One minute your little one is happily snoozing in the crib… and the next, you catch them standing on the railing like a mini mountain goat. Crib climbing can be scary for parents—and dangerous for toddlers who don’t understand heights yet.
Before you jump straight to a toddler bed, this guide walks you through exactly how to keep your baby from climbing out of the crib in a safe, developmentally appropriate, and evidence-aligned way. We’ll cover prevention, sleep schedules, room safety, behavior strategies, and how to know when it’s time to transition.
This is the guide other blogs should have written.
Is It Still Safe to Keep Your Baby in the Crib?
Before anything else, you want to confirm whether your child actually belongs in a crib at this stage.
AAP & pediatric safety guidance
Many pediatric hospitals and child sleep experts follow similar safety cues:
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If the crib rail sits below your child’s mid-chest (nipple line) when standing → high climbing risk.
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If your child is taller than around 35 inches, they can usually escape even with a low mattress.
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Falls from crib height can be 3.5–4.5 feet—high enough to cause injuries.
But… many toddlers under 3 still sleep safer in the crib
Why?
Because toddler beds give children full mobility, and younger toddlers are impulsive. They may wander the house at night, climb furniture, or get into unsafe items. For many families, it’s safer to keep the crib as long as it meets height guidelines.
If the rail is still safely above mid-chest and there’s been just one or two escape attempts, you can usually keep the crib—with proper adjustments.
Step 1: Make the Crib as Escape-Proof as Possible
These are the must-do foundational steps.
Lower the crib mattress (all the way)
Make sure your mattress is at the lowest manufacturer-approved setting. Many parents forget the last notch exists.
What about putting the mattress directly on the floor?
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Only safe if the crib manufacturer allows it and
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Only if there are no gaps between the frame and mattress where a baby could get stuck.
If unsure, skip this and use other safer methods.
Rotate or reposition the crib
If your crib has a higher side and a lower side (many do), rotate it so the higher side faces outward, away from the wall.
Then:
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Move crib away from walls
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Keep crib far from furniture that could become a “climbing ladder”
Toddlers are creative problem solvers—your room layout needs to be smarter than they are!
Keep the crib interior completely clear
No pillows, no crib bumpers, no big stuffed animals.
Not only do these violate safe sleep guidelines, but they also act as stepping stools for a climber.
A safe crib is:
✔ firm mattress
✔ fitted sheet
✔ no extras
Step 2: Use Safe Clothing & Sleep Tools to Reduce Climbing
This is where a lot of parents see immediate results.
Use a sleep sack or wearable blanket
A properly fitted sleep sack gently reduces a child’s ability to lift their leg high enough to hook it over the rail.
Tips:
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Choose the correct size (too big = easy to climb)
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Some parents turn the sleep sack backwards so toddlers can’t unzip it
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No weighted sleep sacks unless prescribed by a professional
Never use swaddles once your baby can roll.
What NOT to use
Avoid:
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Crib tents or nets (suffocation and entrapment hazards)
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Weighted blankets or heavy sleep sacks (not AAP-approved for typical sleep)
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Extra mattresses or cushions inside the crib
These options may seem helpful but increase risk.
Step 3: Childproof the Entire Room Like a Giant Crib
Most blogs ignore this critical step.
If your toddler does manage to climb out, the room must still be safe.
Room safety checklist:
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Anchor all furniture to the wall
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Secure electrical cords and blinds
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Cover outlets
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Remove small objects
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Keep bookcases unclimbable
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Remove stools, chairs, or anything that becomes a ladder
Think of the room as a “big crib”—a safe contained environment.
Secure the door for nighttime wandering
Depending on your parenting style and local guidance, families often use:
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Door knob covers
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A baby gate at the bedroom door
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High-mounted latch on the outside (used as a safety feature, not confinement)
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Continued use of a baby monitor
This isn’t about restricting freedom—it’s about preventing your toddler from roaming the house at 3 AM.
Step 4: Fix the Sleep Schedule (Huge Hidden Cause of Crib Escapes)
This is a major reason toddlers climb—but few articles talk about it.
