How to Switch from Crib to a Toddler Bed Smoothly

Our son was 16 months old when we had to transition to a toddler bed for the same reasons (he actually climbed up and over and had a nasty fall out of his crib). It took us about a month. We started out by rocking him to sleep for a week and then carrying him into the bed. The second week we started just laying him in bed and reading stories and staying in there until he eventually fell asleep. We continued with that for the rest of the month and after that he was fine. We also immediately bought and put up a nice gate for his bedroom door. That way if he did get out of bed, he couldn't leave the room, so we didn't have to worry about his safety. We child-proofed his bedroom... and basically turned the entire room into the "crib". After that first month, he was doing great in the bed. Good luck!

Hi S.,

I totally agree with Marie's response. Our two year old was climbing out of her crib so we switched her to a toddler bed with built-in rails. She was excited to have a big girl bed but did have some difficulty transitioning. If she climbed out of bed and cried, we also would hold the door knob and sure enough she would crawl right back into her bed and take her 2 hour nap. It is a difficult thing to do but the end result can be very rewarding for everyone!!!

buy a guard rail for his new bed. he like the security of that we did it with my son, it worked pretty well.

Hi S., I know it is tough, but he has to learn and it may take some time for him to just cry it out. We switched our daughter about the same age as your son by converting crib to daybed. Gave her a bright nightlight, went through the bedtime routine and put her down. If she got up and tried to open the door, we held the door knob until she stopped. That usually took 5 minutes. Often she would fall asleep by the door so after she had been quiet for at least a half hour, we moved her to bed. Eventually, she would cry then climb into bed.

It's no fun to let your kid cry, but he is in a safe place and ultimately, this is best for the family because you'll all be well rested and happy in the morning. Choose your battles and know this one is one worth seeing through. Good luck to you! - M.

We moved our son to a new bedroom with a twin bed with rails on both sides at 17 mo., but kept the crib up in his old bedroom (nursery). We began by reading his naptime story in his new room, but carrying him to his crib (other room)to nap. Eventually he napped in there. Same for bedtime stories. We let him read and explore the new room. When we finally covered him up after his bedtime story one night, he didn't fuss. He did get up and walk around though, but within 15 minutes climbed back into bed and fell asleep. We watched him on a video monitor. All this took place over a 3-4 week span. Good luck.

Just wanted to send some very empathetic support! I have a 23 month old and we are just about to transition him to a toddler bed! Good Luck to us both!

Hi S.. I thought I would share a totally different approach. You could consider keeping Matthew in the crib using a crib tent and allowing him to get a bit older before the transition.

This weekend I transitioned my 3-yr old daughter from the crib into a twin bed, and it is the easiest transition I could ever imagine! Her age really must have helped. But I was having problems with my son escaping his crib right before Christmas (he was 19 months old). He threw himself over the side of his crib (very scary but, thankfully, no major injury) and we went out the next morning and bought a crib tent. The crib tent keeps him in safely and he cannot get out -- it is really working out well (although he was angry as a hornet at first!!) Seeing how easy the transition into a bed was for my daughter around age 3, I plan on keeping him in the crib until he is much, much older.

Best of luck, no matter which way you go!