There's no set time when you have to replace your child's crib with a regular or toddler bed. It's best to wait until your child is closer to 3, since many little ones just aren't ready to make the transition. Of course, you'll need to move your toddler to a bed when he's simply too big or too active to sleep in a crib anymore. And once he's potty-trained, he'll need to be able to get out of bed to use the toilet. 

Why do parents make the switch? 

• Because they're worried that their active toddler might climb or jump out of his crib. When your toddler first climbs out of the crib, buy yourself some time by lowering the crib mattress as far as possible, so the side rails are relatively higher and more difficult to climb over. Consider installing a crib tent.

• The approaching arrival of another baby. If this is the case, make the switch at least six to eight weeks before you're due. Depending on your toddler's age, you could also consider delaying the switch until the new baby is 3 or 4 months old. Your newborn will probably spend those months sleeping in a bassinet anyway. Be sure to base the timing of the switch on your child's readiness rather than on the need to free up the crib.

What to do to ease the transition?

• Put your toddler's new bed in the same place his crib used to be. Your child may find it soothing to continue to sleep with his old crib blanket.

• Put up a guardrail to prevent your toddler from falling out of bed.

• Get your toddler excited about having a "big-kid bed" by taking him with you to pick it out. Let your toddler shop with you for new sheets featuring his favorite characters, and encourage him to show his "big-kid bed" to visiting friends and family.

• If you find that you've made the switch too soon and your toddler is upset, don't give up right away. Encourage your child to try out the bed. If he's still distressed after a few days, bring the crib back.

• Some toddlers simply aren't ready for a bed. It takes a certain amount of cognitive development for your child to understand that a bed has imaginary boundaries that he must stay within. If you find that your child all of a sudden takes a long time to fall asleep at night, gets out of bed many times or wanders around the house, he's probably not ready for his own bed. It's worth then taking a step back and bringing back the crib — and trying again later. Just be sure you don't present the reappearance of the crib as a punishment.