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Expert Q&A
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| By Elizabeth Pantley Child Behavior Expert Better Beginnings, Inc. | ||
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What is the easiest way to make a transition from a crib to a toddler bed?
When a baby moves from crib, cradle or your bed to his very own bed it's a milestone in his life as well as yours! Babies, of course, grow a little every day, but switching to a big bed is a very visible step in his moving from babyhood to childhood. There is no "perfect time" for making this move, and it is different for every child. Typically, though, a big kid bed enters the picture some time between your child's first and fourth birthday. The most important key to success in this endeavor is to be patient and allow your child to adjust to the change with as much pleasure, and as little trauma, as possible.
A grand way to introduce the idea of a bed versus a crib is to place a mattress on the floor near the crib. Buy fun new sheets and maybe even decorate the wall around the mattress and add a bunch of your little one's favorite stuffed animals. For a time, use the mattress as a place for your pre-bed nighttime stories and cuddles. After a time, give your child the opportunity to choose to sleep either in the crib or on the mattress. (Make certain that the room is well child-proofed!) When your child begins to sleep in the "big kid bed," let him use the blanket he's familiar with instead of switching to the traditional tucked in sheet and cover.
When you present this change as a wonderful, fun experience, and if you allow your child to make the move on his own time table, most children will be excited about this step up into a big kid world.
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