You might have heard horror stories from other parents when their baby starts regularly climbing out of his or her crib. Suddenly, you have to worry about a child who can get around on their own, and may even be able to open doors! If this happens to you, don’t panic. There are things that you can do to keep your child safe when sleeping.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests moving your kids from a crib to a bed when he or she is 35 inches (89 centimeters) tall. At this point, they’re big enough to try to get out of the crib even with the mattress in the lowest position.
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At What Age Does a Baby Start to Climb Out of the Crib?
Most babies start to climb out of the crib between 12-24 months old. Some may even start earlier if they are particularly active. If you find your baby is starting to scale the walls of their crib, it’s time to make some changes.
How to Stop a Baby or Toddler From Climbing Out of the Crib
If you have observed that your little one has started throwing one leg or foot up on the edge of the crib rail, it’s only a matter of time before your toddler can launch himself over the crib railing. If you have already lowered the crib mattress to its lowest setting, then its time for plan b!
The best way to keep your toddler from climbing out of the crib is to get rid of the crib and move them to a big kid bed or a toddler bed. But there are a few things you can do to dissuade your little Houdini from climbing out of his crib.
1) Move any heavy furniture that could be used to climb out of the crib.
This includes chairs, ottomans, and dressers. You don’t want anything close to the crib that could be used as a stepping stool.
2) Use a sleep sack.
An age-appropriate sleep sack is a wearable blanket that will keep your baby warm and snug. It also has the added benefit of making it more difficult for them to move around and climb out of the crib.
Your baby may have trouble getting out of the crib if they are wearing a sleep sack. But they may also be able to get out of an ordinary sleep sack.
If so, you might want to try putting the sleep sack on backward to make the zipper harder to get to.
Moreover, sleep sacks help babies keep their bodies at the right temperature without getting too hot from having too many blankets. If a baby gets too hot, they are more likely to die in their sleep.
3) You can also lower the crib mattress to the ground.
As with many cribs, they come with adjustable mattress height settings. Adjusting your crib’s mattress to the lowest setting will make it harder for your toddler to get enough leverage to climb out and will make it more comfortable for them to sleep in. Note that this is not a permanent solution.
You may find there is a small gap if you put the mattress on the ground and the bottom of the crib. To prevent any accidents, its best to put a thick play mat underneath the mattress to close off that gap.
4) Make your baby’s crib their safe place.
This means that they should only be in the crib when they are sleeping all night long. If they are in the crib, they should not be able to get out. This will help to keep them safe and secure.
Additionally, you can also put their favorite toys such as stuffed animals and books in the crib so they stay there.
5) Put other toys away from your baby’s room.
Putting other toys away from your baby’s room will give your baby no reason to climb out of his crib. This includes anything they can use to climb on, such as toy boxes and climbing bars. You want their crib to be the only thing in the room that they can use to get out.
6) Remove the spring frame completely.
When you remove the spring frame, there are no more gaps for your little one to squeeze through. This way, they can’t climb out and hurt themselves. This will make it impossible for your baby to climb out of the crib.
7) Install a baby gate.
Baby gates aren’t necessary. But they can help prevent your baby from getting out of the room if she is already climbing out of crib.
Any toddler mom can follow these simple tips and be able to stop their toddlers from climbing out of the crib. Keep your little one safe and sound by making their crib a place they can’t get out of.
Moreover, crib climbing is a toddler stage that indicates your toddler is developing his physical abilities.
Why You Shouldn’t Get Crib Tents?
Crib tents were originally created to prevent babies and toddlers from hurting themselves while climbing out of their cribs. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) considers these products dangerous and an entrapment hazard due to serious injuries that resulted in deaths.
There have been reports of children becoming entangled in the tent’s fabric and suffocating, or getting stuck between the mattress and the side of their cribs. In some cases, children have even been injured when the crib tent collapsed on them.
If you’re considering crib tents to keep your child safe, we urge you to reconsider. There are safer alternatives that will provide the same level of protection without posing any risks.
For example, you should consider buying a convertible crib. It’s a type of crib that can be converted into a toddler bed when your baby is ready to transition from crib to bed.
Is It Dangerous for a Baby to Climb Out of the Crib?
A toddler climbing out of his crib can be annoying to many parents. Most importantly, it can be dangerous too.
