What Age Should My Baby Use a Toddler Bed

Knowing when to transition from a toddler bed to a twin bed isn't always clear. Learn the typical historic period range —and the circumstances—that kids switch.

"Nosotros definitely won't be buying ii cribs," I told my hubby when we were discussing the upcoming arrival of our twins. Our eldest was 3-years-old at the time and had been sleeping in his converted toddler bed since he was two.

"No, nosotros'll definitely need to switch the toddler bed dorsum into a crib," my husband agreed.

There was no indicate in getting yet another convertible crib when the toddler bed could revert dorsum to its sometime land. But what about our eldest? Would switching from a toddler bed into a twin bed be a smooth transition for him?

When to transition from a toddler bed to a twin bed

We've all faced the dilemma: When should my toddler move to a regular twin bed?

After all, they've slept in a small, cozy bed all this time. We avoided potential falls with side rails and a low-to-the-ground superlative. At what age is a twin bed for, and is my child prepare for this big step? nosotros wonder.

Similar many milestones and choices nosotros brand for our kids, you won't find a i-age-fits-all dominion for sleeping in a twin bed. Some kids slumber in their toddler beds through five-years-erstwhile while others were already transitioned at 18 months.

That said, my toddler switched to a twin bed at three-years-sometime. And later surveying other moms, I learned that that'south about the mid-range for almost of usa. On average, many kids switch to a twin bed between iii- and four-years-former.

Simply information technology turns out, it's non always about historic period. Many of us transition our kids from toddler to twin beds either because of our circumstances or their developmental growth. Beneath, I listing several reasons that might make you more likely to make that switch:

1. A new baby is on the way

If you're like me, the decision to switch your child into a regular twin bed happened right around when yous were expecting a new infant sibling.

Your child has probable been sleeping in a converted toddler bed and would happily proceed doing so. Except the new baby needs a place to sleep likewise, which makes the thought of converting the bed back into a crib tempting.

Considering that she'll eventually outgrow the toddler bed, switching it dorsum into a crib can make sense. She also learns that she'south a big girl who gets a big kid bed, while the infant gets the crib. She won't experience like the babe "stole" her bed when she gets a new one herself.

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2. Your child is uncomfortable in a toddler bed

I kept hearing thuds and smacks as my twins slept in their toddler beds because they'd hit the boards as they moved around at nighttime. It seemed like every fourth dimension I institute them asleep, they were diagonal on the bed, as if maximizing all the infinite they could become.

Sometimes, y'all know it'due south fourth dimension to transition from a toddler bed when it's merely gotten too small for your kid.

Besides the size of the bed, the crib mattress might be getting too uncomfortable. Many crib and toddler bed mattresses are designed extra-firm for safe's sake. Not merely is your kid fast outgrowing the bed's boundaries, the mattress may not provide the comfort of a good dark slumber, either.

3. You're redoing your child'due south room (or moving to a new dwelling house)

Now that your older kid is growing up, yous might exist considering redoing her room. From new pigment to drilling shelves and even new construction, you start thinking ahead about her future bed. Putting in this much attempt around a toddler bed doesn't brand sense as designing it with a twin bed in listen does.

Or maybe you're moving to a new home, where you lot're not inclined to bring the old toddler bed with you. Instead, you have the option of getting a new twin bed, one that fits perfectly into the setup of her new room.

Either manner, the twin bed feels like a good choice in this "coming of age" moment for her.

4. The toddler bed is poorly made

Maybe you only converted your child'southward crib into a toddler bed and found that the "bed" version isn't nearly as good equally when it was a crib. It doesn't come with a guardrail. It's rickety. And all the years spent as a crib left the headboard scraped and the mattress frame cracked.

As hard every bit it may be to switch her over again into a new twin bed, the toddler bed simply isn't cutting it anymore.

5. The toddler bed has a maximum limit

And sometimes, parents simply stick it out with the toddler bed up to the maximum age or height and weight range. For instance, some toddler bed frames recommend using it for kids up to age five or 50 pounds.

Your kid sleeps fine in the toddler bed, and you have no other compelling reasons to switch any time soon. But once she has reached those limits, that's when yous know it's time to notice a new twin bed.

Best practices for transitioning to a twin bed

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Now that you lot've decided to ditch the toddler bed in favor of a twin, what are some best practices for a shine transition?

• Identify the mattress on the flooring. Worried your kid isn't used to sleeping without bed track? Starting time past placing the mattress on the floor for a few days or weeks. She'll be less likely to fall from a alpine height, and she won't accept to struggle with climbing on and off the bed.
• Add together a bed rail to the twin bed. Desire to get directly to a twin bed? Push information technology against the wall, and add together a bed rail to the other side of the bed. Brand sure to get a rail specifically for a twin bed like this (they're different from those that proceed toddler beds).
• Go fun new bedding. You'll likely need to get new bedding, blankets, and pillows, particularly if this is the outset twin bed in your house. Grab new ones your child will love and get excited most, so she has another reason to qualm the anxieties she might have.

What other parents say

I surveyed my Facebook page to meet when parents decided to transition from a toddler bed to a twin bed, and this is what they said:

"18 months, xiii months, and 14 months. We did floor beds with the second and third then they moved to a twin bed hands early on on."

"Just shy of 3. We actually went from cribs to full size beds for them. We did the retention foam bumpers that go under the sheets. It is likewise overnice that the beds are big enough for when nosotros have to snuggle them to slumber on a bad dark or for story time. "

" Funny you ask this! My twins are 4.v and looking into bunk beds right now! My oldest was about 5 when we bought him his bigger bed. We are very tiresome at doing things in our house! "

"A niggling over 2. "

" 2.5 "

" iii.75 years-old. He loves his new big boy bed but he notwithstanding wants us to sleep in his room with him ."

"A bout xv months one-time. He'd climb out of his crib getting wedged upside down betwixt the crib and wall ."

Conclusion

As yous tin come across, when to transition from a toddler bed to a twin bed isn't a 1-age-fits-all number and more than about your particular circumstances.

While nearly kids can sleep in a twin bed around three or 4 years old, other factors tin aid you decide. A new baby might exist on the way, your child looks uncomfortable in her toddler bed, or you're redoing her room (or moving to a new home).

Maybe the toddler bed is poorly fabricated, so yous'd similar to get a new i to supervene upon it altogether. Or she'south hitting the maximum limits of the toddler bed, signaling that it's time to become a new one.

Making that switch to a twin bed can feel similar a momentous milestone for everyone. As for me, it helped me avoid buying two cribs when I could get a twin bed instead.

Get more tips:

• How to End Bedtime Battles and Become Your Child to Finally Sleep
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• Find a iii Year Onetime Sleep Schedule That Works
• vii Proven Strategies to Handle Bedtime Tantrums
• Effective Means to Handle the 3 Year Old Slumber Regression

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What Age Should My Baby Use a Toddler Bed

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