The Toddler Bed Transition

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When a baby starts to walk and go mobile, he officially becomes a toddler—it’s that wonderful stage between infancy and childhood.

But it’s also an intense time for a child as well as for the parents. Toddlers don’t want to be babies any more and are constantly striving for independence. They are leaving behind their pacifiers and diapers, facing new challenges, and learning new skills. Many are also are moving into a toddler bed, which has its own set of special challenges.

Moving from the safety of sleeping in a crib to the independence of a toddler bed may take a bit of adjusting for the child and parents. The toddler is now able to get out of bed at will anytime and wander around the house while mom and day are asleep. The family pet can now climb up on the toddler’s bed and to snuggle with the child—even if it is not allowed. Many children make the transition from crib to toddler bed easily, but some still cry for their crib and the comfort it provided.

Parents should never be eager to put a child in a toddler bed before the child is ready. If the child has not yet outgrown the crib and still has enough room to sleep comfortably, you may want to hold off making the change.

But once you are both ready, there are several things you can do to make the adjustment a bit easier.

Depending on your budget, there are an outstanding number of choices for toddler furniture, from functional modern beds to handmade beds shaped as racecars, fire engines, and castles. What ever your choice, you will want to include your child in the purchase even if it’s only in a small way.

After you select the furniture you will need to find toddler-bed bedding sets. You may want to take your toddler along on a shopping trip when browsing. Children will usually direct you to what catches their eye. If your child loves a certain cartoon character you may want to use it as a theme. If your toddler received a lovely quilt as a gift, you may want to plan the bedding around its colors. Easy-care sheets, cotton knits, and flannel bedding will keep your toddler comfortable and cozy throughout the seasons.

Be sure to check for allergy-proof bedding if your child wheezes or for waterproof sheets that pull the moisture away from the body if your toddler is a bed wetter.

Creating your child’s big kid environment can be a fun and memorable experience for parents and toddlers. These simple steps can provide a smooth transition for your little “big kid.”