It’s a big deal for a child to switch from his beloved crib to a bigger bed. No wonder toddler beds are designed to catch their fancy! Saying goodbye to the good old crib can trigger unpleasant bouts of caterwauling at bedtime.

How to Make the Transition Easy

The crib is the most comfortable spot in the house for baby - everything in it, including the lumpy blanket, which must not be washed - are his favorite things. Any change or a missing something spells disasters; can you imagine what it would be like to get rid of the crib and hustle your kid to one of those unimaginative toddler beds? This would instantly trigger a tsunami of protests.

Easy does not do it. Before you plop him on his new but bigger bed, there are things you must know - kids won’t budge if they have not been primed for the eventual change. Those cute toddler beds may be tantalizing to you, but for your child, it means sleeping away from mom and dad, and going without the familiar sight and smells of his beloved crib.

He may not sleep on the big bed the first night but sleep between mom and dad; the second night he may still struggle and opt to sleep on the floor; eventually he’ll decide the new big bed might be more comfortable.

Toddler Beds and Bedtime Routines

The first night he decides to take to the new bed, your problems aren’t solved yet. Expect those some mommy and daddy SOS during the night. As much as you’d want to rush to him, stay put but you may want to check if he has been wakened by a bad dream or he is not feeling well.

Part of transition period is establishing a bedtime routine. No matter how much you’re itching to watch CSI or 48 Hours, you have to stick to the set schedule. Bedtime routine starts with the bath after dinner, a glass of warm milk, and a bedtime story. He may want you to stay with him for some cuddling - but be firm when it’s time for him to sleep.

Make your child feel safe in his room. Although those toddler beds are adorable, your son will still want his lumpy blanket and stuffed toys. These familiar things can calm his anxieties. Never force a child to sleep on his new bed but be persistent with the bedtime routine.

Each night until he becomes accustomed to his new bed and the idea of sleeping in his own room, entertain him with bedtime stories on his new bed. Eventually, the big night will come when he’ll nod to sleep in the new big bed.

Keeping Your Child Safe in His Room

Toddler beds have been designed with the child’s safety in mind. But upon assembling the whole thing in your room, make sure all nuts and bolts are properly installed. Apart from the bed, check other children’s furniture; is the bookshelf stable? Are electrical outlets covered? Are small toys lying around? Children love to poke and put things into their mouths while exploring their rooms, so beware.

Install a night light in the child’s room to keep the “creeping monsters” away. The younger the child is the brighter the light he demands. Well, the night light can show him what a delight toddler beds can be.

By: Rony Pollock

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Potty Training

Many of the sleep problems of childhood are based on the fact that children’s sleep patterns are different from those of adults. Many parents would prefer that their children go to bed at 7 or 8pm and awaken shortly after the parents arise.

These wishes don’t correspond to the needs of all children. We feel that some sleep problems can be avoided by careful planning. Children get to sleep most easily when there is an established, predictable routine.

If children are wound up because of exercise or vigorous play, it will be difficult for them to go to bed. Ordering a child into bed such a time is futile. A good wind-down routine consists of a nighttime bath, tooth brushing and a story in bed

These activities calm children and provide a time for parents and children to enjoy each other. Younger infants may prefer to spend time in bed babbling and playing with toys. You can expect your toddler to spend some time talking or playing after you have left the room.

There is no need to interrupt this. Some children may begin whimpering after the parents leave the room. Common sense, as well as the age of the child, should dictate your response. It’s common for children to wake up between 5:00 and 6:00am.

Younger infants may prefer to spend time in bed babbling and playing with toys. Toddlers generally rush off to their parents’ rooms upon waking. Depending on the hour, some parents prefer to bring the toddler in bed with them so that they can get an extra hour of sleep

This approach is entirely a matter of parental choice. Sometimes 3 and 4 year olds go through periods of trying to sleep in their parents’ beds. Although there is no harm in permitting this activity occasionally, it’s not encouraged for parents to allow children to sleep with prolonged periods

Fear of the dark and nightmare are so common that we should probably not even consider them problems. The best approach to fear of the dark is to use a night lights. Nightmares occur commonly in children of preschool age.

Generally you could handle them with a few minutes of cuddling and reassurance. Rarely, children experience night terrors, which are quite distinct from nightmares. Night terrors occur in a different stage of sleep and the child is generally hysterical and can’t be comforted.

Persistent night terrors require medical help. A frequent cause of sleep disturbances is the user of medications. This is particularly true with antihistamines and decongestants, which can interfere with the child’s normal sleep patterns.