Overtired toddlers = wild energy
A toddler who’s overtired becomes wired and impulsive → perfect recipe for climbing.
Under-tired toddlers = boredom climbing
If bedtime is too early or naps are too long, they may simply not be tired enough to settle.
Check your toddler’s wake windows
General ranges:
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12–18 months: 3–4.5 hours before bedtime
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18–24 months: 4–5.5 hours
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2–3 years: 5–6 hours
Adjust wake windows to ensure your child goes into the crib ready for sleep—not ready to train for the toddler Olympics.
Step 5: Teach Clear Boundaries Using Short, Simple Scripts
Once kids are 18+ months, behavior plays a role.
Use gentle, consistent phrasing like:
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“Crib is for sleeping. Feet stay on the mattress.”
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“Climbing the crib is not safe. Mommy keeps you safe.”
Avoid turning it into a game. Stay calm, predictable, and brief.
If your toddler climbs out:
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Say your safety script
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Place them back calmly
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Minimize attention
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Repeat as needed
Consistency makes a big difference.
Step 6: Use Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate the behavior you want to see.
Some effective options:
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Stickers on a morning chart
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A “high five for staying in the crib!”
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A small reward after several successful nights
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Praise like: “You kept your feet safe last night. I’m proud of you.”
Toddlers respond far better to positive encouragement than punishment.
Age-by-Age Strategies
Different ages require different approaches.
12–18 months
This group is usually too young for a toddler bed.
Focus on:
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Mattress height
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Sleep sack
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Room safety
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Removing climbable objects
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Adjusting schedule
Keep the crib unless height guidelines are exceeded.
18–24 months
Many toddlers can understand simple boundaries—but impulse control is still low.
Use:
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Sleep sack
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Clear scripts
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Room-proofing
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Consistent bedtime routines
Transition only if crib height is unsafe or they repeatedly climb out.
2–3 years
Some toddlers are ready for a toddler bed, but many still need crib boundaries.
Choose based on:
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Height relative to rail
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Frequency of climbing
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Ability to stay in bed
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Room safety level
No two toddlers are identical—safety comes first.
When It’s Time to Transition Out of the Crib
Transition if:
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Rail is at or below mid-chest
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Child is taller than ~35 inches
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Child climbs out repeatedly despite interventions
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You’ve crib-proofed and room-proofed but escapes continue
Safe transition tips
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Use a toddler bed or floor bed
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Add guardrails
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Keep the room childproofed
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Use a baby gate at the door
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Keep bedtime boundaries consistent
This keeps sleep safe—even without the crib.
Unsafe “Solutions” to Avoid
Parents sometimes get desperate—but avoid these:
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Crib tents not made for your crib
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Duct-taping or pinning clothing (unsafe and restrictive)
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Adding pillows/mattresses to “soften” falls
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Swaddling a climbing toddler
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Weighted blankets without medical direction
These increase risk of suffocation, entrapment, or unsafe sleep conditions.
Special Situations: Extreme Climbers or Neurodivergent Toddlers
Some toddlers have higher sensory needs or impulsivity levels and climb constantly.
If your child:
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Repeatedly climbs despite all safety measures
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Shows high impulsivity or sensory-seeking behavior
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Has developmental concerns
Speak with your pediatrician or an OT for additional safety strategies.
This is very common—and help is available.
Crib Climber Safety Cheat Sheet (Quick Summary)
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Mattress at lowest level
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Sleep sack at proper size
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Crib away from walls and furniture
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Remove toys, pillows, blankets
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Adjust nap/bedtime schedule
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Teach short safety phrases
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Praise staying in the crib
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Childproof entire room
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Use monitor + door safety
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Transition to bed when rail is too low or climbing is frequent
Final Thoughts
Crib climbing can be alarming—but with the right combination of safety adjustments, sleep schedule tuning, room-proofing, and gentle boundaries, most toddlers stop trying within a few days to a few weeks.
And if they don’t, you’ll know exactly when it’s time to transition to a toddler bed safely.