What to Do When Your Toddler Climbs Out of the Crib

You hear a thump.

Then little footsteps.

And suddenly the toddler you tucked safely into their crib is standing in the hallway looking very proud of themselves.

If this just happened at your house, you’re not alone—and your toddler isn’t misbehaving. Climbing out of the crib can be a sign that your child has reached a new stage of mobility and independence.  It can also mean it’s time to reconsider whether the crib is still the safest place for them to sleep.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ parent resource, HealthyChildren.org, recommends moving a child to another bed when they can climb out of the crib, when they reach 35 inches tall, or when the crib rail is less than about three-quarters of their height.

So if you’ve found yourself searching “my toddler climbed out of the crib—now what?”, this guide is for you.  We’ll walk through what to do tonight, how to know whether your toddler is ready for a bed, how to prepare their bedroom, and how to make the transition to their first big-kid bed as smooth as possible.

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First: Don’t Panic

Watching your toddler attempt a crib escape can be unsettling.  But climbing is a normal part of developing gross motor skills. Your child has discovered something exciting:
They can control where their body goes.

Unfortunately, the crib that once kept them safely contained may now give an adventurous toddler something to climb. Once a child can climb over the rail, there is a risk of falling from the crib. The AAP notes that attempts to climb out are a common source of falls from cribs. 

That’s why the solution generally isn’t figuring out how to make the crib harder to escape.
It’s deciding whether your child has outgrown it.

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7 Signs It May Be Time to Transition Out of the Crib

Every child develops differently, so there isn’t one birthday when every toddler should move into a bed. Instead, look at development and behavior.

1.  Your toddler can climb out of the crib

This is the biggest sign.  If they’ve successfully climbed out once, don’t assume it was a one-time event.  They now know they can do it.

2. They’re actively trying to climb over the rail

You don’t necessarily need to wait for a successful escape.  If you’re repeatedly seeing a leg thrown over the rail or your toddler pulling themselves high enough to attempt an exit, it’s worth reassessing the sleep setup.

3. They’ve reached the crib manufacturer’s height limit

Check the instructions for your specific crib.  HealthyChildren.org advises transitioning when a child reaches approximately 35 inches tall or the side rail is below roughly chest level. 

4. They’re asking for a big-kid bed

Some toddlers make the decision surprisingly easy.  If your child is fascinated by beds, asks to sleep in one, or wants a room like an older sibling’s, you may have a naturally enthusiastic candidate for the transition.

5. Your child is becoming more independent

Toddlers often reach a stage where they want to do everything themselves: “I do it!”  A low bed they can independently enter and exit can complement this developmental stage.

6. The crib has become a bedtime battle

Resistance alone doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new bed.  But combined with climbing and increased independence, it may be another sign that the crib stage is coming to an end.

7. A new baby needs the crib

This is an extremely common reason families begin thinking about the transition.  If you’re expecting another baby, give your toddler plenty of time to adjust before the new baby takes over their old crib when possible.  That helps frame the move as:  “You get a big-kid bed!” rather than:  “The baby is taking your bed.”  Parents frequently raise exactly this question when planning for baby #2.

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What Should You Do If Your Toddler Climbs Out Tonight?

If you’ve just experienced the first crib escape, start with the immediate environment.

Lower the crib mattress if you haven’t already

If your crib mattress isn’t already in its lowest manufacturer-approved position, check the crib instructions and adjust it accordingly.  But if your child can already climb out with the mattress fully lowered, simply lowering it isn’t a long-term solution.

Don’t add objects intended to stop climbing

Avoid improvising with bumpers, cushions, pillows or other items.  Crib bumpers can create safety hazards and can actually give an older baby or toddler something to step on while climbing. HealthyChildren.org specifically warns against bumper pads. 

Follow the instructions supplied with your crib rather than modifying it.

Start planning the transition

If your toddler has demonstrated that they can climb out, it’s reasonable to begin preparing for another sleep setup.  HealthyChildren.org specifically identifies crib climbing as a point when transitioning to a big-kid bed may be appropriate.

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What Kind of Bed Comes After a Crib?

Parents generally have several choices.

