There are certain things that when we think about, we automatically associate with small infants. Things like bottles, pacifiers, and diapers are often associated with small infants and toddlers. It makes sense, as these items are primarily used by children of that age. Another word that we often associate with babies is cribs. Cribs are a staple in any nursery, and they ensure that babies have a safe space to sleep in at night. They are on every registry and mom can dread the day when she has to move her baby out of the crib.
She may worry that they will get out of bed all night, and start wandering around the house. She likes the peace of mind knowing that her child is somewhere safe and contained at night when the rest of the house is asleep. Her child may also be extremely comfortable in the crib and mom worries that she is in for a battle when it comes time to move them. There may be cases where older children are still in a crib, and it could get to the point where mom is embarrassed to say her child is still in a crib.
Mom may feel a sense of “shame” from a society that her older child is still in a crib, but there are a few reasons why this transition has not happened yet.
A Mom’s Confession
Every once in a while, a mom opens up about why her older child is still in a crib and she may not realize it, but by sharing her story on social media she may be helping other moms who are in the same situation. According to Today, one mom opened up about how her 5-year-old still sleeps in a crib. She said that her son has never asked for a “big boy bed,” and so she had never really thought about it. She had received comments from family about how her child is too old to be still sleeping in a crib. Then came her ultimate confession, she doesn’t want him to grow up. She feels that when he makes that move, he will officially not be her “baby” any more and she is just not ready for that day.
Better Sleep?
According to Reuters, staying in a crib until at least 3 years old may mean that your child gets more sleep and they may sleep better. A lot of parents transition their children to a bed before their third birthday, but this is a great reason to hold it off. This was shown through a study that was done that involved surveys parents filled out and the parents who kept their children in cribs longer reported less resistance at bedtime, fewer times waking up at night and longer sleep duration for children overall.
The Truth Is
According to The Baby Sleep Site, the absolute truth is that sleeping in a crib until 5 is no one’s real business other than the parents and the child. There is no age that is a “rule” for any baby or parent, and if a mom finds that her child is comfortable and sleeping well in a crib, then she may just want to leave them in there. The experts recommend waiting until at least 3 to 4 years old, and that it is always important not to rush the process, because it could end up being a negative experience that could induce a lot of battles.
Sources: Today, Reuters, The Baby Sleep Site