If your child is having trouble sleeping and is simultaneously taking a medication consult your doctor about the problem

By: Alvaro Castillo

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Teeth Whitening

Like most other manufacturers Bassett now makes convertible cribs. The company’s latest collection owes much of its design inspiration from older American country styles. For, those who love simple, Cottage, New England or Shaker styles, Bassett Convertible cribs will pull at the heart strings.

Harking back to traditional American furniture styles seems to sit well with this Virginia based company. Unlike many baby furniture manufacturers, the company still makes its cribs in the United States using only the finest hardwoods and craftsmanship.

Using traditional designs and good materials is one thing, but Bassett convertible cribs are also made using the latest technology. Not only does this help to make a Bassett affordable whilst still being of the highest quality, it also means that each piece of nursery furniture meets and exceeds industry standards. All its convertibles have Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification, which helps to ensure a baby sleeps safely and that parents can sleep safe in the knowledge that no harm will come their little one.

Bassett aren’t going to be to everyone’s liking. Surprisingly, the company has not come up with a broad range of designs. There are no European modern styles, like that found in Pali cribs. And, the designs, whilst being very traditional, lack the intricate and fancy detailing of manufacturers such as Munire Cribs. The company doesn’t really make cheap baby furniture either; instead, Bassett cribs occupy the mid-range price range.

Inevitably, many parents won’t be buying a Bassett crib, but for those who like or yearn for good-old-fashioned, simple American furniture they will appreciate the designs of many of the Bassett convertible cribs.

The names used in the various collections give an idea of what to expect. The Cottage Pine collection is based on American country designs. There’s a wainscot panel on the headboard. The legs are curved but simple which is reflected in the gentle curve of the back. The slats are also simple affairs. This is a 3-in-1 crib so it can be converted to a day bed - with this model there’s only a headboard; no footboard when made into a bed.

The New Haven crib by Bassett reminds one of Shaker furniture. The headboard has a simple wainscot and straight top. The legs are squared and straight but are thin and graceful. The rails of the top and bottom panels have a very gentle downward curve - when converted to day bed, this piece of furniture reminds one of a Shaker Settle. The New Haven crib comes in two finishes; Natural and Cherry - the Cherry is definitely the one to choose.

There are quite a few others in the collection, but let’s take a quick look at just one; The American Home. Unlike the two mentioned above, this is a 4-in-1 convertible crib by Bassett. This means that it will convert not only into toddler and day bed, but it can also be converted to a full size bed. This is my personal favorite of the convertible cribs collection. It reminds me very much of furniture you’d expect to find in a New England home. The Carolina Pine finish really shows off this piece well. Again, it is very simple with squared legs and simple slats. It looks beautiful no matter what its configuration, but the toddler bed is divine.

The above three are my favorite Bassett convertible cribs but there are others like the Timber Creek, Winsor, Mission and Wendy Bellissimo. Perhaps, when you take a closer look at the company has to offer, you’ll prefer one these. All of the baby cribs from Bassett echo the fine American tradition of making simple but beautifully elegant furniture.

By: Robin Cassidy

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SEO

Decorating your toddler’s room is a major stage in your child’s life. It is kind of the unofficial transition from babyhood to the toddler years. Just as you may have been unsure how to go about decorating your baby’s room, you may be unsure of how to proceed with preparing their toddler room for them. Here are some tips:

Choose a bed they will be comfortable with. If you have crib that converts to a toddler bed, you will be able to skip right over this step of the planning process. If you need to purchase a bed for your toddler, consider a few things:
You may want to choose a toddler bed rather than going right into a twin bed. Because toddler beds are smaller, they may feel more safe and secure in one. If you can, let them help you choose their bed. This will make the whole experience more exciting for them and they may be more willing to sleep in the bed right away. If your child moves around a lot too while they are sleeping, consider choosing a toddler bed with high sides or invest in some sturdy bedrails to use on the bed that you do choose.

Decide on a theme or décor for the room. If your child hasn’t outgrown the nursery’s theme or décor, it may not be necessary to change the room much. If you do want to redecorate, consider letting your child help you make some of the decorating decisions for their new room. This is another way to get them excited and motivated about having a “big kid” room.

Remember to child proof the room. Just as you had to baby proof the nursery, you need to child proof your toddler’s room:
Make sure cords from blinds and window treatments are secured up high to prevent choking hazards. Try to avoid putting furniture they may climb on in front of windows. Make sure windows are locked so the child can’t fall out if they do manage to climb up to it. Put outlet protectors on all unused electrical outlets. Avoid using floor lamps in the room since a toddler can easily knock one over. Put table lamps up high on dressers and use a light bulb that stays cool to the touch in it to prevent burns. Hide cords from lamps, air purifiers, and other electrical items behind furniture if possible. Also use a cord wrapper to secure excess cord. Get down on their level and look for any more potential hazards that may need to be addressed.

