Should your two-year-old move to a toddler bed? Why it’s better to wait

Macall Gordon, M.A.
6 days ago
4 min read

If you're considering moving your energetic 2-year-old from a crib to a toddler bed because you think they'll sleep better, I need to share something important with you: this transition might actually make things harder, not easier. (Safety caveat: If your toddler is actively climbing out of the crib, then this is a safety issue, and you have to move to a toddler bed, of course.)

The reality of moving to a toddler bed too early

Shifting children younger than three to a toddler bed is opening up a whole new set of potential difficulties. While you may be solving one problem (like hating the crib), you are opening the door to other, even more difficult ones.

The main challenge? Keeping them in the bed and in their room. It's close to impossible, and here's why.

Why two-year-olds struggle with toddler beds

At two years old, children can cognitively understand the rule "I'm supposed to stay in bed." The problem is they don't have the capacity to USE that information to direct their body. This ability doesn't come online until around three years.

Think about it this way: your toddler knows what they should do, but their impulse control and self-regulation skills aren't developed enough to follow through. It's not defiance; it's just how two-year-olds roll.

What this means for your sleep (and theirs)

For potentially another year, they may know they’re supposed to stay in their bed, but be completely unable to keep themselves there. So, you are on the hook to walk your child back to bed many, many times a night.

Plus, you'll face additional challenges:

How do you keep them from roaming the house once you go to bed?
How do you keep them in their room? Close the door? Lock the door? (Spoiler alert: toddlers hate that)
How do you keep them safe in their room? (Stuff that can get pulled over, climbed on, slammed shut)
How do you keep them from getting up to just play with toys?

See? It's a lot. And this is why a toddler in a bed usually translates to an adult sleeping in their room full-time.

Alternatives to a toddler bed transition

Before you make the switch to a toddler bed, try these strategies to keep your two-year-old manageably in their crib:

1. Lower the crib mattress to the floor

Drop that crib mattress all the way down. If your crib allows it, you can lower the mattress to floor level, making it much harder for your little escape artist to climb out.

2. Try special climbing-prevention pajamas

If lowering the mattress isn't possible, there are pajamas (like those from littlegrounders.com) with a band sewn between the legs to block their ability to raise their leg and climb.

3. Try a crib tent

These were off the market for a while, but they’re back. Find a safe tent that will keep them from climbing.

The bottom line on toddler beds before age three.

Hold off on a toddler bed or floor bed as long as you can.

While the move to a toddler bed might solve a short-term problem (like climbing out), it can cause a few bigger ones that will stick around for a while, namely, disrupted sleep for everyone, nighttime wandering, safety concerns, bedtime battles, and/or a parent becoming the child’s new roommate.

Signs your child is ready for a toddler bed

Wait for these signs before making the transition:

They're consistently climbing out of the crib (and the prevention methods above haven't worked)
They're expressing interest in a "big kid bed"
They're at least 2.5-3 years old
They can follow simple rules and adhere to boundaries consistently
They're sleeping well and able to fall asleep independently (mostly)

My advice: Keep them in the crib

I know it can be tempting to try a toddler bed when your two-year-old seems ready or when sleep becomes challenging. But trust me on this: the crib is your friend right now. Those four walls are doing important work keeping your little one safe and (hopefully) sleeping.

Give it time. Keep them in the crib as long as safely possible. Your future self, and your sleep, will thank you.

Feeling stuck? Let's figure out your situation together

Every family's sleep situation is unique, and sometimes you need more than general advice. If you're dealing with crib climbing, early wake-ups, bedtime battles, or you're just not sure what your next steps should be, I'd love to help you figure it out.

I offer a 60-minute Sleep Triage Consult where we'll dig into what's happening with your little one's sleep, look at all the moving parts, and figure out a plan that actually works for your family. No judgment, no one-size-fits-all solutions, just practical guidance tailored to your child and your goals. (There’s also a 30-minute version if you just need a quick look-see or check-in.)

[Learn more about the sleep triage consult here]

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Read Why Won’t You Sleep?! by Macall Gordon, M.A. and Kim West, MSW — available in print and now on Audible.

About Macall Gordon

Macall Gordon, M.A., has a master's degree in applied psychology from Antioch University in Seattle with a research-based specialization in infant mental health, sleep advice, and parenting culture.