For years, I’ve been teaching about what to do if your child climbs out of his crib, but I had never experienced it with my own children until a few weeks ago! Out of nowhere, Holly (2y7m) began climbing out of her crib. Sometimes she’d fall asleep on the floor, while other times she’d get out to grab something, and then climb back INto the crib. It became a real problem when she started climbing out every single time (naps and nights), and getting less sleep because of it. She was getting so overtired and cranky!
If you have a little one who also climbs out of his crib, or if you want some ideas to tuck away for the future in case that day ever comes, this list is for you.
Use a Sleep Sack
This one comes first because it is my NUMBER ONE recommendation! Sleep sacks can really help deter crib climbing because Baby simply can’t maneuver his body well enough to climb out of the crib.
I kept Ada in a sleep sack all the way until we switched her to a big girl bed (at 3.5y), which is a huge contributor to why she never attempted to climb out of her crib. I gave up the sleep sack with Holly a few months ago because the bottom of the sack got completely torn apart and I didn’t have another one. I foolishly thought I might be past the time when she would attempt crib climbing, plus it was coming up on warmer weather, so I just stopped using the sack. With Holly’s latest crib-climbing shenanigans, it was getting her BACK into a sleep sack that cut off the climbing habit.
Unfortuantely, some kiddos can still climb out even with a sleep sack on! But sleep sacks are a great option for most kids. Try to get one that isn’t too big/loose. Another option with similar benefits are the Little Grounders pajamas.
Lower the Crib Mattress
If the mattress is not yet set to the lowest setting, this is definitely a good place to start. If the mattress is set to the lowest setting, you can consider lowering the mattress all the way to the floor. (Note that doing so is not approved in safety testing — crib manufacturers will only test the safety of a securely set up crib.)
A few things to look out for if you choose to do this:
1. No vertical space between the mattress and the bottom of the crib. We don’t want Baby sticking his arms out that gap, or even attempting to shove his head through it. That would be dangerous, indeed!
2. Also look at the horizontal space around the mattress. If there are big gaps, we may still have to worry about arms and heads being stuck out.
3. Hulk kiddos may even attempt to bench press their way out of this situation!
All that to say — there are definitely safety risks to be aware of, and this is not the solution for every family. For Holly, we did opt to lower the mattress to the floor. But even with the mattress lowered, she could still climb out, which is why we brought back the sleep sack.
Turn the Crib Around
If you have a crib that has a clear “front” and “back” because one side is taller, turning the crib around may be enough to keep your child from climbing. Scoot the crib into a corner, and now 3 sides are effectively closed off, which ups your chances of keeping Baby in the crib!
Why Not Just Ditch the Crib?
Until they’re about 3 years old, toddlers simply don’t understand sleep rules like “stay in your bed!” Which means if they’re given the freedom to freely roam their room (or even the house!) because they’re no longer contained in their crib, they absolutely will use that freedom! And it will cost them AND you precious sleep. Getting rid of the crib too early usually just results in less sleep for everyone. Wait til age 3 (or later!) and make sure to prep before making the transition!
If you feel really strongly about giving up the crib early, make sure to crib the room.
If you’re struggling with sleep because your little one has learned to climb out of his crib, I’d love to help you get back on track for good sleep! Set up a free discovery call to chat about how I can help your family get the sleep you’re all dreaming of.