Timing depends on your child's physical skills, as you'll want to make the transition before your tot learns how to escape the crib, said Harvey Karp, M.D., pediatrician and bestselling author of Happiest Toddler on the Block. He recommends putting the mattress on the crib all the way down after your child's first birthday and padding under the crib with a carpet or mat.
"Generally speaking, if your toddler seems like she's plotting her first crib escape, or you've caught her vaulting commando-style over the railing, it's probably time for her to move to a bed," Dr. Karp told POPSUGAR. "If you're pregnant, it's usually best to move your toddler out of the crib a few months before the new baby arrives . . . but beware: if you move your toddler to a bed and the next week move the baby into her old crib, your tot may feel jealous — like you gave her beloved possession to the new intruder!"
If your child hits 3 and hasn't launched an escape or welcomed a sibling, you can begin to transition then. Both of my mini climbers escaped their crib prisons before their second birthday.
