What to Do When My Baby or Toddler Climbs Out of the Crib

There’s comfort in knowing your baby is safe in their crib. You can set your little one down in their bed while you use the bathroom—alone—and have peace of mind that they aren’t getting into anything. Even waking up to them crying out for you in the middle of the night and knowing exactly where you’ll find them builds a sense of security.

Until they start trying to climb out of the crib. If you’ve seen them hike a leg up over the crib rail, or maybe your toddler has already made it to the floor and ran into your room at night, then the crib might start to feel like less of a safe space.

Here’s everything you need to know about what to do when your baby or toddler climbs out of the crib.

One of the great things about young children is that they are natural explorers. They’re curious and want to use what they’ve learned to figure out new things, like how pulling up and standing at the side of the crib is a great time to practice their climbing skills.

Nighttime separation anxiety, sleep regression, or being ready to drop a naptime can all affect your child’s sleeping habits and be the answer to why they’re climbing out of their crib when they’re supposed to be asleep.

The taller your toddler grows, and the more milestones your baby hits, the more they realize how capable they are of getting themselves from point A to point B. Climbing out—or attempting to climb out—of the crib is a natural part of your baby or toddler’s development.

The trick to managing your little one’s new skill is keeping their sleep environment safe by making changes to their crib or transitioning to a new bed.

Nurture& offers cribs that can convert to a toddler bed and twin-size bed options for when it’s time to make that move.

Babies and toddlers grow and develop at different rates along a wide spectrum of “normal”, and factoring in the different personalities of each child, it’s hard to mark one definitive age that your baby will start climbing out of the crib.

Some babies will try climbing as soon as they master the art of pulling up to stand, around 9-12 months old. Another child may not be interested in escaping from their crib until they’re seeking more independence at two years old. It’s important to track your little one’s unique development and capabilities—especially between 1-2 years old—to ensure their crib is safe for them.

Not all hope is lost the first time your child climbs out of their crib. There are immediate steps you can take to prolong the use of the crib while making sure your baby is safe. These recommendations can help you proactively keep your little one from climbing out of their crib.

Families sometimes prefer to switch directly to a big kid's bed from a crib. This is generally an easier process with a preschooler than a one-year-old. Keep in mind that a big-kid twin bed is usually higher off the ground than a toddler bed and requires separate safety rails.

Nurture& offers a customizable option with The Kids Bed. This twin-size bed is toddler-proofed with rounded edges and stain-resistant fabric. It has multiple color combinations and add-ons, like matching safety rails and trundle storage, for a big kid bed that fits your wants and needs.

Whether your child’s next sleep space is a toddler bed or a twin bed, they’ve now gained access to parts of their room—and possibly the whole house—that weren’t as easy to get to before.

A baby gate or doorknob safety cover may be appropriate if your child isn’t potty training yet and you worry they might wander around the house in the middle of the night. Since it’s clear your toddler likes to climb, now would be the time to anchor the dresser and other heavy furniture to the wall if you haven’t done so already.

You can do this! We know keeping your baby or toddler safe is your top priority and these tips will help prepare you for when your little one learns to climb out of their crib.

Nurture&’s convertible cribs are modern, safe, and made to grow with your baby. Are you ready to move your “big kid” to a twin bed? We’ve got that covered, too. Shop The Kids Bed and more in our online store where our premium furniture is made for parents, by parents. You can also visit the blog for additional ideas on creating your spaces.