How to Tell When Your Child is Ready for a Bed

is toddler ready to move to bedThere’s no hard-and-fast rule as to when your child is capable of moving to a big kid’s bed. It’s one of those things you’ll have to decide for yourself. But here are some signs that it may be time…

1. Your toddler is asking for their own

This is a big sign and probably the most important. If your child is requesting their own bed, they’ll likely appreciate it when you provide one. It also means that he is able to understand and verbalize the difference between a bed and a crib, which means you’ll be able to create rules (like “We stay in our bed all night”) he understands.

2. You can live him unsupervised

Obviously your child isn’t old enough to be left home alone or in the car. But sleeping in a bed means your child can wake up in the middle of the night and roam your house without your knowledge. You have to be comfortable giving him that freedom. Will he get into anything dangerous? Is the house organized in a way so nothing harmful is available?

3. Your child doesn’t like the crib anymore

Even if your child doesn’t know a bed is an option for him, he may start to dislike the lack of freedom in a crib. Or maybe he begins insisting to sleep in your bed because the crib is uncomfortable. It’s super important that your child’s sleep space always be comfortable and soothing, not irritating or annoying – otherwise he will hate going to sleep.

4. Your child understands imaginary boundaries

This is a big one. If your child was only staying in the crib because he couldn’t get out, he isn’t ready for a bed. You must be able to explain that during the night and naps, we stay in our beds. Many parents switch their kids to a bed and find out quickly that their child will escape it every time they can. This means the switch was premature and they have to go back to the crib for a while.

5. Your toddler is climbing out of the crib

Even if your child isn’t otherwise ready for a bed, you have to switch once he starts climbing out of the crib. This is very dangerous. Even though you’ve see him climb out confidently a few times, it doesn’t mean he’ll always do it safely. He may try it in the dark or when he’s still sleepy and make a life-changing mistake.

How did you know your child was ready for their own bed?

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