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Moving from Crib to Bed
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An article from
SheKnows
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Elizabeth Pantley
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TEXT SIZE:
 
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Why move a child from crib to bed?
If a child sleeps well in his crib, don't rush the change. Switching to
a bed gives a child freedom and brings new issues for parents, such as
the yo-yo syndrome or early morning wanderings. The most common reasons
to switch:
Your child learns how to climb
Move your child out of the crib when the rail is up to the level of his nipples, since climbing out is more possible.
Your child outgrows the crib
Don't assume it's time! You may think that he's uncomfortable, but he may be content in his little nest.
Your child asks for a bed
If she's old enough, then go ahead and take the leap.
Your child is learning how to use the toilet.
Even if your child uses the toilet during the day, it's often a long while before bedtime dryness happens.
A new sibling is on the way
If
your little one loves his crib, then ousting him to make room for the
newcomer may add stress. If you feel that the time is right then make
the change two months or more before your newborn arrives.
What kind of bed should my child move to?
There are a number of options for a child's first bed:
Toddler bed
These are small, low and child-sized. They have guard rails on all sides, and come in playful designs.
Regular bed
A
common choice is a mattress, box springs and bed frame (with all sides
protected from fall-outs). Consider a double or bigger size to
accommodate the night-reading ritual.
Mattress on the floor
A
popular choice is a mattress or futon on the floor. This provides your
little one with a big-kid bed, but one that prevents any painful falls.
Bunk bed
Hold off on a bunk bed until your child is 6 years old, when it is considered safe.
How do we make the change?
Which
approach is best for you will depend on your reasons for making the
change, your child's personality, and the size of his room. Here are a
few options:
Big-kid bed hoopla
Some
children enjoy having an official Big Kid Day party. Set up the bed,
decorate the room and add a few sleep-related gifts like books and
stuffed animals.
One-step-at-a-time
Take
the mattress out of the crib and place it on the floor in the place as
the crib was. This gives your child the same sleeping surface and view
of the room as he's accustomed to. Place guard rails around the sides
to create a crib-like enclosure. Keep the same bedding and crib toys.
This is a mid-step between the crib and a real bed.
The gradual introduction
Set
up the new bed in the same room with the crib. Allow your child to play
on the bed and nap there. Do your bedtime reading in the new bed. This
will help your child get used to the bed gradually.
Patience and encouragement
No
matter which path you choose -- be patient. Big steps toward growth
often happen in spurts, and your child may be excited to welcome the
change one day, but wary of it the next. Maintain your nightly bedtime
routine and help your child develop a positive association with his new
bed, since he'll be sleeping there for many years to come.
About the author: Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry -- Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers
and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular
speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in
schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has
been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman's Day magazines.
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