Let’s talk about the crib-to-bed transition … times two (though if you have a singleton baby, there is still plenty of advice for you, too, so do keep reading!). 

I’m not going to lie: even though my husband and I had successfully transitioned our oldest child to a “big kid bed” from a crib, I was quite nervous when it came to transitioning our twins. What if they kept each other awake? What if they both keep getting up and asking for things? And with busy work schedules and diminishing patience come the end of the day, we needed to find tips and tricks that weren’t only effective, but allowed us to be kind but firm. 

Thankfully, I had SlumberPod’s trusted network of pediatric sleep consultants – and their sea of sage advice and experience – to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Here’s what worked for us: 

1. Taking Cara Babies Tip: Remember that Timing is Everything

One of our most frequent questions is, “When is the right time to make the switch?” Research shows children are typically ready between 2.5 and 3 years old. Pediatric sleep consultant Cara Dumaplin, from Taking Cara Babies, explains in her Ultimate Guide to Toddler Bed Transition blog: “Before 2 ½ years old, most little ones simply do not have the developmental capacity to understand the statement: ‘You need to stay in bed.’" It’s tempting to rush the transition, but waiting longer makes it easier. More advice from Cara on when and how to make the switch – and how to buy more time if your young toddler child is climbing out of the crib – is available here.

Our twins didn’t start climbing out of their cribs until almost age 3, so we made the change then — but prepared well in advance. (With twins, consider their individual readiness. It’s often better to wait until both are ready.)

2. Little Zs Sleep Tip: Create a Consistent Routine – and Environment 

Consistency is especially crucial during a transition like this. Becca Campbell of Little Zs Sleep emphasizes the importance of maintaining a predictable bedtime routine. (Check out Becca’s bedtime routine blog and downloadable chart here.)

Keeping most of our nighttime routine the same helped our twins feel secure. Our routine included a consistent bedtime, bath, reading, singing, and a few minutes of snuggling. We also used brown noise and blackout curtains to keep the room environment similar.

All that said, it’s important to remember some nights will go smoothly, while others may bring unexpected challenges. Staying consistent is important, but if something isn’t working, it’s okay to make small adjustments. 

3. Sleep Wise Consulting Tip: Make the Beds Exciting and Personal 

Introducing a big kid bed can be a fun experience for your toddlers. Katie Pitts from Sleep Wise Consulting suggests involving your kid(s) by letting them pick out new bedding or a special new stuffed animal or lovey to sleep with. This creates excitement around the change and helps them feel more in control. 

We chose (low) bunk beds and purchased them months in advance. Our kids helped pick out sheets, coverlets, and pillowcases. We regularly talked about their “big girl bed” waiting for them in the basement, how it was for big kids, and what we expected from them. Thankfully, they easily agreed on who would take the top and bottom bunks.

Katie shares more creative ideas for making the transition enjoyable here.

4. Kelly Murray Sleep Tip: Ensure the Room is Safe 

Make sure the room is safe; if your child(ren) will have free range of the room, you’ll want to remove anything that could be dangerous, or that will be tempting to play with while sleeping should be happening. 

When it comes to a safety check, Kelly Murray of pediatric sleep consultancy, Kelly Murray Sleep, shares reminders that furniture needs to be anchored to the wall if isn’t already (this is very important for having young children in the home – whether they are in cribs or out of cribs), the room needs to be checked for choking hazards and children should be sleeping in their own beds. Read more from Kelly’s crib-to-bed transition guide here.

If the bed doesn’t have a safety railing, consider a bumper. We also kept using a video monitor to keep an ear out for mischief—like the time they spread clothes from their dresser all over the floor instead of napping!

5. Tiny Transitions Tip: Set Clear Boundaries

Setting clear boundaries from the start is essential to getting kids to fall asleep in their bed and then stay in bed. To minimize sleep disruptions, Courtney Zentz, from Tiny Transitions, advises setting clear expectations about staying in bed until morning. 

This advice from Courtney’s blog is golden: “Make sure you clearly outline the new rules and responsibilities of sleeping in a bed and enforce them if your child starts testing boundaries. Stay consistent and any testing of the waters will pass. If your child comes out of their bed [...] calmly and quietly return the child to bed. Remember getting angry or talking to them is still giving them attention, which is what they want. Children at this age will come up with all sorts of tactics (they want one more hug, they are hungry or thirsty or cold). Make sure you deal with any of these issues at bedtime [...] so you feel comfortable not addressing them when they come out of bed.”

Also, we found it very helpful to set up an “OK to Wake” toddler clock that lit up green in the morning when it was an acceptable time to get out of bed. For the first few weeks after transitioning, we heard little footsteps in our bedroom and needed to ask our twins: “Is your clock green?” and if it wasn’t, then send them back to their room – but thankfully they got the hang of it quickly. If that doesn’t work, a simple sticker chart to reward them for staying in bed all night can be helpful. 

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In summary, transitioning twins (or any kid!) from a crib to a big kid bed can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the advice of trusted pediatric sleep consultants and creating a positive, consistent sleep environment, you’ll set your kiddos (and yourself!) up for success in their new beds.

Here at SlumberPod, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For more expert advice and resources, be sure to explore the full range of tips from our partners. Here’s to more nighty-nights!