How do you stop your toddler climbing out of the cot and scaring the living daylights out of you?
After the age of 1, you’ll start to notice that your peaceful little baby has transitioned into a curious and energetic toddler. Antics like climbing on the table, moving funiture, slamming doors and jumping on the couch become all too common.
And then one fine day, it happens.
Your toddler gives you the scare of your life by showing up beside your bed at 2 am, grinning away at their escape from the crib.
As a parent, you feel shocked that your little one has learnt how to climb out of the cot. You also feel scared because crib escapes can be dangerous and result in serious head injury.
So now you’re stuck in a place where your child is climbing out of the crib nightly. But it’s too early to transition your child to a toddler bed.
It’s time to unlock the tried and tested techniques that will keep your toddler securely tucked in their crib, granting you a peaceful, uninterrupted slumber.
In this post, I’ll delve into the reasons behind crib escapes, explore the importance of choosing the right crib and mattress, discuss how to create a secure sleep environment, reveal effective bedtime routines and uncover proven strategies to discourage escapes.
I hope these techniques help you bid farewell to nightly crib escapes and welcome the bliss of a restful night’s sleep for both yourself and your toddler.
This post is about how to stop your toddler climbing out of the cot
10 Brilliant Tips to Stop Your Toddler from Escaping the Crib
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1. Understand the reasons behind crib escapes
Understanding the reasons behind crib escapes is essential for effectively addressing the issue and ensuring a restful night’s sleep for both you and your toddler.
There can be several factors contributing to your little one’s Houdini-like acts, ranging from physical discomfort to developmental milestones.
Common Reasons for Crib Escapes
- One common reason toddlers escape their cribs is discomfort. A mattress that’s too firm or too soft can cause discomfort, making it difficult for your child to fall asleep or stay asleep. Likewise, an ill-fitting crib with sharp edges or loose parts can instigate your toddler’s escape attempts. Assessing your crib and mattress for any signs of wear and tear or discomfort can go a long way in keeping your toddler snug and secure.
- Another factor to consider is your toddler’s curiosity and desire for independence. As they grow and explore the world around them, they may see escaping the crib as an exciting adventure. This curiosity can be heightened if they witness their older siblings or peers transitioning to a bed. Understanding this desire for independence can help you develop strategies to address it effectively.
- Additionally, developmental milestones can play a role in crib escapes. As toddlers become more mobile and agile, they may seize any opportunity to test their newfound skills, including climbing out of their cribs. Recognizing the developmental milestones your child is experiencing can help you anticipate their desire to explore and ensure their environment is safe and accommodating.
- Lastly, it is important to acknowledge that some toddlers may simply have a strong inclination towards movement and activity. These little ones may find it difficult to settle down and stay in one place, leading to their attempts at crib escapes. Identifying and addressing their need for physical activity can help minimize their desire to escape the crib.
Toddlers are curious creatures. They’re also naturally adventurous and willing to take risks. And they don’t yet understand boundaries of physical safety.
littlesleepsolutions.com
By understanding the reasons behind crib escapes, you can tailor your approach to effectively address the issue.
2. Use a Sleep Sack
A hack that many moms swear by is using a sleep sack (also called a wearable blanket). This helps keep your toddler nice and snug and can be an effective way stop your toddler climbing out of the cot.
That’s because getting out of the crib requires your child to put one leg over the crib side and then the other. And being in a sleep sack limits that chance.
Got a toddler unzipping the sleep sack? You can try preventing this by putting the sleep sack on backwards (so the zip is at the back).
RELATED POST: Toddler Unzipping the Sleep Sack? 7 Genius Tactics To Try
These are some best-selling sleep sacks on Amazon that parents swear by:
Burt’s Bees Baby Unisex-Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket, 100% Organic Cotton
HALO Sleepsack Plush Dot Velboa Wearable Blanket
TILLYOU Sleep Sack – Cotton Wearable Blanket Baby 2-Pack Set
3. Choose the right crib and mattress
Choosing the right crib and mattress for your toddler can play an effective way to stop your toddler climbing out of the cot
When it comes to selecting a crib, opt for one that is sturdy and well-constructed. Look for cribs with strong, secure bars or slats that are spaced appropriately to prevent your toddler from getting their head stuck or slipping through.
Additionally, make sure the crib has a reliable locking mechanism that is not easily manipulated by your little escape artist.
In terms of mattresses, consider investing in a firm and comfortable option. A firm mattress provides the necessary support for your toddler’s growing body and reduces the likelihood of them attempting to climb out. Additionally, ensure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib, leaving no gaps where your toddler can get their legs or arms stuck.
Look for mattresses made from hypoallergenic materials to promote a healthy sleep environment and minimize any potential allergens that could disrupt your toddler’s rest.
This Organic 2 in 1 mattress by Naturepedic is made from the safest ingredients on earth. It has raving reviews from parents and has won the Good Housekeeping 2022 Parents Award.
