As infants turn to toddlers, they require certain changes to help them grow independent. The most important transition is moving the toddler into their crib/bed and guiding them to sleep independently. After your child’s first birthday, it is time to ensure they get used to sleeping on their own as the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is no longer a concern for your child. There are many misconceptions regarding toddler bed age guidelines and questions like, can toddlers sleep with blankets or when can toddler have blanket in crib? So, we are here to provide you all the information you need! However, for Toddlers from the ages of 1 year to 3 years, there are certain toddler bed age guidelines that every parent should be aware of. And so, we are here to highlight all the safe sleep guidelines for toddlers that you need to know:
Toddler Bed safety Guidelines
Listed below are all the safe sleep guidelines for toddlers or toddler bed safety guidelines that you should be aware of:How to create a safe sleeping environment for the toddler?
Initially, it would help if you made sure that the sleeping space that you prepare is toddler-friendly. Setting up a suitable and safe sleeping atmosphere is critical in assisting parents in ensuring that their children get enough sleep. These elements, including the toddler’s bed/crib, mattress to pillows, bedding, and lighting, contribute to a child’s sleep environment.Moving your toddler from a crib to a bed
Transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed can be done at any age. While some toddlers will move to a bed as early as 18 months, others might not be ready until they’re 30 months (2 1/2 years) old, or even 3 to 3 1/2 years old. Between these ages, everything is considered natural. There’s nothing wrong with a child (or you as a parent!) if you decide to wait until you’re sure they’re ready to move to a big kid’s bed. When other parents in your playgroups are transitioning their children faster, don’t feel like you’re falling behind. With all of this in mind, most parents begin to discuss moving the toddler to a bed around the child’s second birthday. There isn’t really a specific age when your child should be transitioned to a bed. However, there are a few telltale signs that it’s time to update. If your child exhibits any of the following behaviors, it might be time to introduce a bed, even if they are still on the younger end of the toddler bed age spectrum: Potty training and a crib do not combine. You need your child to be able to get to the bathroom quickly, particularly if they need to go in the middle of the night. Choose a toddler bed to keep potty training on track so your child can quickly go when nature calls. If your child’s head and feet can comfortably reach both ends of the crib, it’s time to move them to a toddler bed. If you have a mini crib rather than a convertible crib, this would be a problem. Convertible cribs are longer to match standard toddler bed measurements.Setting the Crib/bed
Young children are natural climbers who often attempt to crawl out of their cribs. Keep the rails up and the mattress in the lowest setting. Anything that a toddler might use to climb out of the crib should be avoided. It’s time to switch your toddler to a bed when he can quickly get out on his own. And with these protections in place, the toddler will still be able to escape from his crib. If this is the case, and he does it consistently, he should be moved to a toddler bed or a twin bed with a sideboard. Toddlers may switch to a toddler bed or a twin bed between the ages of 18 months and 3-12 years. A side railing can provide additional security. Moreover, ensure that your child’s crib or bed is far away from any things with connections or strings, such as window blind pulls, curtains, or electrical cords; also, keep an eye out for photo frames, mobiles, or other dangers that your toddler may be able to drag into his crib or bed. Continue to hold window-blind strings, curtains, and other potential tangle sources away from the toddler’s new room, just like you did with the baby’s crib. Moreover, if you want to know when can a toddler have blanket in crib, read below:When to give toddler a pillow and blanket
The primary question that arises here is when can you give a toddler a pillow. At the age of 1 year, your child’s blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals do not pose the same danger they did when he or she was an infant, and so, it is safe for them to sleep next to their favorite toys, pillow, blankets, etc. And if you are wondering can toddlers sleep with blankets, the answer is yes. The next question here is when to give your toddler a blanket? Additionally, most parents are confused about is when can a toddler start using a blanket. The ideal age to give a blanket to the toddler is when they move into their own bed or crib. There are various throw blankets, breathable blankets, stroller blankets, swaddling blankets, and toddler blankets in the market designed specifically for children. They are all safe blanket for toddler. Moreover, if you are torn when to switch from sleep sack to blanket, you should be aware that sleeping sacks are suitable for babies and not toddlers. However, make sure that the pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys are not too large for the toddler. In such cases, replace them with smaller ones so that your child can sleep comfortably with them. It’s perfect for your child to sleep with a thin blanket, small pillows, or stuffed toys after he hits the age of 18 months. If he’s in a crib, though, make sure the blanket and stuffed animal aren’t big enough for him to use to climb over the edge. If your toddler enjoys stuffed toys in his bed or crib, small ones are perfect. But limit your toddler’s toys to one or two; if he has more, he will be able to stack them and use them to climb out of his crib. Also, stay away from oversized toys, as well as those with ribbons or cords, which could suffocate or strangle your child. The Bamboo throw blankets, breathable blankets, and bamboo toddler blankets ensure that your child is not stuffed under heavy blankets that may cause breathing problems for them. Make sure always to choose a safe blanket for toddler. But if you are still concerned about when can you give a toddler a pillow or when can a toddler start using a blanket, you should wait until you are comfortable with the whole idea yourself.Lighting
Both babies’ and children’s sleep patterns are affected by lighting. Toddlers are also evolving and understanding the difference between day and night during the first few months. Allowing them to be exposed to light during the day, even if they are napping, and dark at night is the most effective way to encourage nighttime sleep. To encourage safe baby sleep, it’s a good idea to keep the baby’s room dark and quiet at night. While entering the baby’s bedroom, use as little light as possible to maintain a clear nighttime atmosphere. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the light keeps us alert and prevents us from getting a good night’s sleep. The same is true for babies and children so that everyone can sleep better in a dark bedroom.Determining the safe sleeping positions for the toddler
Sleeping on the stomach no longer poses a suffocation risk after your child turns one. As a result, you should let your child sleep on his back, stomach, or hand. Toddlers may rest on their stomachs or their sides. Allow them to choose the most comfortable place. There are four traditional sleeping positions, but for infants, toddlers, and older children, back sleeping is the best choice. The following are some common sleeping positions:- On the back
- On the stomach
- To the Left
- Fetal position.
