I think that’s the message your toddler will send – a method or another – when he’s able to wave goodbye to the crib and say hello to a big-kid bed. Your child might actually verbalize discomfort, moreover simply want to climb out of the crib.
So What’s needs to be done?
First, resist the temptation to maneuver him too early. Most experts recommend doing so around age 3. Unless your child is climbing out of his crib or needs more room than a crib can provide – his body is growing at an astounding rate – it’s better to keep him in the crib, which allows him to feel safe.
This way, your child can feel comfortable taking giant developmental leaps during the day but still regress to the safety of his old crib in the dark.
Moreover, until age 3, toddlers are very impulsive, and your child’s difficulty in understanding and having the ability to follow directions or rules (like staying in bed all night) will make sleeping in a bed a real challenge. If you transition to a bed before age 3, you’ll plan on awakening to a touch visitor next to your bed just about nightly.
When the time comes, however, you would like to assist your child transition smoothly to sleeping during a bed.
For that, you need to follow certain steps. These are:
1. Create a secure environment:
Safety proof your child’s room and all adjacent areas he might visit during the night. Secure or maybe closed windows, tops of stairs, and you know it better. Even better, you’ll install a security gate at your child’s door. You can even install a little night-light in his room to assist him to orient himself and avoid hurting himself.
2. Pick the new mattress for the baby:
Go to the nearby mattress store – and let your child help you choose the mattress or bed. With keeping safety in mind, all you would like maybe a twin-size mattress and bedspring and a few safety rails for the side. This new bed and mattress will got to sit low on the ground a few times until your child gets to it. Get some fun new sheets, some special pillowcases and you’re set to go.
3. Transfer the crib (together):
Once the new bed comes home, ask your child to help you to take down the crib. This way, your child will feel a part of the transition process and can even be ready to say good-bye to the crib.
4. Set up the new bed and the mattress:
Put the bed in one of the corners of your kid’s room so that the head and at least one side of the bed are protected with the wall. Add a security rail can be fitted to the exposed side of the bed. Your child will feel safe this way even as he was safe in his crib.
5. Explain the bedtime rules:
Discuss the bedtime rules with your child. Tell your child that sleep is really important and we should sleep till the sunlight enters your room.
6. Do your bedtime routine:
Since your child is new to his bed, you should take an extra 10 minutes to spend first few nights and read some stories to make him comfortable in his new bed and environment. Slowly and gradually you child will be comfortable and feel safe in this new environment.
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We all want healthy kids. But what can we do to help them stay healthy?
Do You know an average child gets sick 10 times a year? That number is simply too high and there is no reason why it should be that high. Once or twice a year colds or other viruses are understandable, but 10 times a year? Think of all the missed school for them and missed work for you and the fun family times that have to be rescheduled or canceled completely. There are some simple things we can do as parents to turn sick kids into healthy kids.
The First Step – Healthy Diet
Kids need lots of good nutrition. Foods that are full of sugar, fat, starch, and are highly processed are not nutritious. Good nutrition starts at home. There are many simple little changes you can make immediately to get the entire family eating healthier. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains need to be provided daily. It may seem easier and cheaper to buy the frozen, packaged, and processed versions, but it’s really not. You will find that buying healthy is actually cheaper than buying junk. Look up some healthy recipes, make a shopping list, and go to the store thinking healthy. Stay away from potato chips, soda, and candy. Instead buy whole-grain crackers, pretzels, and fresh fruits. We all crave salty and sweet treats, so use these healthy substitutes instead. Kids eat what is available to them; it is your job to make sure they have healthy choices.
The Second Step – Focus on the Environment
The next step to a healthy kid is to focus on the environment around our children. Harmful hazards can be found all over the home. The first thing you need to do is go clean out your cabinets. Any cleaning products that are not safe need to go. Many cleaning products contain harmful chemicals. If your children have asthma or allergies they are especially susceptible to the irritating upper respiratory effects of toxic chemicals. I use only safe, non-toxic cleaning products in my home and would have it no other way. You don’t have to buy the expensive “all-natural” products, but buy from a brand you can trust. There are many safer products available, but not all are created equal. Look for products that are super-concentrated; they will give you the best bang for your buck and also help protect the environment.
Finally – Adequate Exercise
Finally, healthy kids need adequate exercise. If they are home with you, get them up off the couch and moving with you. There are plenty of easy, kid-friendly exercise videos and equipments available to choose from or you can make up your own routine. My kids and I like to take walks, and go to the park. If the weather is bad, move the activity indoors. Jumping-jacks, jump rope, yoga for kids, and other fun activities can be done indoors at home. Or you can enroll them in karate, gymnastics, dance class, or after school sports activities. Be creative! The possibilities are endless. It doesn’t matter what activity you choose, as long as the kids are active and having fun. The key to getting kids to exercise is to make it fun. Switch up the routine and don’t be too pushy about exercising at home. The best way to get your kids active is to lead by example. If they see you making an effort to stay fit, chances are they will join in.