Traditional toddler bed

A toddler bed typically uses the same mattress as a standard crib. Under the federal toddler-bed standard, a toddler bed is designed around a full-size crib mattress and is intended for a child at least 15 months old and no more than 50 pounds.  The advantage is familiarity.  The disadvantage?  Your child may outgrow it relatively quickly.

Twin bed

Going directly to a twin bed can eliminate another furniture transition.  For families planning long term, this can make a lot of sense. The important consideration is choosing a setup appropriate for your child’s developmental stage.

Low or Montessori-style floor bed

This has become another popular crib-transition option.  Rather than requiring a toddler to climb into a conventional-height bed, a Montessori-inspired bed keeps the sleeping surface low and allows the child to get in and out more independently.

That’s one reason many parents find the concept appealing: the environment changes to accommodate the child’s growing independence.

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Why We Like a Low Bed for the Crib-to-Bed Transition

Think about the change from your toddler’s perspective.

Yesterday:
Four crib walls surrounded them.

Today:
They’re suddenly expected to sleep in an open adult-style bed.

That’s a big change.  A thoughtfully designed low bed can provide a middle ground.
Your child gets the freedom to enter and exit independently while the sleeping surface remains much closer to the floor. And a bed with appropriately designed guard rails can maintain some of the cozy, defined feeling they’re accustomed to.

That thinking is behind our Luca Montessori Floor Bed with Rails⁠.  Rather than designing Luca as furniture a child quickly outgrows, we designed it around the transition itself: a low sleeping space, surrounding rails, an accessible opening and the ability to evolve as your child grows.

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Before the Big-Kid Bed: Toddler-Proof the Entire Bedroom

This is arguably the most important part of the transition.  Once your child isn’t contained by a crib, you have to change the way you think about their room. Previously, the crib was the controlled sleep environment.

Now:  The bedroom becomes the environment your child can access independently.  Get down to toddler height and look around.

Anchor furniture

Dressers, bookcases and other furniture that could tip should be properly secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Secure cords

Look for:
Blind cords
Curtain cords
Lamp cords
Monitor cords
Charging cables
Keep them inaccessible.

Cover accessible electrical outlets

Use appropriate childproofing products where necessary.

Secure windows

Make sure your child can’t independently open or climb through a window.  Also look for furniture they could use as a step to reach one.

Remove climbing opportunities

A toddler sees the room differently than you do.  That cute little chair beside the dresser?  It might look like step one of a climbing adventure.

Remove choking hazards

Remember that your toddler may now be able to wander around their room when you’re asleep. Look carefully for small objects and other hazards.

Secure doors and other areas as appropriate. Consider what happens if your child gets out of bed at 2 a.m. Your childproofing strategy should account for access to stairs, bathrooms and other potentially hazardous areas of the home.

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How to Make the Crib-to-Bed Transition Easier

Changing the furniture is actually the easy part.  Changing the routine can be harder. Here’s what helps.

1.  Talk about the new bed before it arrives. 

Build excitement.  Try:  “You’re getting your very own big-kid bed.”  Instead of:  “You’re too big for your crib.”  The first feels like gaining something. The second can feel like losing something familiar.

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2. Let your toddler explore the bed during the day

Don’t make bedtime their first interaction with it.  Read books there.  Sit together.  Let them climb in and out.  Make the space familiar before you expect them to sleep there for ten hours.

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3. Keep everything else boringly familiar

Same pajamas.  Same bath.  Same books.  Same song.  Same sound machine.  Same goodnight.  Only the bed needs to change.  The AAP similarly recommends keeping your established bedtime routine after moving to a big-kid bed. 

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4. Expect them to get out

They just received something incredibly exciting:

Freedom.  Of course they’re going to test it.  When your toddler gets out of bed, avoid turning it into a game.  Calmly guide them back.  Keep your response predictable and uneventful.  HealthyChildren.org recommends quietly returning children to bed and positively acknowledging them when they stay there. 

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5. Give the transition time

Your child may sleep beautifully on night one.  Or they may spend night one testing every square inch of their newly accessible bedroom.  Neither necessarily predicts how they’ll sleep a week later.  Consistency matters more than perfection.

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What If My Toddler Sleeps on the Floor?