Yes, it is dangerous for a baby to climb out of the crib, especially at night. If your baby is able to climb out of the crib, you should take measures to prevent him or her from doing so. There are a few reasons why it is dangerous for a baby to climb out of the crib.
First of all, when a baby climbs out of the crib, he or she is at risk of falling. Babies are top-heavy and their center of gravity is not as well developed as that of an adult. This makes them more likely to fall and hurt themselves when they climb out of the crib.
Additionally, it’s never safe to have babies escaping from their cribs in the middle of the night when the whole family is asleep.
Secondly, once a baby climbs out of the crib, he or she has access to the rest of the house. This means that the baby can wander into dangerous areas or get into things that he or she should not be getting into.
Finally, climbing out of the crib is a sign that the baby is ready to transition to a new bed. If you wait too long to make this transition, it can be difficult for your little escape artists to adjust.
If a toddler climbs out of the crib, it is important to take action to prevent your little escape artist from doing so.
Keep your toddler safe at all times and prevent injuries. For instance, you need to cover all electrical sockets in your baby’s room as soon as your little climber figures out how to get out of his crib.
What Is the Best Age to Switch to a Toddler Bed?
There is no hard rule on when a child should move to a toddler bed. Some parents do it when the child is 15 months old, while others wait until the child is three years old. Timing depends a lot on your child’s physical skills, like whether or not he or she can climb out of a crib.
Most children are able to make the switch between 15 months and three years old. If your child is on the older end of that spectrum, you might want to consider if he or she is showing any signs of being ready for a toddler bed.
Also, toddler beds may be a good compromise between a crib and a twin bed. It is just the right size for most toddlers and makes teaching good sleeping habits a lot easier compared to bigger beds.
Here are four signs that indicate it might be time to switch and stop using the crib completely:
Your child has outgrown the crib.
This is usually the most obvious sign that it’s time for a bed. If your child has been trying to climb out of the crib or is starting to look cramped, it might be time for an upgrade.
Your child is waking up more at night.
This could be because he or she is uncomfortable in the crib or because there’s too much space. If your child is waking up multiple times a night, it might be time to switch to a bed.
Your child is asking for a bed.
This one is pretty self-explanatory! If your child starts asking for a “big kid bed,” it’s probably time to make the switch.
Your family is expecting another baby.
If you’re expecting another baby and need to free up space in the nursery, it might be time to move your kids to a toddler bed.
If you’re not sure if your kids are ready to sleep in their own regular bed, you can always try a transition period. This means moving your child’s crib into your toddler’s room and setting up a bed in another room. This way, your kids can decide if they are ready to sleep in a bed.
How to Help Your Toddler Transition From Crib to Bed
The crib has been a safe haven for your toddler. It’s where they’ve slept soundly for the past few years, and it’s probably become their favorite place to be. But now that they’re getting bigger, it’s time to make the switch to a bed.
The thought of transitioning from crib to bed can be daunting for both you and your toddler. But with a little planning and preparation, the process can be smooth and seamless.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Start by talking to your toddler about the change. Explain that they’re getting bigger and need a bigger bed. Show them pictures or videos of other toddlers making the transition.
- Parents should make the transition gradual. Start by letting them sleep in their bed for naps and short periods of time for a few nights. Then, gradually increase the amount of time they spend in their bed until they’re sleeping through the night which can happen after a few months.
- Create a comfortable and inviting sleep space. Their sleep bed should be cozy and inviting, with plenty of pillows and blankets. Consider adding a nightlight or music player to help toddlers relax and have better sleep.
- Parents should stay consistent. Once you’ve started the transition, it’s important to stick with it. Going back and forth between the crib and bed will only confuse your toddler and make the process more difficult.
With a little patience and these helpful parenting tips, you’ll have your toddler sleeping in their new bed in no time.
Conclusion
As a new parent, it’s important to be prepared for anything and everything. One of the things you may have to prepare for is your baby climbing out of their crib. While a toddler climbing out of his crib can be scary and there are ways to help prevent your toddler from escaping, you should find ways to improve your toddler’s sleep habits and routine.
However, if the tips we provided didn’t work for you, don’t worry. This could only mean that your babies are ready to sleep in their own toddler beds.
By following the tips we outlined above, you can help keep your little one safe and secure in their crib.
