Transitioning To A Big Kid Bed

Hi Friends! I wanted to share with you one of my most popular posts from last year. I updated it a little and hope you all find it helpful.

 

 

 

Well, Ryder is officially out of the crib and sleeping in a big bed! And it was actually surprisingly easy. I thought it would be a hard adjustment because we also put him in a whole different room. It's a big relief checking this off my huge to do list before baby #2 makes his arrival in just a few short months. 

We ended up buying a twin bed instead of a toddler bed so he can sleep in it for a long time. Instead of big bulky rails we gotMagic Bumpers Portable Child Bed Safety Guard Rail (two-part) 48 Inch - Set of TWO Bedrails (24" x 4)

  from Amazon and we love them! They just go under the sheets and do not move. They prevent Ryder from rolling off the bed but he can also climb over them to get in and out. Plus they look so much better than those big rails! I plan on doing a post on his room when it's all finished so keep an eye out!

The first night I thought would be the hardest but he ended up falling right to sleep and didn't get up at all during the night. When he woke up the next morning he just laid in bed and called "mama!" The next night was a little harder, he climbed out a few times before falling asleep but it wasn't bad at all. The hardest thing I'm finding with the new bed is he wants me to lay with him until he falls asleep, but other than that it is going really smooth. Ryder also rarely naps {I know....crazy right??} so the new bed didn't really effect that. 

Here are a few tips that I found helpful during our transition. 

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1. Let them help pick out the bed or bedding: We took a day and went and looked at beds with Ryder. He got to sit on the beds and help us pick one out. We let him know that it was his and made it exciting for him. 

2. Sleep only: Once we got his new bed set up, we let him sit and explore on it but we also made it clear that his bed was for sleeping only. That way he knows when I lay him down that it's time to sleep, not to play. 

3. Transition when you have plenty of time: It is expected that they will get out of their bed and there will be some nights that you will have to go lay them down a hundred times. So make sure you do it on a weekend or when you know you have time to stay up a little later than normal. Nobody wants to get up early for work after a long night of toddler wrangling. 

4. Be consistent & stick to a routine: Pick a day when you will start the transition and never look back! It will only confuse them if you go back and forth between a crib and a big bed. Don't give up even if you are up all night with them. The first few nights are the hardest but they learn fast and will soon understand that this is where they now sleep. We also don't let Ryder sleep in our bed. We found the transition easier because he has one set place to sleep. He knows that if he gets out of bed and comes in our room we will just take him back to his bed. Co-sleeping works for some people, just not us. 

Sticking to a routine is important. Because we do it every night Ryder knows that after some milk, a warm bath, and reading some books that it's time for bed. Obviously life gets busy and some nights are different, but he still knows the basics of preparing for bed and I believe it helps with bedtime. 

5. Let them know they did good: When they wake up let them know that you are proud of them for doing so good. I made the following morning a big deal when I greeted him in his room. He had a big smile on his face and knew he did good. 

Now obviously I'm not an expert and all kids are different, but this is what we found helpful and I hope you do too!