This surprises many parents.  You create a beautiful new bedroom.  Buy the perfect mattress.  Carefully make the bed.  And your toddler curls up on the rug.  Toddlers sometimes experiment with where they sleep when first given more freedom.  If the room has been appropriately childproofed and you have concerns about your child’s sleep behavior, discuss them with your pediatrician rather than turning bedtime into a battle over exactly where their body must be.

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What About Pillows, Blankets and Stuffed Animals?

This is an area where age matters enormously.

For babies, the AAP recommends a firm, flat sleep surface without pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, crib bumpers or other soft items in the sleep space.

Don’t assume that moving a young child to a floor-level bed automatically makes infant sleep practices irrelevant.  If your child is very young or you’re unsure what bedding is appropriate, talk with your pediatrician and follow current AAP safe-sleep guidance.

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How to Choose a Toddler Floor Bed

If you’ve decided a low bed is right for your family, don’t choose based on Pinterest photos alone.  Look closely at the construction.

Consider:
Height
How high is the sleeping surface from the floor?

Guard rails
How are they designed, attached and spaced?

Openings
Look for potential entrapment hazards. Federal toddler-bed requirements specifically address guardrails, openings, mattress supports, end structures and other potential hazards. 

Materials
What is the frame actually made from?

Finish
Look for information about paints, stains and finishes.

Mattress fit
Follow the manufacturer’s mattress-size and thickness requirements.

Testing and certification
Look beyond vague phrases such as “non-toxic” or “safe.”  Independent certifications and testing give parents more useful information.

Longevity
Ask yourself: Will my child still use this bed in three years?  A low-priced toddler bed that lasts 18 months isn’t necessarily less expensive than a higher-quality bed that evolves with your child.

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Meet Luca: A First Big-Kid Bed Designed to Grow With Them

We designed the Luca Montessori Floor Bed with Rails around exactly this stage of childhood.

The goal was simple:  Give toddlers independence while giving parents greater confidence in the transition.  Luca features a low-profile design with surrounding rails and an entry opening that allows a child to get in and out independently.

It’s constructed from solid pine and is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning it has been tested to stringent standards for low chemical emissions.

And unlike a traditional toddler bed that may quickly become too small, Luca is available in larger mattress sizes and is designed with removable rails and optional conversion possibilities as your child’s needs change.

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The Crib Escape Isn’t the End of Something

It can feel that way.  One minute you’re assembling a crib for a tiny baby. Then seemingly overnight, that baby has one leg hooked over the rail and plans of their own.  But this stage isn’t just about leaving the crib.  It’s about gaining independence.

Your toddler is learning:  I can get into my own bed.  I can choose a book.  I know my bedtime routine.  This is my room.

The goal isn’t simply to replace the crib. It’s to create a sleeping environment that works for the child they’re becoming. And sometimes a crib escape is simply their way of telling you:  I’m ready for the next step.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my toddler keeps climbing out of the crib?

If your toddler can climb out, reassess whether the crib is still appropriate rather than trying to make escape physically impossible. HealthyChildren.org recommends moving to another bed once a child can climb out, reaches approximately 35 inches tall, or the crib rail is below about three-quarters of their height. 

What age should a toddler move out of a crib?

There isn’t one age that applies to every child. Development, crib limits and climbing behavior matter. A toddler who can climb out may need to transition even if you hadn’t planned to make the move yet. 

Is 18 months too early for a toddler bed?

A product specifically regulated as a toddler bed is intended for children at least 15 months old and weighing no more than 50 pounds, according to the CPSC definition. That doesn’t mean every 15- or 18-month-old is developmentally ready for every type of bed, so consider your child’s development, the product instructions and your pediatrician’s guidance. 

Should I use a toddler bed or go straight to a twin?

Both can work. A toddler bed lets you continue using a crib-size mattress, while a twin can provide substantially more room to grow. Families who don’t want to purchase another bed a few years later may prefer moving directly to an appropriately designed low twin bed.

Are floor beds good for toddlers?

A low bed can give a mobile toddler independent access to their sleeping space. The key is choosing an age-appropriate product and making the entire accessible bedroom safe—not simply placing a mattress closer to the floor.

How do I stop my toddler from getting out of their new bed?

Expect some boundary testing. Maintain the same bedtime routine and calmly return your child to bed without creating a lengthy interaction. Consistency is generally more useful than turning getting out of bed into a struggle.