The crib is designed to keep the baby safe inside. With walls on all sides, you may think a baby can’t leave the confines of their cribs when it’s time to sleep.
However, some babies are smart, and they see escaping a crib as a challenge, not an impossibility. As a result, parents cannot help but exclaim, “My baby climbed out of the crib with ease again!” When that happens, you may not know what to do.
This particularly happens when a baby is getting older and is able to use their arms and legs much easier. They become curious about their world and notice that they can climb up things. When that happens, you’re in for a rude awakening.
So what could you do when your baby climbed out of the crib? We have a few options.
Don’t Make A Scene
When your baby climbs out of their crib, you may get surprised, annoyed, or show another big emotion, and your toddler may get a kick out of it. Even if you yell, this can incentivize your toddler to try it again. Babies love seeing their parents have a reaction, as they believe that this is a good thing. Instead, keep calm, and put them back in bed. This may prevent your baby from doing it again the next time.
Tell Your Toddler No
Instead of reacting, just say no. Especially if you see them trying to do it. By this age, your toddler should associate the word “No” with something they shouldn’t do, and they may stop doing it if you just tell them no.
Look At The Items In The Crib
Chances are, your toddler’s crib is filled with toys, books, and other goodies. While you may not think anything of it, these toys may create stepping stones for your child, giving them a boost when they’re trying to get out of the crib. Remove anything that could help them up, especially if you witness your toddler using it.
Make Sure The Crib Is Comfortable
While some toddlers are able to climb out of their beds with ease, others like staying in the crib because it’s comfortable. If your toddler isn’t comfortable, you may want to look for reasons as to why that is. You may need more mattress support, newer blankets, and so on.
Wearable Blankets
Also known as swaddles, these are blankets that you wrap around your baby. They prevent the limbs from lifting high enough so your baby is climbing, but also keep the baby comfortable as well, allowing them to get as much sleep as possible.
A swaddle does have a weight and height limit, and it’s important that you start them young. The swaddle is also not something that’s a permanent solution, but instead a good way for you to solve the problem until you think of other ways. That swaddle can only last for so long, especially if you have a growing child.
Lower The Mattress
If the crib mattress is a little too high, that can be the problem. Having it too high can make it easy for a growing baby to climb out of it while lowering it can make climbing out a bit more of a challenge. You can try lowering the mattress and see what it does for your baby.
Maybe It’s Time To Upgrade The Bed
If your baby climbed out of crib again, maybe it’s time to get a new bed. Your toddler may need a toddler bed or a twin bed. If your toddler is near 18 months, it may be time to upgrade the bed. However, with that said, you may want to change the room around and make sure it’s suitable for your toddler.
How To Know It’s Time To Upgrade
With that said, you want to keep the crib as long as possible, and by doing some of the above steps, you can. However, your kid is going to outgrow it, and here are some signs that it’s time to upgrade.
Potty Training
If you’re teaching your child to potty train, it’s time to get rid of the crib. Having a bed makes it easy for them to be able to go to the toilet whenever they haven’t done so.
It’s Hard To Lift Them
If you’re having a difficult time putting your baby in and out of their crib, you may want to consider upgrading to a bed. Not being able to lift the kid can be a sure sign that it’s time to get something else. By letting them outgrow the crib, it’s a safety hazard and a hassle.
Another Kid Is On the Way
If you’re having another kid, maybe it’s time to give the crib to the new baby and put the toddler in their own bed.
Going From Crib To Bed
Changing from a crib to a bed can be a hassle. There are some toddlers who have no problem making the switch, but then some may have a harder time. When making the transition, buy the bed and let the toddler look at it. Tell your toddler how good having a new bed is.
You can make the process better by letting your child pick out the bed and the bedsheets. This can help them sleep easier at night.
Don’t force anything. If your child doesn’t want to sleep in there, let your child adjust to the new bed naturally. Maybe your child can learn how to nap on the bed and get used to it.
As long as they aren’t too big for the crib, the transition can take a little bit if you so choose. This can mean a less fussy toddler and a toddler who can sleep much easier at night.
Conclusion On Baby Climbed Out Of The Crib
If your baby keeps climbing out no matter what you do, then it’s time to get a new bed. Buying something new means that your toddler is growing, and that’s a good thing.
FAQs
What age do babies climb out of the crib?
Babies aged 18-24 months old are strong enough to climb out of their crib. Still, not all babies are too curious about the outside world to try that.
What do you do when baby climbs out of crib?
It is natural for older babies to want to get out of bed on their own, even if it means that they have to climb over the crib’s rails. Because of that, you should at least keep the crib far from cords and free of blankets or pillows that can suffocate or make your baby trip.
How do I transition my baby from crib to bed?
The best time to start the transition from crib to bed is when your baby starts trying to climb out of the crib. But even so, you should put them in a convertible toddler bed to ease them into it.
How long does a baby sleep in a crib?
A crib is typically useful up until the baby reaches 18 months. Once they become 2 or 3 years old, they may no longer need the crib.
At what age should I convert the crib to toddler bed?
You can start the conversion as early as 18 months, considering your baby shows signs that that’s what they want. Otherwise, you need to wait before replacing the crib with a toddler bed.
How do I stop my 2-year-old from climbing out of his crib?
The first thing you can do is to ensure that you are not showing big emotions as you see your toddler climb out of their crib. Getting huge reactions make babies want to repeat the same action in hopes of seeing you react like that again.
You should also remove pillows, plush toys, or any object that your child can use as a step once they are awake. This way, it will be challenging for them to climb out of the crib.
How do I get my baby to sleep in her crib without crying it out?
A lot of parents succeed at getting their babies to sleep peacefully in their crib by creating a specific bedtime schedule and sticking to it. For instance, you can bathe your child, feed them, and turn on white noise at the same time every night.
How long do you let a baby cry in the crib?
Some moms and dads are told to let the baby “cry it out” in the crib to help hone their self-soothing skills. Try doing it in 5-minute intervals for a few times to see how it may affect your child.
Baby Climbed Out Of The Crib Other Resources
TodaysParent: https://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/toddler-behaviour/is-your-toddler-climbing-out-of-his-crib/
HealthLine: https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/toddler-climbing-out-of-crib
VeryWellFamily: https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-to-do-when-your-toddler-climbs-out-of-the-crib-290342
Last Updated on June 24, 2022 by Jejomar Contawe
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