From Crib to Toddler Bed: How to Make the Transition Properly 2026

Whether you have co-sleeped or the baby has slept in his crib from almost the first moment, there is no doubt that the moment always comes when we think about taking the step of having him start to rest in his own bed. Contrary to what is often mistakenly thought (in fact, there are many myths related both directly and indirectly to this wonderful and unique option), co-sleeping does not make “the child get used to it,” or that the transition to bed or even to his or her own room can be much more difficult. On the contrary, as long as the child is ready for it, it will be enough to take the step.

Whether the little one likes his crib, or simply wants to get out of it, it is important for every parent to take the step to his room. Even though it is easier when the child is older, the doubts increase when the child is still small. And it is normal for questions to arise such as when should you move to a bed, and how could you do it without problems, and in a completely and completely safe way?

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Even when the ideal moment is the one in which the child clearly expresses that he wants to sleep in his bed, and therefore in his room (it will basically become the clearest message that he is ready to say goodbye to the crib or his parents' bed, if, for example, co-sleeping had been practiced), there are also times - more than you might originally think at first - in which the child may end up verbalizing his discontent.

When is the ideal time to switch to a toddler bed

Unlike some developmental milestones that occur especially in early childhood, such as potty training and diaper training, or starting solid food, the transition from crib to bed is not always as natural as we might like at first. However, as a general rule, most pediatricians agree that parents should make the change before the child is able to get out of the crib on his or her own, with the consequent risk of injury.

In this sense, most toddlers have the ability to jump on the crib rail when they are about 1 meter tall and between 18 to 24 months old. This does not mean that some more agile babies try to get out earlier.

If the little one continues to feel comfortable in his crib, and has not yet become a natural climber, then it is okay to let him sleep there after 2 years, as long as aspects directly related to safety are taken into account.

What happens when the crib is needed for another baby?

Another factor that could determine when to move from the crib to the bed, or from the parents' bed to their room, is the arrival of a new sibling. That is, in fact, what happened to me. I am the father of two girls, one 5 years old and the other 1 year old. Until she was 4 years old, our oldest daughter slept with us (yes, we did and enjoyed the benefits that co-sleeping provided us). But when my wife got pregnant, and as her belly grew, it also made us all sleep a little worse each night.

So we took advantage of the moment to take the step, and encourage our eldest daughter to start staying in her room. And we did it in such a way that she felt involved at all times: she chose the paint color for her room, she helped us paint the walls... And the truth is that we were pleasantly surprised, since from the first moment, especially the first nights, she took it quite well (however, I still continue to miss her at night).

And no: co-sleeping did not make our little girl more emotionally attached, nor did it make the transition to her bed more complicated or difficult. On the contrary, we are the ones who “suffer” the process the most, to the point that we still continue to long for it at night.

Of course, even when it went well for us, we must be very careful when this is the reason for the change, or transition. Having a new sibling is a big change, and you may not want your older child to feel like he or she is being displaced. Therefore, it is vitally important to begin the transition three to two months before the arrival of the new baby, assuming, of course, that the child is already at least 18 months old. And if we do it immediately a few days after the new member of the family arrives home, he will inevitably feel that he is being displaced.

If possible, it is advisable to disassemble the crib or store it in a room where it is out of sight. Or try to make the crib not a comfortable place to rest, for example by filling it with stuffed animals, blankets and toys. Be that as it may, regardless of the reason for the change, we ideally want to do it at a time when there are no other important changes in the child's life. Hence, it is not advisable to avoid moving when the little one is abandoning his pacifier, or is in the middle of potty training.

How to Ease the Transition to a Toddler Bed

Before proceeding with the change, it is vitally important to plan all the logistics necessary to achieve it. Below we propose some tips and tricks that will be very helpful to you. Take note.

Choose the most suitable bed (for small children)

Some parents look for a bed specifically designed for use by toddlers, which is usually situated low to the floor, and offers the ability to accommodate an existing crib mattress. These beds often come with eye-catching children's designs, such as castles, cars or other interesting shapes for the little ones.

Other parents, however, choose directly to put the crib mattress on the floor in order to facilitate the transition. However, be it one way or another, it is essential to maintain safety first and foremost, especially during the first weeks. It is always possible to install a removable railing to prevent the little one from falling.

Let the little one participate

Let the child choose the color of the walls, help us paint if he or she is old enough to do so, choose the sheets, pillowcases, duvets and stuffed animals... The key is to get the little one involved, which will make the idea of sleeping in their new bed seem more attractive.

It is important to establish a bedtime routine

As at any time and stage of transition, it is essential to help the child establish a more or less predictable bedtime routine. It is a simple routine, which can include reading a story every night, talking about what you have done that day...

Young children often tend to be ambivalent about growing up and leaving their childhood behind, so change can be enormously difficult for them. Therefore, maintaining a constant bedtime ritual will help a lot. In fact, once they master that new skill, whether it's moving from a crib to a bed, or giving up diapers, it will give them a real sense of pride, and a real accomplishment.

Be patient: don't expect the transition to be easy or simple.

At first it is absolutely normal for the child to cry and insist on wanting his crib back, or on returning to the parents' room. Try to stay positive, and wait at least a month or two for him to finally fully adjust.

This newfound freedom can also lead mom or dad to go on quite a few overnight excursions. For example, it is normal that after putting the child to bed, and thinking that he is already asleep, we suddenly discover that he has gotten out and is walking around the room. Or when we put it back in, and it comes out again.

The key, as we see, is patience and maintaining consistency.