Few things are as comforting as the image of a baby fast asleep in a crib. But as any parent can attest, it doesn't take long for the crib to start looking a little on the small side for a growing toddler. But how do you know when it's time for your little one to transition to a big kid bed? At 5 Little Monkeys, our mission is to help families everywhere navigate the challenges of parenting and support the healthy, restful sleep that kids need to grow and develop, so here are our tips on transitioning from a crib or toddler bed to a twin bed.

Making the Switch to a Kids Mattress

First things first: when is the right time for a child to transition to a big kid bed? While there's no hard and fast rule, most children will need to move on from the crib sometime between the ages of 18 and 30 months. The best indicator is when your child starts trying to climb out of the crib with any possibility of success, although even if they don't try an escape act, you should make the switch if your child's mid-chest is even with the rail of the crib while standing up. Is a toddler bed even necessary? The answer is NO! Most parents are under the assumption that a toddler bed is a necessary step between the crib and their first big kid bed. This is not true at all! In fact, it is perfectly acceptable and quite safe to move straight from the crib to a child mattress. In fact, it will save you money!! There is no evidence that a “toddler bed” offers any benefits that a twin, full or queen mattress does not. The way we see it, parents shouldn’t waste their money on an odd size mattress that their child will use for the very maximum of two years! We recommend investing in one mattress that will last a childhood. The most important decision in this matter is to purchase a quality mattress, designed specifically for the needs of kids and growing bodies at every stage.

However you choose to transition your child from a crib to a bigger bed, this change may come with some difficulty. Make sure to talk with your child about how they're feeling about the move, and don't forget to install bed rails and other safety devices to ensure a safe sleeping environment as your child makes the switch. If you find your child regularly leaving their bed to sleep in yours during the night, that's ok – simply walk them back to their own bed, tuck them in, and head back to your bed.

Try Our Well-Reviewed Kids Mattress

In addition to all of this, it's critical that your little one is switching to a mattress that gives them the support their body needs for healthy sleep, and thankfully, we can help with that. At 5 Little Monkeys, we've built one of the best kids mattress offerings on the market, and if you don't believe us, just check out our 5 Little Monkeys reviews to see what parents and kids are saying. Ready to see the difference that healthy, restful sleep can make in your child's life? Don't wait: try our kids mattress today!