Transitioning From Crib to Toddler Bed

Transitioning your toddler from the crib to a bed can be just as much fun as back to back children’s birthday parties on a Saturday.

Unless you find children’s birthday parties fun. In which case this was the wrong analogy for you.

I have a few tips and tricks that I hope will help:

1️⃣ Get that buy in
This means incentivizing our toddlers to want what we want. Prepare them in advance and talk through what the expectations are (a visual social story can be super helpful!) Let them choose their new bedsheets/decor, etc. I’m not above using a sticker chart to motivate. It’s usually more effective if they are working towards a special date with you or quality time as opposed to something materialistic like a toy.

2️⃣ Set consistent and firm but loving boundaries and reinforce them
For example, consistently walking them back to their bed every time they get up (even though it is wildly disenchanting for you). After 3-7 days, it will most likely lose its appeal and they will stop getting up.
The important piece is that you choose what your boundaries are and then find effective ways to hold them. So maybe you are fine with them coming to sleep in your room but just not in your bed. In which case, you can set up a little toddler bed on the floor of your room for them to use in the middle of the night.

3️⃣ Empower them with choice
Toddlers love to be independent and experiment with having control. You can honor this by empowering them with lots of choice so when you set a boundary they are more likely to go along with it. This can look like choosing their pjs, what stuff they bring to bed, the book(s) you will read, the color of cup (for water) they bring to bed, the flavor of toothpaste, etc.

This is an overview of the three main keys to success. Every family and every toddler is different. If you’re looking for a more individualized plan, we would love to help! Let’s hop on the phone to create an individualized sleep plan with creative strategies that will work for your little one. (Click the link in my bio to check out our consultation options💕)

‪@YouTube‬ #1900subs #1900subscribers #toddlermomlife #toddlermom #newbaby #newmomtips #newbaby #expectingparents #expectingmom #babysleeptips #babysleephelp #toddlersleep #babysleepconsultant #sleeplearning #thepeacefulsleeper