Is My Child Ready for a Big Bed?

Knowing when your child is ready for a big boy or girl bed is not an easy task.  The difficulty in the decision often lies with the ambivalence of the parents – they want to allow their child to move along on their developmental continuum but there is some reluctance to let go of those “baby years.”

In addition, fears of a toddler roaming the house at night instead of being tucked safely in their crib, is an image that no parent wants to face.

Here’s an objective checklist to help you determine whether it’s time for your child to say goodbye to the crib and hello to a bed.

• When standing in the crib, my child’s chest is above the top rail.
• If my child rocks or jumps in the crib, the crib moves.
• My child can “escape” from the crib (NOTE: some babies can escape from their cribs – this does not mean they are ready for a bed!  Crib tents like this one from Tots In Mind are recommended in those cases).
• My child can follow simple instructions.
• My child has somewhat predictable sleep patterns.
• My child generally sees bedtime as a positive experience.

Next, think about the unique developmental information pertaining to your child.  If you answered yes to most of the statements above and your child has met the typical physical developmental milestones for his or her age, it is time to consider a bed.

You can read more on ways to transition your child to a big bed here.

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Laura is a licensed counselor with over 15 years experience. She is also the mother of two delightfully inspiring children. She loves sharing her passion for godly parenting with others. Through CfP, she provides consultation services and parenting workshops.