Is it Time to Move Your Child Out of the Crib?

My oldest child was 15 months old when my second child was born. The close age spacing of the kids meant we were a two-crib family for a few years. My oldest daughter loved her crib and was content to stay in it until she was a little past three. Her sister was a much more physical child and was ready to be in a toddler bed a little before two, so they gave up their cribs at the same time. How do you know when it’s time to move your child out of the crib?

Today Show co-host Jenna Bush-Hager recently stirred up the crib debate when she announced that her four-and-a-half-year-old son had just transitioned from his crib to a toddler bed. It was surprising what strong, primarily negative responses this admission elicited from her viewers. Many people expressed concern that a child just seven months shy of his fifth birthday was still in a crib. Bush-Hager explained the delay by saying her son Hal had said he wasn’t ready to move out of his crib. Suddenly, he woke up one morning last week and announced he wanted to move into a “big boy” bed. I love that she respected his feelings and waited until he was emotionally prepared. Are there other signs it’s time to move your child out of the crib?

Signs a Child May Be Ready for a “Big Bed”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child be moved out of the crib when they are 35 inches tall. This guideline is because a child of that height can crawl out of the crib even when the mattress is at its lowest. The average age to move out of the crib is between eighteen months and three years old. However, many other factors must be considered before packing that crib in the attic. Here are some signs it may be time.

• They are attempting to crawl out of the crib. This can lead to falls and injuries.
• The child is asking to move to a bed.
• They are completely nighttime potty trained.
• No other significant transitions are occurring in the family.
• You are expecting a new baby, and you need the crib. There should be at least a few months between the older child’s transition to a bed and the new baby in the crib. Otherwise, the toddler might feel displaced by the baby. Because my kids were so closely spaced, I borrowed a crib for the second baby.

There are no hard and fast rules, so don’t feel your child is “behind” developmentally because they prefer to stay in their crib. My three-year-old granddaughter has been nighttime potty trained for a year, sleeps through the night, and is past the recommended height limit. However, like her mother as a child, Sylvia loves her crib and does not attempt to get out. She has her world of stuffed animals and lovey blankets and is happy to sleep in her little nest. (Important reminder: No blankets or stuffed animals should be in the crib until a child is twelve months old!)

There are some advantages to a child staying in the crib a little longer than average. Some studies have shown that children in a crib are less likely to have sleep disturbances, sleep longer durations, and have less bedtime resistance.

Smoothing the Transition

When it is time to move from the crib to a “big kid” bed, there are ways to make the transition smoother.

• Involve the child in the process. Turn it into a fun, exciting time by allowing the child to choose the bedding, if possible.
• Set up the bed a week or two before you try to transition them out of the crib. This gives them time to adjust to the idea. Begin by encouraging them to take a nap in the new bed.
• Childproof the room. Childproofing the room was done before the baby was born, but new dangers might be within reach with them out of the crib. Make sure outlets are blocked, there are no loose wires, and no cords are hanging down from window blinds. Bolt bookshelves and dressers to the wall so they can’t be pulled over. Put safety gates on the stairs.
• Stick with the familiar bedtime routine. Children thrive on routine, so keep the familiar bedtime rituals.
• Expect setbacks. It may be a learning process for everyone. Expect to have to take them back to bed a few times in the beginning. If it’s not working out after a few weeks, don’t rule out bringing the crib back. They may not be ready yet.

The takeaway is to do what you think is best for your child and not let others shame you into action. Trust your parenting instincts to know when it’s the right time to move them out of the crib and into a bed. I promise they won’t go straight from their crib to their college dorm bed.