Tips To Transitioning Your Toddler To A Big Kid Bed

You guys, I have been so excited to share this post with you! I am in LOVE with how Aria’s new room came together! I’ll be honest though, changing her room has been a little bittersweet! It means she’s just growing up, at a much faster rate than I really want! I mean she’s almost five, how does it really go this fast? The struggle of when to transition can be tough, so here’s some tips on how to transition your toddler to a big kid bed.

Aria had been in her toddler day bed since she first turned two. But lately she has grown so much and was really outgrowing it. So when Lull Bed reached out to collaborate I immediately thought we should get the mattress for Aria. Although having a nice new king-sized bed for James and I definitely crossed my mind, especially after chatting with a couple of friends that have this mattress! Anyway, one morning after taking Amelia to school I came home and had Aria help me with this huge box in her room. Oh my gosh you guys, it was the cutest thing! She was so surprised and excited. I’m sharing the clip over on my Instagram Stories, so be sure to check it out!

It’s actually been a couple of weeks now since she has transitioned and it has been amazing! She is sleeping better, even a little longer #EveryParentsDream, although I have to say she has always been a good sleeper, but she seems to be happier when it’s time to go to bed, sleeping in a bit longer and getting less hot at night. So for us, it proved to be the perfect time to transition her to a full-sized bed. Is your toddler ready to transition, if so here are some tips to make that transition to the big kid bed smooth and stress-free!

Tips To Transitioning Your Toddler To A Big Kid Bed

Assess Readiness – You may start noticing a few things from your toddler as signs they are ready to transition. If they are climbing over the crib rail, pulling themselves up but not quite over or they have simply outgrown it by height or weight. Our girls’ cribs are the 3-in-1 style from Pottery Barn Kids. So they went from crib to a toddler daybed. Amelia still has a toddler rail on hers, but this is much safer than her trying to climb out of her bed. I once watched her completely loosing it because she didn’t want to go to bed, so she tried to climb out but fell flat on her back and hit her head on the headboard. The next day I changed her crib to a toddler bed.

Prepare Beforehand – We actually surprised Aria with her bed. We knew she was ready and would be over joyed to switch, but some kids may need to be prepared beforehand. Some great ideas are reading book, Big Enough For A Bed, A Big Kid Bed is Coming or Your Own Big Bed, are great options. Other ideas are looking up videos of kids getting their new beds on YouTube.

Get your toddler involved – Ok so as mentioned above, we surprised Aria because we knew she was ready and wouldn’t struggle with changing things up. But, if you’re not sure get your child involved in the process. That way they feel like they picked out the bed they wanted, the bedding they wanted and feels more like their choice to move into the new bed.

Place bed in same place – This make it seem like less of a change. The bed is still in the place, just bigger. Another thing you might want to consider is not transition just before a big trip or move. Transitioning to a bigger bed may be stressful or anxious for them. SO if you can, ensure they have a several weeks to months to get comfortable.

Safety – Coming out of the crib means they are no longer confined to a small space. Your child is free to get up and out of bed. Here are a few ways to make sure their new bed is safe for them.

Side rails
Find a nice step stool for your child to make it easier and safer to climb in and out of bed, especially of its on a bed frame.
A soft rug under the bed can further cushion a child in an accidental fall.
Night Light

Maintain Same Bedtime Routine – This way the only change is the actual bed. Kids love a routine. They can predict what’s next and it makes them feel smart when they know what to expect and beat you to it.

Patience – Change can be hard for just about anyone, especially your toddler. Ensure them they are safe and you will be there for them during this transition. However, you may not have an issue. Aria jumped right into her bed and there was no turning back!

I hope you find these tips helpful! If you are looking to move towards a big kid bed, I would definitely recommend getting the Lull Bed mattress. It really is super comfy and I have really noticed a difference in Aria’s since moving her to this bed. If you are interested use this link and you can get $100 OFF your purchase!

What are some of the ways that worked for you when transitioning your toddler to a big kid bed? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Get Out There and have a Gorgeous rest of your week!