Is Your Toddler Ready to Evict the Crib?

Originally Published: December 16, 2025

There comes a moment in every parent’s life when you look at the crib and think, is this thing still doing its job or is my toddler planning a jailbreak? The transition from crib to bed can feel big, emotional, and quite terrifying. After all, cribs are safe, contained, predictable. Big kid beds? Not so much.

One day you’re putting your baby down to bed in their crib knowing they can’t go anywhere till morning, and the next your toddler has scaled the side and is staring over you when you are sleeping. Before you panic about moving to a big kid bed, let’s talk about readiness, health, and how to make the switch without turning bedtime into a nightly escape room challenge.

Why this transition matters for health

Sleep is a major health factor for toddlers. Good sleep supports growth, immune function, mood regulation and brain development. A poorly timed bed transition can disrupt sleep and lead to overtired toddlers, which, let’s be honest, affects the entire household. The goal isn’t to rush this milestone, it’s to move when your toddler is truly ready, not when social pressure or cute furniture adverts suggest that it’s time.

Age matters, but not that much. Many toddlers transition from crib to big bed between 18 months and 3 1/2 years. Basically, when they start standing up and down and jumping at the side of the crib, you know that it’s time to start moving. Kids are wildly different. So what one toddler is ready for at 18 months, you might find your next toddler is not ready for until they are three. A toddler who is happily sleeping in a crib at three years old does not need to be rushed out of it. In fact, staying in a crib longer is often associated with better sleep and fewer bedtime battles. Age is a guideline, not a deadline.

The biggest sign: Attempting to climb.

If your toddler is trying to climb out of the crib, congratulations, you’ve hit the safety tipping point. Once climbing begins, the risk of falls increases, and it’s usually time to make that change.This is less about emotional readiness and more about physical safety. A fall from a crib is far less cute than your toddler thinks it will be.

A toddler who can fall asleep independently, settle themselves after waking, and understand basic bedtime rules is more likely to handle the transition quite well. A toddler who’s already struggling with sleep might find the added freedom quite overwhelming from a health perspective. Protecting sleep quality should be the priority here.

Can your toddler follow the rules?

Big kid beds come with big kid expectations. Your toddler doesn’t need to be perfect. That’s never something that any parent can achieve. But they should be able to understand basic boundaries like staying in bed at night time calling for you instead of wandering through the house and listening to simple instructions. You can always fix a gate to their bedroom door, so if wandering does become tempting, they can’t really wander very far. But if your toddler sees the bed as a trampoline or a launchpad, it might be worth waiting a little bit longer.

Emotional readiness is very real.

Some toddlers love change. Others need time to process new routines. Signs of emotional readiness include interest in the idea of a new bed, comfort with other transitions, and an ability to self soothe. If your toddler is already dealing with big changes like a new sibling, daycare switch or potty training, adding a bed transition may be too much.Health includes emotional stability, not just physical safety.

The pros of waiting.

Believe it or not, there are benefits to waiting around. Keeping your toddler in their crib a bit longer supports longer and more consistent sleep and reduces nighttime wandering. It also keeps that clear sleep boundary intact, which is more helpful for you as a parent than it is for them. For you, it can lower bedtime stress too. Despite what well meaning relatives may say, there is never going to be a prize for the earliest crib eviction. But you can still prep them without the pressure.

If you think that transition is coming soon, you can start preparing without making the switch overnight. You can start bringing the conversation around to big kid beds with your toddler as much as possible. You could read books about sleep transitions for social stories and let your toddler help depict bedsheets. If they’ve got older siblings, it will be a lot easier because they’ll already understand the differences between their beds, but practicing quiet time in the bedroom will help. Preparation can help the transition feel predictable rather than sudden.

Safety first, always.

Once the crib is gone, the entire room becomes the sleep space. From a health and safety perspective, toddler proofing is essential. Make sure that their furniture is secured to the walls and you’ve covered the outlets with other furniture. Remove cords and hazards and use a low bed or a mattress on the floor to get them started. Falling out of bed is pretty common after the sides come off the crib. You should also consider a baby gate at the door because while freedom is great, you want to control that freedom.

There will be an adjustment period. Even with perfect timing, it’s normal. Toddlers test the boundaries and it’s super exciting for them to be able to get out of bed for themselves. Consistency is key here, so keep bedtime routines the same. Return your toddler to bed calmly and avoid negotiating at night time.

Evicting the crib is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be dramatic. When the timing is right, the transition can feel surprisingly smooth. When you rush it, it can feel like bedtime chaos on repeat.Focus on their readiness, their safety, and their sleep health. They’ll get to be a big kid eventually. And when they do finally make the move, take a moment to celebrate. 

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Special thanks to the following source(s) for the image(s) used in this article:

• Image source: Pexels

• Image source: Pexels

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