Seeing your toddler climbing out of the crib is both impressive and yet terrifying. As parents, ensuring our children are safe is one of our top priorities, even during sleep. While crib climbing is a sign of increasing independence and physical development, there is a risk of your child becoming injured.

Some parents move their toddler to a bed at the first signs of climbing out of the crib. However, moving a toddler to a bed too soon often results in bedtime struggles, frequent nighttime awakenings, early morning risings, and naptime challenges.

I suggest keeping your child in their crib until they’re nearing the age of 3. Children younger than this often struggle to stay in bed when they can easily get out on their own.

Here are some strategies for what to do when your child climbs out of the crib and ways to stop crib climbing altogether.

How to Prevent Climbing out of the Crib

Remove Climbable Objects

Keep your child’s crib free of anything they could use as a step to help them climb out. This includes toys, blankets, pillows, bumper pads, etc.

Safety Tip: For infants aged 0-12 months, there should be nothing in the crib aside from a firm mattress and a fitted sheet. For toddlers aged 12-18 months, you may introduce one blanket and one comfort item. Once your child reaches 18 months or older, a pillow may be added to the crib. These are general guidelines, but always prioritize safety and assess each item before placing it in your child’s crib.

Lower the Mattress Height

Make sure the mattress is at the lowest setting possible in your child’s crib. You can also consider removing the bottom of the crib and placing the mattress directly on the floor within the crib.*

*Do not attempt this if: i) there is a space between the mattress and the bottom of the crib where your child could get stuck, ii) your crib instructions warn against it, iii) you feel it is unsafe.

Turn the Crib Around

If your crib is taller at the back and shorter at the front, turn it around so that the taller side is at the front and the shorter side is against a wall.

Use a Sleep Sack or Anti-Crib-Climbing Pajamas

The goal here is to restrict your child’s leg movements so that they are unable to lift their leg over the crib railing. You can find special pajamas here, or make your own by sewing a piece of fabric in between the legs of your child’s pajamas. (Make sure to avoid using pajamas with grips on the feet.)

If your toddler is super determined and takes their sleep sack or pajamas off, put them on backward, inside out, or both! This should
prevent them from reaching the zipper.

What To Do If Your Toddler is
Still Climbing out of the Crib

If you have tried all of these tips and your child is still climbing out of the crib dangerously, move them to a bed to prevent them from getting injured.

If you have tried all of these tips and your child is still climbing out of the crib, but they’re doing so skillfully, here’s what you can do:

Childproof the Room & House

Consider childproofing to keep your child safe in the event they climb out of their crib and start wandering around. This may include removing everything from their room except for essential furniture, securing that furniture to the walls, installing outlet covers, putting baby gates near any stairs or unsafe rooms, and ensuring doors leading to outside your home are locked.

Stay Calm

Consider If your child gets a big reaction from you every time they climb out of their crib, it may encourage them to continue climbing out. Many toddlers love attention, even when it’s negative attention. So, do your best to stay calm.

Step 1: Return to Crib + Re-State Boundaries

As you calmly return your child to their crib, remind them that they need to stay in the crib until morning. It may help to use a sleep training clock so that they understand it’s morning when the clock glows a certain colour.

Step 2: Return to Crib + Don’t Engage

If, after 3-4 times of returning them to the crib while re-stating the boundaries and they continue to climb out, try returning them to the crib without saying anything. Be as boring as possible. If their antics aren’t getting any extra attention, they may decide it’s just not worth it anymore.

Step 3: Return to Crib + Use a Consequence

If, after 3-4 times of returning them to the crib without any other engagement and they still continue to climb out, you may need to use a consequence. Decide on an appropriate consequence ahead of time. The next time your child climbs out of their crib, return them to the crib and calmly tell them what will happen if they climb out again. Of course, if they climb out again, you must follow through on the consequence.

While dealing with a crib-climbing toddler can be challenging, by taking some proactive steps and having a consistent strategy, you can help keep your child safe while encouraging healthy sleep habits. Keep in mind that every child is unique, so be patient in finding what works best for your family.

Struggling with your crib climber and need more support?

Moved your toddler to a bed due to dangerous crib climbing, and not sure how to get them to stay in bed?

Schedule a free call to learn how I can support your family’s return to peaceful nights.