Why We Kept Our Toddler in a Crib as Long as Possible (and Why It’s the Best Advice I Ever Got)

When it comes to toddler sleep and safety, one piece of advice changed everything for me: keep your baby or toddler in the crib set up for as long as possible. I first heard this from my lactation consultant, and it made so much sense—but of course, there are times when switching to a toddler bed is necessary.

For us, that moment came just a month before our little guy’s second birthday. He had started attempting to climb out of his crib, and it became a genuine safety concern. While we wanted to delay the transition as long as possible, safety had to come first.

The switch itself was a big change. Suddenly, our toddler could walk around freely—an exciting milestone, but also a whole new level of stress. It’s amazing to watch him explore and assert independence, but it also means we’ve had to be extra careful with furniture. Every dresser and bookshelf is now secured to the wall, and safety gates are in place.

It’s been four months since he left the crib setup, and overall, it’s going well. The independence he’s gaining is wonderful, but the stressors—like him running to the door and crying when he wants attention—are very real.

Keeping your child in a crib setup as long as safely possible allows them to develop confidence in a contained space, gives you peace of mind, and can make the transition to walking-around toddlerhood smoother when it’s actually time.

If there’s one piece of parenting advice I’d pass along, it’s this: maximize the crib stage while staying mindful of safety. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference for both sleep and stress levels.