When should I…?

Gear Transitions

Move baby from bassinet to crib

  • When they exceed the weight limit or are too long to comfortably fit, or if they’re able to sit up (and thus risk falling out), around 3-6 months

Move from bassinet in stroller to regular seat

  • When they are too long to comfortably fit, act frustrated that they can’t see more, or are able to sit up, around 3-6 months

  • You may also want to switch if you’re trying to discourage stroller naps, to focus on crib naps only

Lower crib

  • As soon as they start showing signs of wanting to pull up to stand, around 5-8 months

Change stroller to face outward

  • Personal choice - facing you helps baby feel safe and is great for connection in the early months. But eventually it’s also important for them to see more of the world. Around 6-9 months.

Change carrier to face outward

  • When they have strong head and neck control, around 6 months

Switch from infant car seat to convertible car seat

  • When baby outgrows the weight or height limits

Switch car seat to forward facing

  • After 2 years old, but experts recommend later if possible. If toddler gets car sick, switching to forward facing can really help. 

Sleep Transitions

Move baby to own room

  • Usually between 2-6 months, after 4 months if you want to be more conservative

Stop swaddling

  • When they show signs of trying to roll over from back to tummy, around 2-5 months

Allow baby to sleep on stomach

  • Once your baby is consistently able to roll onto their stomachs on their own, usually between 4-6 months old. It’s still recommended that you place baby in crib on their back until 1 year, but if they roll onto tummy themselves, you don’t need to roll them back. 

Drop a nap

  • Drop the third nap: between 6-8 months

  • Drop the second nap: between 13-18 months

  • Drop the nap altogether: between 3-5 years old (but try to continue “quiet time”)

  • Click “More” for readiness signs

Begin Sleep Training

  • Between 4-6 months is the optimal time to start (but it’s never too late - though a toddler may be trickier)

  • Baby must be at least 12 pounds and not sick or teething. Also make sure you aren’t traveling for at least a few weeks after you begin

Wean off pacifiers

  • Either early on as part of Sleep Training, or by 2 or 3 years old

Take out of sleep sack

  • Safety-wise, you can switch to blanket after 1 year, but I’d recommend keeping in sleep sack until 2 years old or they outgrow it

Move from crib to toddler bed

  • Montessori advocates recommend moving to a floor bed around 12 months (or earlier)

  • But sleep consultants encourage using crib as long as possible (until they are climbing out)

  • Really comes down to your priorities and your child

Stop monitoring at night

  • Depends on layout of your house and your own psychological needs, but probably best to unplug between 2-4 years

Feeding Transitions

Introduce a bottle

  • Around 4-6 weeks

Stop burping

  • Around 4-6 months

Stop sanitizing bottles

  • CDC says it is less important after two months (unless baby has weakened immune system)

Stop tracking feeds

  • Personal preference (unless baby has weight gain challenges, in which case continuing to track is important)

Introduce solids

  • Between 4-6 months, when “readiness signs” are met (click “More” for signs)

Introduce water

  • Around 6 months when eating solids (but it’s optional)

Transition to cow’s milk

  • Around 12 months (but if you want to keep breastfeeding, go for it!)

Stop giving bottles

  • Between 12-18 months

Hygiene Transitions

Stop using baby detergent (e.g. Dreft)

  • Depends on baby’s skin sensitivity

Move out of infant tub to real bath

  • When they can sit up by themselves, usually between 6-8 months

Start brushing teeth

  • Officially: twice a day, as soon as the first tooth appears; realistically, if you’re able to  brush before bedtime most days, starting at 1 year old, you should feel pretty great

Potty train

  • Between 2 and 3 years old, when showing readiness signs (click “More” for signs)

Play Transitions

Use the Jolly Jumper 

  • As early as 3-4 months, if they can hold up their head up independently 

Go on the baby swing

  • Around 6 months, when they have even better head/neck control

Babyproof the house

  • When they’re on the verge of becoming mobile, around 6 months

Consider preschool

  • I think 3 years old is ideal, but some great preschools (at least in San Francisco) start enrolling at 2 years old and it’s harder to get in later

  • Decision also depends on the quality of your childcare alternatives

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