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By Elizabeth
Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution
When your child
moves from crib to bed it’s a milestone in his life as well as
yours. There is no precise time for making this move, though
typically it’s between the first and third birthday. The key to
success is to be patient and allow your child time to adjust to the
change.
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.
This
article is a copyrighted excerpt from
The No-Cry Sleep
Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Elizabeth
Pantley (McGraw-Hill, 2005)
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