Sleep transitions always bring complications. For this reason, I think it is important to share with you some key recommendations to address the transition from crib to bed since if it is not done correctly, it can alter the sleep of the little ones completely.
So, to avoid this nightmare, below I share three secrets to make this transition successful.
1. Must be done between 2.5 and 3 years of age.
The transition from crib to bed should be done between 2.5 and 3 years of age. This is because the "big child's bed" implies rules that young people cannot understand. So, for example, once children move to "the big bed," they should be able to understand that they cannot get out of bed at any time during the night, just because they can do so.
I understand that 2-year-old children often look too big for the crib and start to climb it; however, we must wait until they are of the right age. If we don't, we run the risk of disturbing their sleep.
2. The rules of the big child's bed should be clear.
When you decide to transition your child to the "big bed," you should explain to your little one the sleep rules very clearly, which will change a little from the ones they had in the crib (e.g. bedtime, number of bedtime stories, etc.). Although all the rules will not be new, establishing them will help the child be clear about bedtime without generating high-stress levels.
A good strategy for this is to create sleep rules as a family and visually capture them on a billboard (like the example in the image). This billboard should be in the child's room where they can quickly check them,
3. A coloured clock.
One of the things that can cause the most trouble when transitioning to bed is when children should go to sleep and the time to wake up. Mainly, I usually see that children get out of bed earlier than usual or at inappropriate times to play around the house. So to avoid this, one of the "gadgets" that I like the most and recommend to parents is coloured watches.
These clocks are lamps that emit coloured lights that can be synchronized to change colour based on bedtime and wake-up time. For example, it turns red at bedtime, indicating to your child that it is time to be in bed and green when waking up. In my opinion, these watches are lovely, and the little ones love them. I recommend the most:
Mirari OK to wake up Clock
Hatch Baby.
I hope these three secrets help you make a successful transition from crib to bed. Additionally, keep in mind that of the three secrets, the most important is the first: the age at which the transition is made.
Sweet dreams!
* None of the objects mentioned here are promoted by the mentioned brands or for profit-making purposes. Recommendations made are based on experience with the products *