That’s because it’s one of the only mattresses out there that’s breathable, organic PLUS WATERPROOF (this will make your life so much easier when potty training!!!)
You can check out more Naturepedic products here and see for yourself why it’s a go to brand for every parent looking for safer sleep solutions.
4. Turn the Crib Around
This is a very simple solution and can easily work to stop your toddler climbing out of the cot.
Most cribs come with one taller side and one shorter side. By simply moving the taller side in front and keeping the shorter side against the wall you can make it difficult for your toddler to climb out of the crib.
5. Move the Crib Mattress to the Lowest Setting
Lowering the mattress to its lowest setting can make it more challenging for your toddler to climb out, as they will have less leverage.
However, be mindful of adjusting the mattress height as your child grows and gains more mobility to ensure their safety.
6. Shift to a Pack n Play
Many parents with crib escapers choose to shift to a pack n play. Most pack n plays have soft mesh on the sides and the depth for the lowest setting on a pack n play makes it very difficult for a toddler to climb out of.
7. Create a secure sleep environment
By creating a secure sleep environment for your toddler, you can minimize the chances of them escaping from the crib.
One way to do this is by removing any unnecessary items from the crib that might serve as a stepping stool. Large stuffed animals, pillows, or blankets should be kept out of the crib as they could potentially aid your little Houdini in their escape attempts.
Also, it’s important to toddlerproof the rest of your child’s room too.
Make sure there is no furniture near the crib such as a nightstand table which they can use to climb out of the crib. Also, make sure that the rest of the furniture in the room is securely anchored to the wall.
You can do this using sturdy furniture straps like these to anchor furniture pieces to the wall and prevent them from tipping over and causing serious harm.
8. Implement an effective bedtime routine
To ensure that your toddler remains safe and snug in their crib throughout the night, it’s crucial to establish a consistent and effective bedtime routine. By implementing a routine that your child can rely on, you not only create a sense of security and comfort, but also reinforce healthy sleep habits, minimizing the chances of crib escapes.
Start by establishing a set bedtime, allowing for ample hours of sleep based on your child’s age. Consistency is key, so try to stick to this schedule as closely as possible, even on weekends. A structured routine helps signal to your little one that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
RELATED POSTS:
5 Astonishingly Calming Bedtime Activities for Toddlers
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10 Practical Hacks to Handle Toddler Bedtime Stalling
Incorporate activities that promote relaxation and tranquility before bedtime. Reading a favorite storybook, engaging in calming activities like puzzles or drawing, or even taking a warm bath can be soothing rituals that ease your toddler into a calm state.
Create a peaceful sleep environment by dimming the lights and minimizing distractions in your child’s room. Consider using a white noise machine to drown out any background noise that may disrupt sleep.
Limit stimulating activities before bedtime, such as screen time or energetic play. These can interfere with the natural process of winding down and falling asleep.
Instead, encourage quiet bedtime activities that are conducive to relaxation.
As your toddler grows, involve them in the bedtime routine. Allowing them to choose their pajamas or a stuffed animal to sleep with can give them a sense of control and ownership over their bedtime routine.
This involvement will also foster a positive association with going to bed, reducing the likelihood of crib escape attempts.
Struggling to Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine?
The most effective way to establish a good bedtime routine for little kids is to use a bedtime routine chart.
These have been absolutely life saving for me in getting my little one excited for bedtime and ready to complete all her pre-bedtime tasks.
You can check out the Sweetnsour Bedtime Routine Charts here. Super adorable and featuring two cute designs, your child is gonna absolutely love these!
9. Don’t Overreact to Their Escapes
A lot of times, toddlers do certain things that they KNOW will annoy us. The more of a reaction we give them, the more encouraged they feel to keep doing it again and again.
So try to keep your expression and tone neutral when calmly explaining that it’s not good to climb out of the brib.
10. Fulfil Desire to Climb
One of the reasons your toddler is climbing out of the crib is because kids have an innate desire to climb, hop, jump and play.
So try to engage your toddler in activities in which they can fulfil this desire.
Here are some ideas you can try:
- Provide soft pillows to stack up and climb on
- Get safe climbing toys like a mini trampoline or an indoor/outdoor mini slide
- Enroll them in a gym class
- Set up a small area in the house just for climbing. Put a soft rug there and then add safe props like cardboard boxes/soft cushions which they can climb on
Looking for more ideas?
Here is a detailed post I wrote on amazing toys for toddlers who like to climb
Conclusion
Keeping your toddler from escaping the crib is not an insurmountable challenge. By understanding the underlying reasons for their attempts, selecting the right crib and mattress, creating a secure sleep environment, establishing effective bedtime routines, employing proven strategies to discourage crib escapes and encouraging independence, you can finally enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep for both you and your little one.
Don’t wait any longer – try implementing these techniques today and bid farewell to those nightly escapades!
This post was about how to stop your toddler climbing out of the cot
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