How to Keep Children in Their Cribs

When a young toddler sleeps in a crib, her parent has peace of mind and can rest easy knowing that the child is safe. That peace disappears once the child moves to a regular bed, because he is able to get in and out by himself, which means he could get injured or break something. Keeping a child in a crib for as long as possible is the best choice for many parents who want the assurance that their child is safe and sound all night long.

Things You'll Need

  • Board books
  • Stuffed animals
  • Sippy cups
  • Baby blanket

Instructions

    • 1

      Make the crib toddler-safe. Lower the mattress to its lowest possible setting and remove the bumper. This will prevent a baby from climbing out of the crib---many kids use the bumper as a step stool to boost them over the side. Take out the mobile as well, so your child does not try to climb on it to get out of the crib. Older babies and children tend to jump around in the crib and can cause damage. Inspect the crib at least once a month for lose nuts and bolts, bent support bars under the mattress, and chipped wood.

    • 2

      Create a happy environment in the crib. A child who has everything he needs in his crib is less likely to attempt to climb out. The American Association of Pediatrics advises against sending a child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup because of the risks of tooth decay. You can, however, safely put your child in the crib with plain water if he often calls for a drink in the night. In addition, give your child several books, a small blanket and any other comfort items.

    • 3

      Rearrange the child's bedroom. Be sure that the child is unable to reach any other pieces of furniture. Also make sure that all window coverings and wall decor are out of reach. Anything the child can grab could be used to help her pull herself out of the crib. Once you are sure the child is safe within the crib, make the room as boring as possible. Move all the toys and other interesting items to another room. A child will be less motivated to climb over the side of the crib if she does not see anything worthwhile in the room.

    • 4

      Teach your older toddler to call for you when he wakes up. Make sure you have a baby monitor on or keep the doors open so that you can hear him. If your toddler knows that you will come get him out of his crib as soon as he wakes in the morning, he will know he does not need to climb out of the crib. His faith in mommy's or daddy's reliability will keep him satisfied in his crib.

    • 5

      Resist the temptation to purchase a crib tent. It may seem like the perfect solution because your child will be unable to get out of the crib, but there are other factors to consider. A child who is determined to get out of the crib and is unable to so, due to this tent, will become frustrated. She will likely scream for you anytime she wakes, even in the middle of the night. If the child really dislikes the tent, bedtime could become a source of fear and frustration for the child and then you will have a bigger problem on your hands. Also, if your child has a cup or other hard object in the crib and tries to throw it, as toddlers often do, it may bounce off the tent and hit him.

    • 6

      Move your child out of the crib into a real bed the first time he climbs over the side. Your child is no longer safe in the crib at that point. The risk of injury from climbing out of his crib is much higher than his risk of being hurt in a properly toddler-proofed room.

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