From crib to child's bed, how to manage the transition?

Categories: Baby's Room

The big day has arrived, your child is leaving their crib for a big kid bed. This is an important step for them and a big step towards their independence. It's an event that needs to be managed gently step by step.

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When to switch from a baby crib to a child bed?

When it's time for your child to leave their crib, there are some unmistakable signs.

Your child will have difficulty stretching their arms and legs, they will throw their stuffed animals over their bed to make room and try to remove their sleep sack.

The last warning sign is when little miss or mister tries to "make a break for it" and you find them smiling in the middle of the living room when you had put them to bed an hour ago...  

Many young parents wonder about the right age to switch from a baby crib to a child bed. There isn't really a right age, you need to observe your child's behavior, they will let you know when they're ready. Generally, this happens around 18 months to 2 years.

A smooth transition

To avoid frightening or disturbing your child, there are some guidelines to follow. First, if your child has been sleeping in your room until now, it would be wise to start having them sleep in their own room before changing beds.

Once your child has gotten used to sleeping in their own space, start discussing this bed change with them. It's important that you involve your child in this change. Don't change the bed without them, as this could be disruptive.

Buy or convert their bed in their presence so they understand what's going to happen. Choose their new bedding with them, and yes, it's goodbye to the sleep sack and hello to the duvet and pillow afterward.

Which child bed to choose?

If you think that moving from a 70x140 cm or 60x120 cm baby bed to a 90x190 cm child bed will be too sudden for your child, it's better to think about it before birth and opt for a convertible baby bed.

This type of bed will be perfect for making the transition smoothly. Our convertible Evidence baby bed is ideal for this.

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You can also choose a barred bed with removable rails like the Bonheur bed or the Provence bed.

If your baby bed isn't convertible, we recommend the Féroé convertible child bed. The Féroé bed starts at 90x140 cm with safety rails. Your child will be in a true little cocoon and won't risk falling during sleep. When they're ready, you can extend the bed to 90x190 cm and remove the rails. A classic low child bed is also a good solution. To secure their first nights, place the bed along a wall and add a safety rail.

One last piece of advice:

Consider installing a night light in your child's room so they can navigate their new environment. This will also allow them to get up by themselves if they need to use the bathroom during the night.