You asked us: Is my toddler ready...
...to transition from crib to bed
...to cut out naps during the day
...to sleep with a doll
...to sleep with a pillow
Expert: Umberto Cellupica is a paediatrician with a community practice
in Maple, Ont. He is also a staff paediatrician at York Central Hospital in
Richmond Hill.
Toddlers usually make the move from crib to bed around their second birthday.
If your little one is trying to climb out of her crib, it may make sense to
make the change earlier, Cellupica says. Use crib rails to reduce the risk of
your tot falling out of the bed. “And before you start the transition,
have a strategy in mind for how you are going to deal with your toddler climbing
out of bed in the middle of the night!” (Back
to top)
If your toddler is resisting your attempts to put him down for a nap, he might
not need one,” says Cellupica. Most toddlers cut out at least one nap
around the year-and-a-half mark. “This might require some trial and error.
If you cut out the nap and he becomes very irritable or hyperactive, it might
be a sign that he still requires at least a short nap or rest period.”
(Back to top)
Wondering if your tot is old enough to sleep with her favourite dolly? "It's
important for your toddler to feel safe and secure when learning to sleep alone.
Using a special doll or teddy bear to help soothe her is a good strategy to
encourage independent sleep," says Cellupica. As long as there are no parts
that can easily be ripped off and swallowed, Cellupica says you can introduce
her to a special toy anytime after her first birthday. (Back
to top)
If your child is still in a crib he probably doesn't sleep with a pillow. That
might change when you transition him into his big-boy bed, around age two. At
that time, Cellupica says you can introduce a flat pillow if your child wants
one. (Back to top)
*Please note that the information provided should be used a guideline.
If you’re concerned about a something specific always consult your family
doctor or paediatrician.