Transitioning to a new bed

Play the “Snug in My Bed” song

If you aren’t ready, there’s no rush to move your child out of their crib. In fact, experts say the transition can wait until age 3—even if your child asks to sleep in a bed or tries to climb out. When you make the switch, try not to combine it with other transitions—like a new sibling or giving up their pacifier. Here are some tips for helping your child transition to a new bed.

Set up their new bed together

Include your child in preparing their new sleeping space by making the bed together with sheets, a blanket, or a special pillow of their choice. You can spend a few extra minutes snuggling or reading a book in their new bed during the day as practice for bedtime ❤️

Practice through play

Your child may enjoy putting their doll or stuffed animal to bed alongside them. Help them play out all the steps of their “big kid” bedtime routine with their doll—brushing teeth, story time, singing the Snug in My Bed song, and getting tucked in.

It can help to act out what would happen if the doll got out of bed at night or needed to use the potty, letting your child play the adult while you play the child’s role with the doll. You can have the doll say, “It’s dark out and I’m awake. I’m going to get out of my bed and get into my parent’s bed.” Then let your child be the one to “correct” the doll by saying, “You need to stay in your bed all night.” You can also role play what happens if the doll has a nightmare or needs to go to the potty. 

Establish—and reinforce—the boundaries

It may take some time for your child to adjust to the relative freedom of their new bed. Set clear expectations about what they should do if they wake up in the night or early in the morning: “If you wake up and it’s still dark, cuddle your doll and go back to sleep. If your clock is green, you can play on your bed until I come get you.” Praise your child when they stay in their bed. You will likely have to reinforce these guidelines several times before they stick.

What about potty learning?

Staying dry during sleep typically doesn’t happen for months or even years after your child is consistently using the toilet during the day.

Until going to the potty becomes an intuitive process, your child is more likely to wake up every few hours and ask to go to the bathroom. You can honor their request without making it fun. Take them quietly to the bathroom, keep the lights dim or off, and limit your interaction. When they’re done, bring them right back to bed.

If your child is younger than 5 years old and wetting the bed, it’s okay to put them in a pull-on diaper at night. You can refer to their pull-ons as “nighttime underwear” and explain that learning how to wake up and use the potty takes more time.

More expert advice

The Lovevery App
Download our app to get free answers to your parenting questions. Send a quick note in the Ask & Learn tab, and you’ll hear from a Lovevery child development expert within 72 hours. 

The Lovevery Podcast
In the Transitioning from Crib to Bed episode of the Lovevery Podcast, we learn from Dana Obleman, the creator of The Sleep Sense Program, how and when to make the switch, as well as ways to support your child through tricky moments in this important transition.

Transitioning from crib to bed – My New Life

Switching your child from a crib to bed can be a big milestone! Most sleep experts recommend waiting until your child is around three years old.    Jessica Rolph, your host,  is joined by Dana Obleman to discuss what factors might go into that timing. Dana is an Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and the creator of The Sleep Sense Program.   Highlights: [1:08] What are the signs that your child is ready to make the switch from a crib to a bed?  [1:50] What should parents do when their child is climbing out of the crib? [3:30] How much weight should parents give to their children's request to be in a big bed?  [4:39] Night training in a bed: Will your child keep you up all night with requests to go to the potty?  [6:13] What can parents do when their child is potty trained during the day but not as confident at night? [8:02] If parents are welcoming a new sibling and want to use the crib for the baby, how should they manage this situation with their toddler?  [9:45] Is there anything parents can do to make the crib more comfortable for an older child?  [11:17] How can you best prepare a child for this transition? [13:11] What kind of bed does Dana recommend parents transition to?  [14:06] How concerned should parents be about the child rolling out? [14:56] What kind of child-proofing needs to happen when a child has access to the bedroom at night?  [16:14] What are some positive ways to handle night waking?  [17:43] Dana speaks about co-sleeping. [19:52] Does Dana have tips for parents that were co-sleeping and now making the switch? [21:09] Dana explains why sleep is a skill. [21:58] Jessica shares the key takeaways from her conversation with Dana Obleman.   Mentioned in this episode: Brought to you by Lovevery.com   Receive weekly emails about your child’s development, and stay in the know about new play essentials, promos, and more by signing up at Lovevery.com Follow Lovevery and Jessica Rolph on Instagram.  

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