Why Toddlers Benefit From Staying in a Crib Until Age 3

Key Takeaways:

• Children under age 3 typically can’t understand bedtime boundaries, making it difficult for them to stay in an open bed.
• If you’ve already moved your toddler to an open bed, moving them back to a crib can help them get better sleep until they’re developmentally ready for more independence.
• Hatch Baby supports healthy sleep for every stage with soothing sounds and lights, along with expert sleep support from Hatch Sleep Consultants.

Table of Contents

1. Why Keep Toddlers in a Crib Until Age 3?
2. How to Move Your Toddler Back to a Crib
3. FAQs
4. References

Your active, growing toddler may seem independent — but when it comes to sleep, they still need consistency and support from grown-ups. That’s why, if you’ve already moved your child to an open bed, they may be struggling to stay in it all night. When you’re busy battling expectations, your child may not get the sleep they need (and the same goes for you).

For these reasons, we recommend families move their toddlers back to a crib until they’re old enough to understand and stick with expectations. The process requires some strategy, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Keep reading to learn the benefits of staying in a crib until age 3, and how to move your child back to the crib if you’ve already transitioned to an open bed.

Why Keep Toddlers in a Crib Until Age 3?

While many toddlers may seem ready to leave a crib, children under the age of 3 can have a difficult time with the freedom and responsibility that comes with an open bed. Developmentally, they simply don’t understand why they need to stay in bed, which can make it tricky to implement boundaries and consequences.

When a child is sleeping in an open bed before they’re actually ready, you may find yourself focusing more on keeping them in bed rather than helping them get the sleep they need. If you’re managing whether your child stays in bed rather than focusing on helping them fall asleep independently, it can be difficult for them to get the recommended 11-12 hours of nighttime sleep and 1.5-2 hours of daytime sleep. On the other hand, studies have even suggested that sleeping in a crib results in better sleep, including fewer night wakings.

How to Move Your Toddler Back to a Crib

If you’ve transitioned your child out of a crib before this time and you’re experiencing sleep struggles as a result, we recommend moving them back into a crib for sleep success. Here are a few simple steps to streamline the process.

Talk About the Transition

Communication is essential as you’re moving your toddler back to a crib from a bed. Leading up to the change, talk to your child positively about the transition. Tell them how excited you are that they will have their own cozy space to sleep in each night. You can also come up with a reward with your child to incentivize the transition: For example, each night they sleep in their crib for the first week or two, they can earn a special sticker or treat.

Set Up the Crib

It’s completely normal for your child to express frustration about going back to a crib after the freedom of an open bed. Involving them in the change can help. Invite your child to help you put their crib back together in their room, as this may help them feel more excited about the change. You can also have them help you move all of their bedding into the crib to create a cozy space they’ll look forward to sleeping in.

Remove the Bed From the Room

Keeping the open bed in your child’s room can be confusing and make it harder for them to transition back to the crib (and potentially lead to bedtime battles). To keep expectations clear, remove the other bed from your child’s room so they know the crib is where they’ll sleep each night.

Keep Your Routine Consistent

Consistency is key during any transition, including switching beds. Every night, stick with the same toddler bedtime routine before putting your child in the crib. Knowing what to expect can be soothing to your child, and following the same steps each night can also promote a healthy circadian rhythm for faster, deeper sleep.

Parents are typically more anxious than toddlers about transitioning back to a crib than their child. If they do ask about their big-kid bed, try to be patient. By the time your child is 3 or older, they’ll be more developmentally ready to transition into an open bed and learn the expectations that come with it.

Learn how Hatch Baby can help you create and maintain sleep routines for your child with calming sounds and lights, plus expert sleep support when you need to problem-solve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a toddler sleep in a crib?

Many toddlers can safely stay in a crib until around age 3, as long as they haven’t exceeded the crib manufacturer’s height or weight limits and aren’t regularly climbing out. Waiting until your child is developmentally ready can make the crib-to-bed transition easier.

What are the benefits of staying in a crib until age 3?

Staying in a crib can provide toddlers with a familiar, contained sleep environment while their impulse control and ability to follow bedtime boundaries continue developing. Waiting until closer to age 3 may also help make the transition to an open bed smoother.

What are the signs a toddler is ready for a bed?

Signs your toddler may be ready for a bed include consistently climbing out of the crib, reaching the crib manufacturer’s size limits, or showing the developmental ability to understand and follow bedtime boundaries. Age matters, but safety and developmental readiness are important factors, too.

References

1. Williamson, A. A., Leichman, E. S., Walters, R. M., & Mindell, J. A. (2019). Caregiver-perceived sleep outcomes in toddlers sleeping in cribs versus beds. Sleep Medicine, 54, 16–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2018.10.012
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Big kid beds: When to switch from a crib. HealthyChildren.org.