5 Things To Help You Sleep Soundly Even When Your Toddler Wants To Climb Out Of The Crib
Many parents are quick to transition their toddlers from crib to bed the minute their little one either attempts or succeeds in climbing out of the crib. Once your toddler is in a bed, this means more freedom for them and more bedtime battles for you. How to get good sleep if you or your toddler are not ready for a bed? Try these 5 tips to stop your toddler from climbing out of the crib.
Safety First
Climbing out of the crib can be very dangerous so it’s important not to ignore the situation. They could hurt themselves on the way down, especially if their room isn’t carpeted. Try putting some pillows on the floor next to the crib just in case. It’s also important to make sure their room is baby-proofed in the event that they do escape their crib. If you leave their door open or your child can open the door themselves, you have many other safety issues including stairs and access to the rest of the house. If your toddler is climbing out of the crib, you need to take action right away.
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Lower the mattress
Make sure that the crib mattress is on the lowest possible level. Your toddler will use every inch you give them to climb out of the crib, so make sure you aren’t giving them a ‘leg up!’
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Use a sleep sack
It’s very difficult to lift one leg over the side of the crib with both legs securely zipped inside a sleep sack. Put the sleep sack on backwards if your toddler is able to take it off. With the zipper at the back, it will be almost impossible for them to wiggle out of it.
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Rotate the crib
Some crib designs have a solid side, and others have a side that is higher than the other sides. To stop your toddler from climbing out of the crib using the bars, rotate the crib so that the higher side or the solid side is facing out.
Stop your toddler from climbing out of the crib by removing any toys, stuffed animals or bumper pads that your toddler can use as a launching pad. Your toddler can step on these things giving them that extra few inches to lift their leg over the rail and climb out of the crib.
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Catch them in the act
Set up a video monitor and watch just outside their door. As soon as you see them lift a foot, promptly go into the room and say “NO!” Your loud reaction will startle them, but it will also deter them from continuing to do it. You may have to do this multiple times, but if you are consistent with your response they will soon stop trying.
Want to learn more about sleep training?
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Jenn Kelner is a mother of three children, including twins, and a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant at BabyZzz. Just as every family is unique, Jenn supports many different sleep methods and works directly with families to design a solution that will help them become well-rested, happy families.
