toddler sleep Archives - BABY SLEEP PROS

What Baby Sleep Training Is—And Isn’t

Let’s start by addressing one of the biggest misconceptions: sleep training does not mean abandoning your baby to cry for hours, on end. In fact, it’s the opposite of ignoring their needs. Sleep training is about guiding your baby towards better sleep while honoring their unique needs and developmental stage. It’s a process rooted in love, empathy, and responsiveness.

At its core, sleep training is about b a l a n c e. It’s about ensuring that your baby’s emotional and physical needs are met while creating a calm, predictable routines that promotes healthy sleep habits for the entire family. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a rigid or one-size-fits-all approach. Each family is different, and so are their sleep goals.

Why It Matters

Sleep is vital for your baby’s growth and development. Quality sleep supports brain development, strengthens the immune system, and regulates emotions. But sleep is not just important for babies—it’s essential for parents too. A well-rested caregiver is better equipped to meet the challenges of parenting with patience, energy, and clarity.

For many families, the lack of sleep creates stress and imbalance. Night after night of interrupted sleep can affect mood, health, and relationships. Sleep training offers a way to bring back equilibrium by creating routines that help everyone—including parents—get the rest they need.

An Empathetic Approach to Sleep Training

At Baby Sleep Pros, I understand that every family’s journey is unique. That’s why my approach to sleep training prioritizes empathy & connection. Here’s what sets me apart:

✨ Responsive, Not Rigid: I honor your baby’s needs and emotions at every step. Sleep training doesn’t mean ignoring cries—it means responding thoughtfully and appropriately to help your baby feel secure.

✨ Tailored Solutions: Babies are individuals, and what works for one won’t necessarily work for another. I create personalized plans based on your baby’s temperament, age, and family dynamic.

✨ Support for Parents: I know that parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. That’s why I am here to guide you, cheer you on, and answer your questions every step of the way. I create a partnership with parents to make sure they know we are a team, and they will never walk the road to sleep alone.

Reach out to Baby Sleep Pros today to learn more about our compassionate and personalized approach to sleep training. You may also book a free assessment call via this link: https://babysleeppros.com/free-sleep-training-consultation-washingtondc/ .

Trust me – there is plenty of light, and sleep!, at the end of this tunnel!

WHEN TO TRANSITION?

I have noticed that parents frequently wonder whether there is certain age by which their little ones should transition to a toddler bed. Some parents rush in and bring a bed at 18 months, some wait it out until their child is 3.5-4 years old. Which side is right?

Technically, neither.

I mean, no one really wrote a rule on a chalkboard “THIS IS THE AGE…”. What I would recommend is to wait until your child is at least 30 months (2.5yo) because it is then when their cognitive ability to make logical connections develops and so does their self-control.

Otherwise, you may be dealing with lots of escapes. I will share soon tips on how to delay the transition (because maybe your child is an escape artist and is trying to climb out of the crib before that age).

My advice then is: if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it 😉 I.e. if your child is happily sleeping in their crib, and obviously if there are no safety concerns, no reason to transition just yet.

Let’s look at some signs of readiness for the crib-to-toddler bed transition:

I always encourage parents to base their decision regarding transition on their child readiness rather than need to free up the crib because new sibling is arriving. I really think it is better to rent or borrow a crib, pack&play than deal with a child who cannot comprehend the idea of staying in bed nor have self-control to do so.

“What if my child hasn’t reached the age but is trying escaping their crib?” Well, it can also be the case and I urge you to try to some of these things before deciding toddler bed is the next step:

– safety: bring the crib mattress to lowest point to make climbing more difficult. (DO NOT remove the bottom of the crib – it will affect its safety standards),

– if the crib has one short side and one tall, turn the crib around,

– you may use a sleep sack to prevent climbing.

PREPARING FOR CRIB TO TODDLER BED TRANSITION

Let’s look at safety aspects:

So we’ve got all basics covered! Let’s move onto tactics to facilitate crib to toddler bed transition.

1. Setup: put toddler’s bed in the same place as their crib. Let them keep their crib blanket with them (even if it is too small).

2. Help your child pick up the bed and sheets (favorite character, show etc.)

3. If the bed is a hand-me-down, draw a parallel to whom previously had it

4. “Talk up” the bed to family and friends (when they visit or over the phone to create sense of gravity and promotion around it 🙂

5. Use the crib transition as a signal of “status change”, e.g. “Wow, now you have a bed like mommy and daddy!”

6. Go all out and throw a BIG KID BED party.

7. If child is nervous, use a toddler bed instead of twin bed.

8. If a new baby is the reason for transition, have your toddler sleep in the toddler bed at least for two months before the baby gets the crib – you may suggest to your older one giving away the crib as a gift to the baby.

Resistance is normal! Especially when it coincides with new baby, potty training, pre-school. It may take time before your toddler understands that even without the crib railing the “barrier” is still there.

Transition happened too early if a toddler is very upset, they get out of bed many times and suddenly, it takes them longer to fall asleep at night, and subsequent nights. Additionally, if a child gets out of bed and wanders around the room, doesn’t understand the concept of staying in bed, or safety is a concern – the transition happened too early.

STRATEGIES FOR AFTER TRANSITION: staying in bed.

– I suggest lights off, doors closed – not to be cruel but #1. fire safety: closed doors is case of fire can be a difference of life and death, and #2. I minimized a possibility of child getting out of bed.

– If your concern is feeling of abandonment, you may leave the door slightly open with a dim light in the HALLWAY. Small lights in your child’s room they are not used to can create unnecessary shadows and their imagination might take of from there.

– To prevent child from leaving, use a child-proof door know or put up a gate in the door (only for a protesting child and an escape artist).

– If the child is really anxious, you may stay with them for the first few nights (no engaging).

– If you need to return your child to bed, it should be done in a matter-of-fact type of way. Don’t engage, just pick them up, bring back, use the key phrase, kiss, good night and leave. Do it at intervals so it doesn’t turn into a game.

That would be all for now! I think I covered all key points over here 🙂 Look out for my sleep coaching packages should you need support of a professional with sleep troubles – I cannot wait to help your entire family sleep! And please, share this post with other parents who might need it.

To the balance your family deserves ✨

Tag: toddler sleep

The Truth About Baby Sleep Training