What Age?
When the baby is growing up it feels so nice.
It even gives the parents a sense of satisfaction seeing the far their bundle of joy has come.
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It is such a fulfilling time when the time reaches for the baby to transition from the crib, the pack n plays and the cot to the bed.
You should however take time to prepare your baby psychologically and even emotionally before you move them.
It might be a very minor action but it is a stage that is important to them. It is a phase in their lives.
You should talk to them before moving them, make them understand why it is important and you will have a nice transition with your kid.
You may be excited to start decorating your kid’s room with cartoon pictures and toys and even transitioning him or her to his own room but take it all slow.
There are steps you need to take so as determine whether the baby is really ready to move to a bed from a cot.
There are guidelines that you can follow to help the baby move and start sleeping in his or her own bed.
We have highlighted some of the measures to take during this change.
How to understand when its right for baby to use the bed
Right time
You should wait until the baby turns 3 or even 4 years old depending on the baby.
Children below this age have an issue understanding the boundaries.
This is why the crib is so safe for them because it has rails to restrict them.
Ensure your baby is at least 3 years before you move them to a bed.
If you move them earlier be prepared to always wake up in the night to check if your baby is wandering in the house alone, or even while, sleeping be prepared for your little unwanted visitor, in your bed during the night.
When they climb out of their crib, is not reason enough to make the move
Every baby at the age of two years is extremely active.
She may sleep and wake up in the middle of the night and climb out of his or her cot.
This should however, not trick you as a parent, into thinking the baby is fit to move to his or her own bed, when they start climbing out of their crib.
You should give them time because this is the start of the transition which also goes on dawning on them slowly by slowly.
In such a situation look for ways to counter his or her escape.
If the crib has higher railings on one side then turn that side outwards, so as to make his or her escape harder.
When they turn 3 years then you can start considering him or her to start using the bed.
How to make the transition to the bed effective?
When the baby is old enough to start sleeping on a bed, you should make the whole moving process fun and make sure you involve them.
Make a big deal of the whole bed transition
Make sure your baby knows how proud you are that they are moving to their own bed.
Involve them in choosing their bedding and even in decorating their bed area.
Take them out to shop for what is needed for them to move to their bed.
You can get them a toy they like and make it act like a companion for them during bed time.
Ensure your child is safe and feels safe in the room
You should ensure that the room your baby moves into is safe and comfortable for them.
Always ensure that your kid feels safe in that room.
Ensure their room is cleaned and even put away toys and books.
Remove anything that might hurt them or even threaten to hurt them.
Make bed time rules
You should make bed time rules for the baby with him or her.
Involve her in making these rules. You can make a routine poster for he or she to use.
Ensure you give her choices of what the routine should be like.
You can write either brushing teeth and a bed time story.
Give her the liberty of what she wants to do before what and after what.
For example, you can ask her when she wants to wear her pajamas is it before brushing teeth or after brushing teeth.
Ensure the whole routine points out his or her nap times and regular sleep times.
Ensure when all the plans are solid ensure you get involved during her bed times.
You can read him or her a story and even you can kiss them goodnight.
You can give them a cuddle to reassure them in case they want your attention.
Get a plan as a parent in case the child escapes
Babies are full of mischief especially during that age.
You may make the whole transition tactics, but the baby will manage to escape from their bed.
You should not tolerate this behavior.
It might take a long time for them to understand that they should be in their bed.
You should correct this action firmly but with love.
Whenever they escape return them back to his or her bed silently and patiently.
Do this consistently until they get the whole point.
Conclusion
The best time to move the baby to their own beds is around the age of 3 to 4 years.
Your baby may have outgrown sleeping in a cot.
You may want to move your baby to a bed when another baby arrives.
This is where the baby should be made to understand that there is growing up, and transitioning to a bed, is part of it.
When the child moves to a bed to help them move psychologically too, you can place the bed in the same position that the cot was.
This is in case the cot was in a separate room from yours.
Always help your baby to adjust to the fact that he or she is sleeping on their own in his or her own bed.
Ensure that the whole house is safe in case they wake up un-monitored.
Place the medicines and other chemicals in the house out of their reach.
This is a moment that you should prepare your child for fully, do not do it in a hurry.