It may sound like an easy thing to do when you make the decision to move your toddler from the crib into a child bed, but it is actually a very traumatic experience for your baby. His crib is a special part of him, and he feels comfort in there among the smell of everything that screams baby, and the small size that fits him well by the time he is about a year or so old.

Do not be surprised is your baby is not receptive to sleeping in a new bed. For the little one, anything that is unfamiliar is difficult for him to accept. It will take your baby time to accept this new bed, mostly because he needs to develop a sense of comfort and know that it is his. As everyone probably knows, babies are not always very receptive to sharing what is theirs, especially things as personal as a bed and some special toys, so before he will feel comfortable in a new bed, he has to be sure it s his and his alone.

The easiest way to transition your baby to a new bed is to choose something that you know he likes. Take him with you and let him see what is on display and choose his own bed. No matter how young your child is, any toddler over the age of one knows what he likes in a picture and will be drawn to that. It may be Spiderman for boys or Care Bears for the girls, but they will be attracted to something. Follow your child s lead as long as it is practical and financially possible. Do not insist on Mickey Mouse because that is what you liked as a child if your child is leading you in another direction. Be open and understanding to your child s needs as you move him from the comfort of his crib into the more open space of a toddler bed.