the elementary years.
However, the bed should also be small enough to make your child comfortable.
You don't want them to feel lost in such a large bed.
A medium sized bed could be filled with favorite stuffed toys or column pillows during the initial years.
Avoid Sudden Movements The transition should be gentle.
Initially, the child may not like the new bed but gently telling him about the advantages of having a bed could help.
You can talk about getting a new bed for them weeks before the bed arrives.
Make it sound like an important and positive thing.
This will make them look forward to the change.
Invite Them to Design the Bed Let them pick the design of their sheets to make them comfortable with the idea of a bed.
Favorite character toddler bedding is popular among young children.
They could lay out some of the sheets and help fold or arrange the new blankets.
Colorful new toddler bedding is an attractive addition that will make them like the bed immediately.
Keep the Crib for Awhile Your child has established associations with the crib.
It's a place of comfort, for play and for sleep.
Put the crib in the child's room until she is okay with getting rid of it.
If the child refuses to sleep in the bed then don't force her.
Let her sleep in the crib but encourage her to use the bed during the day for naps or as a play area.
This will make her think of the bed the same way she perceived her crib.
After some time she will be comfortable sleeping in the bed at night.
Keep it Familiar Use a similar design or color scheme she had in her crib.
Fitting the bed with similar toddler bedding that is similar to the sheets they had in her crib will be a great comfort.
In this way the toddler perceives that the bed is not that different from the crib after all.