Besrey - Oct 30 2025

Sleep Success: Transitioning Your Active Toddler to a Big Kid Bed

If you’re noticing an uptick in crib escape attempts, it might be time for your toddler to start sleeping in a big kid bed. Even if they’re not eager to get out of their crib, as toddlers grow, they start to get too tall to fit comfortably in standard cribs. As much as you might wish they would stop growing up so fast, it’s time to face reality and start thinking about upgrading to a toddler bed – or skip right to a kid’s mattress.

Telltale Signs to Switch to a Toddler Bed

No matter where your child is on their sleep transition journey, it’s important to remember that all kids are different! Some toddlers will be ready to move on from their crib between 18 and 24 months. For others, they won’t begin to show signs of a major sleep transition until they’re closer to 3 years old.
Here are a few signs that could let you know it’s time to start shopping for a kid’s mattress:

•Crib Escapes: As mentioned, when toddlers are regularly escaping -- or trying to escape -- from their cribs, it could be because the space is no longer big enough for their comfort.
•Height: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children over 35 inches tall transition out of a crib and into a toddler bed.
•Curiosity: Especially if toddlers have older siblings or classmates in big kid beds, they might start to talk about wanting one of their own. These conversations are a great way to let them initiate the sleep transition.

Nailing the Sleep Transition

Once you’ve determined that your child is ready for a bigger bed, or once they’ve let you know, it’s time to start the transition. It can be a difficult transition for kids and parents alike; as toddlers get used to their newfound freedom and parents adjust to a child who can get in and out of bed on their own, there are a few things you can do to make the sleep transition easier for the whole family:

1.Invest in a bed your toddler is excited about. If you can get bedding that features a character they love or invest in a unique big kid bed, like a racecar bed, the excitement can smooth out any challenges.

2.Be sure you’re creating a safe sleeping environment in your child’s bedroom. Since they’re no longer constrained to a crib, they need to be protected from dangers like open windows and falling furniture.

3.Set (and stick to!) a bedtime routine. Letting your toddler associate certain activities with bedtime. Brushing their teeth, reading a story, and putting on pajamas can help them feel tired enough to sleep.

4.Be patient. Toddlers are going to test the limits. They’re going to get out of bed, ask to go potty 10 times, and tell you they’re hungry right after story time. It’s all normal, but it’s up to you to set boundaries around those behaviors.

Comfort Starts at Bedtime

The transition out of a crib is the start of a new era. It means your little one isn’t a baby anymore – they’re becoming a kid. And once they start moving into the “kid phase” of life, they need a big kid bed to match. With the right preparation and a bit of teamwork with your little one, you can help your little one move to a toddler bed or a kid’s mattress without any fuss.