We are moving in a few months and we are making plans for our new home.  Our two-year-old son Scotty sleeps in a crib.  Would this be a good time to move him into a bed?  If not, when should we make the switch?

 Even if you were not moving, I'd suggest caution in moving a two-year-old from his crib into a bed unless he has been trying to climb over the railing.  Some young children are delighted to begin sleeping in a big bed but most are attached to their cribs.  Toddler sleep can be tricky, because your child is changing in so many ways. The big problem with moving a two-year-old from a crib to a bed is a child who has been content to go to sleep without a fuss and then sleep through the night may start resisting.  It's easier for a child to stay in a bed with "walls" that keep him contained.  Some two-year-olds, given freedom, will begin to get up out of a bed and wander around the house or into their parents' room at night, disrupting everyone’s sleep. This is a problem in a familiar setting, but can be even more of a problem after a move. 

Moving to a new home is stressful parents and children.  Even if you are staying in the same town, your routines may change and it takes time to adjust to even minor changes in your home environment. You will probably find that your family does better if you make the rate of change as slow as you can, which means that if you are moving Scotty into a new house and a new bedroom, allowing him to stay in the same crib for now would be a good idea. 

Think about installing a child's gate in Scotty’s bedroom doorway when you first move in so that he'll get used to having a boundary. After you have settled into your new home for a few months, you can revisit getting Scotty a regular bed.   With a gate in the doorway you can keep him safe during the night when he is no longer in his crib.  Wait until you feel sure that your new bedtime routines are consistent and working well for your family.    

Before you purchase a bed, consider the following:

• Take Scotty with you to look at beds so that you can see his reaction.  If he seems enthusiastic, it may be a good time to make a change.  If you find that you're  the one who is most enthusiastic, wait a while longer.

•  While you're shopping (looking), take note of your Scotty’s preferences, but don't give him the idea that he is going to choose the bed he gets.  Furniture purchases are too costly to leave to a child's judgment!  You can, however, let him choose sheets or comforter--as long as you are willing to accept a choice that doesn't match your decorating plans.

•  A child doesn't need a "youth bed" . Just get portable side rail for a regular bed. (Here's a toddler sleep consultant tip: You don't even need the rail if you fold a blanket into a tight roll and put it under the mattress on the side away from the wall.  The gentle slope will keep your child from rolling out onto the floor.)

• Choose a bed design that will make it easy for your child to "make" his own bed without too much tucking around the mattress.

•  The new bed doesn't even have to be a regular bed.  Some children love to sleep on a mattress on the floor, with  a comforter or sleeping bag for warmth.  The mattress can be used in a regular bed frame later when your child is past the stage of rolling out of bed.

•  Even if you are expecting a second child, there is no rush to move your older child out of his crib.  A new baby can sleep in a small bassinet or portable crib for several months (most new babies like small spaces best, anyway) giving you time to help your older child make the transition.

•  If Scotty wants to stay in his crib until he's three, there's no reason to make a change.  After that time, however, it's a good idea to encourage a child to leave the "baby" sleeping place behind and move on to a bed.

 Good luck with your next steps!

Meg Zweiback