By taking safety and your toddler’s needs into consideration, you can create a safe and secure toddler room for them that they will enjoy sleeping and spending time playing in.

By: Rebecca Johnson

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Prenatal Vitamins

Many parents wonder when is the right time to move their toddler out of her crib and into a toddler bed. Like most things relating to small children, there is no specific age when this should happen. Every child is different and every parent faces unique situations in their homes. There are some signs that it is time to make the move, however.

When a child stops rolling all around her crib, chances are she is ready for a bigger bed. Another sign that indicates that your toddler is ready for a bed is when she starts climbing out of her crib. This can be very dangerous and you will find it much safer to put the little monkey into her own bed. Also, once the child is around three feet tall, the time is usually right for a toddler bed.

Many parents are surprised when they find that their little one is afraid or anxious about the transition. These parents assume that their child will be as excited about the milestone as they are and are disappointed at the fits and tantrums that ensue when the new bed is assembled.

Parents in this situation need to stop and think about how many hours of their child’s life have been spent in the safety of the crib. Most children spend the majority of their first year sleeping in their cribs. The child feels safe in her crib and thus moving to a new bed is scary.

One way to ease the transition is to set up the bed in the child’s room for a few days before making the move. This allows your toddler to get used to the sight of the new bed, and even try it out on her own a few times. As the bed becomes a familiar object, it becomes less scary.

Another way to ease your child into her new bed is to let her keep her crib bedding. This brings something familiar into the new situation. This is an easy thing to do, since many toddler beds use crib-sized mattresses. Just continue using the same sheet and blanket until your child feels comfortable.

One thing you should avoid is making the transition too quickly or during a time when you are facing a lot of stress. If, for example, you are expecting a new baby, take the time to make the transition well before the baby arrives. This will keep your toddler from feeling as if her new sibling has displaced her from her crib. A move would be another stressful time when you would not want to make the transition from a crib to a toddler bed.

Finally, keep the child’s bedtime routine in place when you introduce the new bed. This helps your child to feel secure even with the change. She will know that mommy and daddy are still there to care for her, even if the security of her crib is gone. Give her any extra attention that she seems to need during this time, and keep in mind that the stress she experiences is completely normal. With time, you can successfully transition her into a toddler bed!

By: Lily Morgan

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Games for Children

If baby doesn’t sleep too well at night, you may try repositioning his or her crib or bed to face his or her personal Sheng Qi location. You can make use of our free Gua Calculator to discover this auspicious location. The personal Sheng Qi happens to be the most auspicious location for each individual, so go ahead and let your precious little one enjoy good Feng Shui too.

Once you’ve identified your baby’s Sheng Qi, position the crib or bed to face this location.

Here’s another good pointer for crib or bed positioning in the bedroom - it should not be against a window or be directly in line with a door.

Play with colors to help your child enjoy peaceful, deep and stimulating sleep. As we know, babies and toddlers thrive on a good night’s sleep, hence calming Yin colors such as blues and greens will be perfect for the little one’s room. Bright yellows, reds and other Yang colors are not very auspicious for babies and toddlers, but will definitely suit older children better.

You may also use white-based colors for your baby’s room, but this is not a particularly auspicious Feng Shui color – how about playing with light beiges or off-white instead? For lighting, keep it neither too dark nor bright during the day – this will also comfort your child.

Keep your baby’s bedroom spotlessly clean! Moms and dads probably understand the importance of cleanliness and good hygiene in babies’ bedrooms, but in Feng Shui terms cleanliness is also conducive to good Qi (pronounced chee), or energy. You may even go a step further and place faceted crystals in the bedrooms to further help break up and disperse Shar Qi - this then allows positive Qi to enter and meander, giving your child a wonderful sense of well-being. Of course, crystals are not particularly baby- and child-friendly objects so remember to place these items on an elevated height!

Beware of poison arrows! These are harmful structures that actually send out ‘killing energy’ to occupants of the home, and it is said that babies and toddlers are more susceptible to the negative effects of poison arrows. If your child constantly falls ill or has a strange sickly disposition, I would seriously recommend you to examine the bedroom thoroughly, and take note of any structures that are pointy or sharp. Look out the window too, and see if there are any pointing structures outside of your home directed towards your child’s bedroom.

