Crib to Big-Kid Bed: When to Switch and What to Check

Parents often ask at what age a child should leave the crib. Canadian guidance gives two signs instead: your child can climb out, or is taller than 90 cm.

When should your child leave the crib?

Every crib sold in Canada must carry this warning under the federal crib regulations: "Do not use this crib for a child who can climb out of it or who is taller than 90 cm." Health Canada tells parents to move their child to a junior bed at that point, whichever sign comes first.

The Canadian Paediatric Society is a little stricter: consider a toddler bed once your baby starts trying to climb out or reaches 35 inches tall. Until then, keep the crib bare, as our guide to safe baby sleep explains.

What should you check in a toddler bed or floor bed?

We found no Health Canada guidance written for floor beds. The closest is the toddler bed checklist in its Sleep Time guide:

• Follow the maker's age and weight limits, and read the warning labels.
• Check that the mattress is compatible with the bed and in good condition.
• Leave no large gap between the mattress and the guardrails, headboard or footboard.
• Choose a low bed, and check often that the frame is sturdy.
• Openings in the guardrails, or other parts above the mattress support, should be less than 8.4 cm.

Guardrails only remind your child that the edge is close. They do not stop a fall or a climb over the rail.

What about portable bed rails and bunk beds?

Rails that attach to an adult bed are a different product. Health Canada says never to put a child under two on a bed fitted with portable bed rails. For a younger child, clear the floor around the bed or put a crib mattress on the floor beside it.

The top bunk is not safe for children under 6, Health Canada adds. We found no guidance on house beds with a raised sleeping area. Our reading, not a Health Canada rule: treat a raised platform like a top bunk.

What changes in the bedroom?

A child who can leave the bed alone can reach the whole room. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises window guards, or latches so windows open no more than 10 cm, and anchoring top-heavy furniture to the wall.

What do two of our floor beds offer?

The Little Dreamer Floor Bed from Mimi Beds is a low bed where little ones climb in and out on their own, in a Montessori spirit.

Little Dreamer Floor Bed (CA)

The APPLE TWIN from Sapiens Child is a standard twin floor bed with side rails and a slatted base, made in Vancouver from CARB 2-certified wood.

APPLE TWIN - Montessori Floor Bed with Rails

Each maker sets age, weight and height limits for its own bed, and Health Canada says to follow them. Those limits don't replace the two signs above for leaving the crib.

How does ordering a bed from us work?

Most of our products ship directly from our partner brands, so items from two brands may arrive in separate parcels. Each brand's shipping fee is shown at checkout. Orders are generally processed within 1 to 3 business days, then delivered 3 to 10 business days after dispatch.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should my child move to a big-kid bed?

None of the official sources above gives an age. Parachute, a Canadian injury-prevention charity, notes that children usually reach 90 cm around age two.

Can I reuse the crib mattress?

Health Canada says many crib mattresses fit toddler beds, if the two are compatible and no large gap is left. A twin floor bed needs a twin mattress.

Can an 18-month-old use portable bed rails?

No. Health Canada says never to use them for a child under two.

How long can my child use a toddler bed?

Until about age five, Health Canada says, within the maker's limits for your bed.