The time when your adorable snuggly baby turns into a needy yet independent toddler is heart-warming for every parent. This is the special time when your baby is trying to master the art of talking and walking on their own.
At this stage, your baby needs additional features in the nursery. You need to free up space by getting rid of items your baby does not require anymore and bring in some essentials.
So discussed in this article are a few tips for you to easily transition your baby’s nursery into a safe toddler’s room.
Bed For Your Toddler
When kids start to grow they might climb out of their crib and land with a thud at night. If you choose to make the transition from the crib to a toddler bed then you can follow one of the two paths discussed below.
If you had a crib in the nursery with an optional rail kit for toddlers then you are in luck. You can remove one side of the crib rail and use a low safety rail to replace it. This way your child can safely go in and come out of the bed on their own.
You can also go for a low freestanding toddler bed. This bed uses the same standard mattress you used in the crib and lets your kid make his way easily in and out of the bed.
Both these options will be suitable for a child of 5 years old. After that, you will need a bigger bed for your kid. Along with the new bed, you also need new toddler bedding. You can get new pillows, blankets, and sheets to go with the bedding you already have.
Make More Room
Since your kid will be exploring all over the room you need to give them as much open floor space as you can. You can get rid of extra furniture to free up the floor space, like getting rid of the ottoman with your rocking chair.
To give your child a feeling of independence, you need to give him access to his toys. You can do this by replacing the diaper pail with a floor storage basket to keep his toys.
Your child has by now outgrown many toys, you need to get rid of these. This way the nursery will have a lot of freer space. You can use that space to bring in a child-sized seat with soft padding. Your kid will love having his chair to sit on. This will give them a newfound sense of being in their zone and having a personality.
Reorganize the Room
This will be a good time to reorganize the room and decide where to keep everything because your child will now be able to reach out for a lot of items. You can rearrange the closet to hold the seasonally appropriate cloths on the lower drawers or shelves so she can easily reach for them. Let her decide on what she wants to wear, but help her out with it too.
You can also encourage her to gather her bath items by keeping the towels and washcloths within her reach. You can use wall hooks to hang the dress so that she can reach for it when needed. She will play with them if they are accessible to her, you need to teach her how to clean up afterward as well.
You can also place colored bins in the room for cleanup time. Each item can be placed in a different colored bin. Like a grey bin for dolls, a red bin for cars, and blue for blocks.
Reuse the Changing Table Are
Now that you do not need a changing table for changing diapers which if needed can be done on a bed, you can use this extra space, for other purposes. If the changing table is wooden and freestanding, you can repurpose it into storage. If it has the option to take it apart, you can reshape it to better suit your needs. Just spend some time figuring it out, and you will have a table with a new design.
Essential items like ointment, soap, and lotion need to be kept out of reach of your toddler as they pose a health risk if swallowed. The lower shelves and bins can be used to keep books and toys that your child will enjoy playing with.
In case you cannot repurpose the changing table then it will be a good idea to replace it with a small play chair and table. Your child can use it to make small art projects. You can hang wall shelves so that the crayons, marker, and scissors can be stored out of your child’s reach. You must also secure all the furniture safely to the walls using safety anchors. This is essential as there is a chance of the furniture tumbling over your child if they try to climb it.
Finally
The priority will be safety while making the transition of the nursery to the toddler room. So you need to ensure that your child will be able to make the best of the room on their own without you having to monitor them all the time. You need to feel safe every time you leave them to play on their own, so be sure to put all hazardous items out of their reach. You should also make sure to securely bolt down furniture so they can’t topple over your child.
Toddlers are just beginning to explore the world and all it’s wonders on their own so you need to give them a safe and secure space where they can be themselves and have the most fun. Also remember to be a part of their journey during this special period, as this time does not last for too long. Happy parenting!