For interior poison arrows, you can easily remove the offending structure. If this is not possible, hang a baby mobile or pretty, tinkling wind chime between the poison arrow and your baby’s crib or child’s bed. This will ‘soften’ the blow, and keep baby safe. For poison arrows that are from the outside of your home, hang a Bagua above your child’s bedroom window outside the home for the best Shar Qi minimization.

Wallpapers or picture frames of nature scenes or animals are always a wonderful, uplifting idea for babies’ or toddlers’ rooms. But, do take heed of what you mount on these walls – for nature scenes, avoid overly Water element images such as lagoons, waterfalls and such since they can actually harm your child, making them prone to weak, ‘watery’ chests. For animal images, avoid overly Yang animals such as predatory cats, reptiles and dinosaurs – even if they’re cartoon-cute! These animal images might cause your child to be restless and fitful during sleep.

Shelves, cupboards and other storage structures above the baby’s crib or toddler’s bed is never a good idea. This may send off poison arrows towards your child, plus it is a safety hazard.

Let your child enjoy the benefits of the Maitreya! The Maitreya, or Laughing Buddha, is a strong symbol of benevolence, happiness and joy. Decorate your baby or toddler’s bedroom with just one Buddha figurine to keep him or her smiling and content.

Do you like these Tips? Dragon-Gate.com sends monthly Feng Shui Tips newsletters to its members. To read past Feng Shui Tips, click here.

By: Corey Tsang

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Injury Lawyers

Who doesn’t love cool gadgets that morph into dozens of tools with a twist of the wrist. Finding baby equipment that grows with your child is like hitting the jackpot – particularly when it involves big ticket items.

Purchasing a crib is one of the major decisions you’ll make when furnishing your child’s nursery. Size, style and color are important considerations, however another option is quickly moving up on the priority checklist – being able to convert from a crib into a larger bed.

You’ll generally use a crib for the first two to three years and then move on to a larger bed. Toddlers are still small enough to comfortably lie down in a crib, but many parents move to a bed so the child can easily get in and out – especially important if you have a child that is scaling the sides the of the crib.

Manufacturers today are making cribs with adjustable mattress heights, removable sides and add-on kits that let you easily change the crib into a toddler or day bed and even a full size bed. These models may cost slightly more but taking into consideration that the use of the crib has been extended from two to twenty years, the additional up-front cost may be worthwhile.

For more details on convertible cribs, visit your local baby store or a furniture showroom specializing in child’s furniture. Some of our favorite convertible cribs are by:

Da Vinci

The convertible cribs created by Da Vinci are some of the most beautiful cribs we have seen on the market, hands down. While some models, like the stunning sleigh bed, have sides that do not drop down, the upside is you have a beautiful piece of furniture that doesn’t look like it’s a crib masquerading as a bed.

Storkcraft

We’ve all been oohing and ahhing over the new 5 in 1 convertible by Storkcraft. Not only does it do all the normal crib to toddler to day bed to double bed transitions, but it can also be changed into a sofa! Just imagine sending your child off to college with a sofa that was once their crib! Now that getting your moneys worth!

Alta Baby

One of our moms raves about her 4 in 1 convertible bed (crib, youth bed, day bed, headboard/footboard for full size bed) and has reported that the conversion has been smooth each step of the way.

By: A Valle

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Part Time Income

When your baby starts to outgrow that baby nursery theme that you spent so much time and energy creating, it’s time to update the nursery and create a room that your toddler will love. Building a room around a theme will help your child enjoy their room. Personalize the room and let your child be involved in the design process. This is a perfect time to boost your child’s self esteem and urge them to feel like a big kid.

The first step is to get your toddler excited about the idea. Try transitioning to a toddler bed at this time. Let your child know that this is their special bed and start by letting them pick out their sheets and blankets. By this age, most kids will have a preference when it comes to cartoon characters, trains, airplanes, or other themes. Letting them make the decision about what direction to go will help them transition more smoothly and benefit developmentally from the experience. Once you have the bed design in place, move on to the walls.

New paint can be an exciting addition to a room. You may want to choose the paint yourself if you want it to last through future redecorating, but if you enjoy painting and don’t mind repainting every couple of years, go ahead and let the paint color be your child’s choice. Choose a border that matches the theme. If you don’t want the border to be glued to the wall, choose one that is self-adhesive. These can be easily removed later without damaging the paint. Putting the border at your child’s eye level instead of around the ceiling is a good option for a toddler room. There are also lots of stick-on decals available in many themes at hardware and retail marketer’s stores. These are very inexpensive and can add a lot of personality to a room. Posters are also an inexpensive option and can decorate a space very effectively.

