Steps to Take Before Making the Move from the Crib to a Big Kid Bed

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If you are ready to make the move from crib to big kid bed let’s talk about the steps you should take first!

You may be upgrading to a toddler bed, simply taking a rail off the crib, or moving your child to a single bed. All of these bed styles are interchangeable. The point is that your toddler is leaving the restrictions of the crib and will now have the ability to get out of bed.

Why is it Time for the Toddler Bed?

My first question for you is why are you making the move out of the baby crib?

Are you expecting another baby and need the crib to be available? Is your toddler starting to climb out and you are worried about their safety? Maybe you are moving and don’t want to set the crib back up in your new home.

You could also feel that your toddler is getting too big for the crib or simply is ready to move on.

All of these reasons are valid. They can’t stay in the crib forever!

Your reason for moving on from the baby crib will dictate how much time you can put into preparing for the transition.

If it is a safety issue you likely won’t have time to implement my strategies. If you are simply ready to make the move you can take your time and put my various strategies to use.

Consider When You Want to Make the Change to Toddler Bed

As I stated before you may have many different reasons to make the move and those will impact your timing. I am going to continue to advise based on the assumption you have time.

First off I would not make this transition right before a vacation. It will confuse your toddler to be in a different place and in a different bed.

I would also recommend not making the transition when you are expecting overnight company. It will cause chaos in your home. This is a time for calm and consistency.

Also, watch out for any upcoming time changes.

Watch out for other large life transitions as well. I would not recommend going from crib to toddler bed right when a new baby is going to arrive. If you need the crib for the baby make the move a few months in advance. You don’t want your toddler to resent your newborn “stealing” their crib.

For more on adjusting to life with a new baby check out, How to Get Your Toddler Ready to Welcome a New Baby into the Family.

If you are moving homes it is a tough choice. You could see the new room, new house, and new environment as an opportunity for a fresh start. It could be the perfect time. With a move though comes a new home layout that your toddler is unfamiliar with.

They may be scared to be in a new room in a new bed. It may be too much to throw at them all at once.

I don’t think I would transition when moving, but I completely understand why some people would choose to do so.

Get a Consistent Bedtime Routine

Before making the move from crib to big kid bed you need to get a consistent bedtime routine if you don’t already have one.

Your child should go to bed easily in their crib.

If your child struggles with going to bed in their crib how likely do you think success will be in a bed? They will be waking up a million times.

You should have strong and consistent bedtime routines. They should know the order in which you do things.

Like diaper change, lotion, pajamas, vitamins, water, brush teeth, read 1 book and go to bed.

This is so important!

Have a routine that everyone knows perfectly.

Changes to Make Before Leaving the Crib

Are there any parts of your current night time routine that should be changed before making the transition to the toddler bed?

For example, you could switch your toddler to a big bed while still allowing them to have their pacifier. They could be sleeping in their bed perfectly for weeks. Then you decide to take away the pacifier. Now they are getting up over and over after being put to bed. They are begging for their pacifier.

This is where I would recommend removing the pacifier from the routine while they are still in the crib. They are contained and it is easier to manage.

Some other things I recommend you consider adding or removing from the night time routine include bottles or sippy cups of milk, pacifiers as I mentioned, and adding teeth brushing and toothpaste if you haven’t already. You could modify from reading 5 books to lowering the number to two books before bed.

My point is get things squared away and into the best routine possible before transitioning to the big kid bed.

The final thing I recommend you add to the night time routine is the Hatch light. Many parents use this when their toddler is in a big bed. It helps them know when they can get up.

Check out my full article 4 Benefits of Introducing the Hatch Night Light While Still in the Baby Crib.

You should actually introduce it before. You set it to a color and time when they wake up and go to sleep. Ours turns red at 8 pm and turns green at 8 am. Our daughter is learning that we come in to get her out of the crib at 8 am when the light turns green.

Again it is easier to teach this when they are in the crib and you are in control. Using the Hatch can help with consistency in bedtime and wake-up times.

Discuss the Plan for Making the Switch

You and your partner need to be on the same page as far as your plan for handling the switch from crib to bed.

You need to look at your calendar and decide when to make the move. Make sure around this time you are having very normal days. Don’t go to the zoo and skip nap time. You can’t expect success if your child is a hot mess.

Realize your planned date may need to be postponed for various reasons. They could fall ill and be out of sorts. If so simply delay the move another week.

When your toddler goes to bed will you cuddle with them? Will you read or sing them to sleep?

What is your step-by-step plan?

These are things you need to talk about, especially if both you and your partner take turns with bedtime.

I’ve got an entire article on why we take turns with bedtime, 5 Reasons Why It Is Important to Include Your Partner at Bedtime.

You need to agree to things both of you can keep up for the long term. Don’t set habits that don’t work for you.

We want something reasonable so we can stay consistent. It would also be great if the routine is something another caregiver, like a babysitter, can do. This would be something like having a special song you sing that a babysitter may not be able to recreate.

This routine should be basically the same as the previous routine while they were in the crib. THis is why we put in the prep work before making the transition.

Again the idea is consistency.

What has now changed though is that your toddler can get up.

I am not going to state what I am or am not comfortable with but I will say there are a wide variety of responses to a child getting out of bed and waking up.

Are you ok with your child joining you in your bed?

Would you consider locking your child in their room? I have heard of parents resorting to this.

Some parents will take them back to bed and read another story. Others will take them back to bed without engaging them or speaking to them.

Know what your long-term goals are when it comes to sleep in your household.

Everyone will have different expectations and limitations.

You and your partner need to know what response you will have in advance. Do not fly by the seat of your pants! Have a plan! A plan will result in consistency which is something your toddler will quickly understand.