Shopping For Toddler Furniture How to Transition Your Child from the Crib to a Bed

If you think your little one is ready to move on from the crib to toddlers furniture, you may find it a little difficult to get them to make a smooth transition. After all, they've spent the first years of their life in the safe haven that is their crib, wrapped up in that cozy Precious Moments bedding, and now they're expected to leave their cocoon and move on to some new, unfamiliar bed. It can be a lot to handle for a little person. If you're uncertain about whether or not your child is ready for toddlers furniture, typically the transition should begin around 18 months to 2 years of age, or if they are beginning to climb out of the crib. So if you're ready to begin this significant developmental milestone, here are a few tips to make it as easy as possible on you and your toddler:

-Let them be involved in choosing the new bed. That way, it doesn't come as a complete shock when the crib is gone and a new bed is in its place.

-A great way to get them excited about the new bed, is to also let them pick out their own bedding. Find one with their favorite cartoon character on it, something they can identify. When they see these fin new sheets on their new bed, they'll be drawn to it.

-A really great way to ease them into the process is to have both the bed and the crib in the room at the same time, for a few weeks or months. That way your child will get used to seeing it, and will be more comfortable around this new piece of furniture.

-When the new bed and crib are both in the room, you can start your bedtime routine by putting your child in the new bed, and if they want to move into the crib later, you can put them in there.

-You can also start a new routine by having them take daytime naps in the new bed.

-Put any stuffed animals, throw pillows on the new bed.

-Once you've finally moved the crib out of the room, you should move the new bed into the same position that the crib was in. Just by placing in the same area, make it more familiar for the child because when laying the in bed, they still have the same things in their line of vision and can almost forget that they're in a new bed when it feels familiar.

-A key thing to remember in this transition is to not do it during a stressful time like after the arrival of a new baby, moving into a new home, starting a new daycare, starting potty training, and other monumental things in a toddler's life.

Moving on to toddlers furniture is a huge milestone for you and your child. If you're having trouble getting the transition to happen as fast as you'd like it to, remember not to frustrated and not to push your child. Listen to them and stay in tune with what they're feeling. Your child knows better than anyone when they're ready to move into a big bed and when they're ready, it will happen.