New blinds and curtains can quickly add to the theme. Shelves can be easily hung and can display toys, pictures or other items that also help pull the theme of the room together. Besides the decorations, you want to consider organizing the room to meet your toddler’s growing needs as well. Get rid of those infant rattlers and space-robbing baby gyms. Update with more age appropriate toys and games. Make space for your toddler to work and draw or color.

Update their closet by moving the bar down to their level. Invest in some childrens clothes hangers and encourage your child to start selecting their own outfits and dressing themselves. A hat or coat rack installed inside the closet door down low will encourage your child to start taking care of their own room by hanging hats, bags and coats when they enter the room. Placing a bench in this area will encourage them to put on their own shoes and start to take care of themselves. Your efforts will help your child grow confidently and make life easier for you and your child.

By: Ron Maier Jr.

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Fetal Development

Baby cribs have evolved much the same as everything else with the new technology we have today. They are no longer just rectangular with one drop down side for ease of access. Below are some explanations of the differences in the new styles of cribs available today.

First lets discuss the traditional style baby crib. Traditionally these cribs have a stationary mattress and a drop down side for ease of access, however the newer models are changing to all sides stationary and with an adjustable mattress height. This helps to eliminate the possibility of latch malfunctions that can cause severe harm or even death to your baby. The new baby crib models have now begun to convert to toddler beds for longer use. These cribs are approximately 56in W x 32in D x 42in H. Different brands and styles will vary slightly in size and many brands have furniture to match to complete your nursery.

A more modern crib available is the lifetime baby crib. These cribs usually have an adjustable mattress height and stationary sides so as your child grows the mattress is dropped and the risk is reduced that they will climb out and fall. Once the stage begins that your child is ready to start sleeping in a bed the crib converts to a toddler bed and then on to a full size bed with the addition of bed rails, this is where the term lifetime comes from. The toddler bed guard rails are used to prevent your little one from falling out as he/she adjusts to sleeping in a bed instead of a crib. Then as your child grows and is ready for a bed, the toddler bed can again be converted to a full sized bed. This type of baby crib usually comes with a nice selection of furniture to match or coordinate with the crib style. These baby cribs are approximately 44in H x 58in W x 30in D but will vary according to brand and style.

Now also available is the new round baby crib. These cribs come in a variety of styles and configurations. There is a heart-shaped crib available that comes in single or twin. Also if you are lucky enough to have triplets or even more, one model is designed to accommodate them all by connecting multiple cribs together. They are available in wood, several types of metal and a variety of colors. They also have multiple dome configurations to customize them to your taste. These round cribs are approximately 45 in diameter giving the baby 11 square feet of space. There is also a large variety of bedding to make your new round baby crib as fancy and elegant as you want the nursery to be.

By: Wilda Dilts

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Dazzle White

Toddler bedding is an important investment and goes beyond just being sheets and and comforter. A child’s room should be a fun and inviting place that reflects their personality and likes. Most toddler bed sets come with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, a pillowcase and a comforter. These sets are designed especially for toddler sized beds, which is smaller than a twin size. This bedding is usually sized for a crib-sized mattress making the transitions from crib to toddler bed much easier.

Let the child help choose the bedding

Around the age of two is generally a good age to transition your child from a crib to a bigger bed. This is important for the child’s safety as well as their comfort. This is quite an active age when children become very curious and like to climb out of their cribs. It may be fun for your child to help choose their new bedding and help get them excited about getting a new bed. They may feel quite comfortable in their crib still so it is important to get them involved in the process of graduating to a bigger bed.

Go for comfort

Children love to cuddle up with soft blankets and soft sheets so you want to look for bedding that is 100% cotton with 200 thread count sheets. For the winter months you could choose flannel sheets that are super comfortable for your little ones and often come in some really fun designs. High quality children’s bedding is a must for toddlers as it will have to endure many washings and you want your toddler bedding to hold up to the usage.

Coordinates and Accessories

Today most sets come with matching curtains, shams, pillows, blankets, and wall decor. For wall decor you can often find things such as growth charts to mark your child’s growth, personalized wall hangings, wall clocks, and more. To complete the room even more you can also find matching rugs, doorknobs and light switch plate covers.

When choosing a design the selection of designs today are wide and go beyond the movie and TV characters. For girls you can find themes such as mermaids, flowers, tea parties, fish themes and of course princess themes. For the little boys look for fun themes such as cowboys, dinosaurs, cars, trains, pirates and construction themes. With the great themes out there today it is important to think about what your child likes and what would make them feel most comfortable in their rooms as well as choosing toddler bedding that is affordable for you.

By: Melanie Landi

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Buying Car Insurance