Toddler Keeps Falling Out of Bed
The short answer
Falling out of bed is common when toddlers first transition from a crib and can continue into preschool age. Most falls result in a startled, crying child but no injury. Using bed rails, placing the mattress on the floor, or adding cushioning beside the bed can prevent falls while your child adjusts.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
Falls are most common at this age because body awareness during sleep is still developing. The safest option is placing the mattress directly on the floor. If using a bed frame, mesh bed rails on both sides provide the most protection. Keep the floor beside the bed clear of hard toys and consider placing a soft rug alongside the bed as extra cushioning.
Bed falls are still common, especially during active sleep or when children are overtired and sleep more restlessly. Pool noodles placed under the fitted sheet along the bed edges can create a subtle bumper. Continue using bed rails if needed - there is no age at which your child must outgrow them.
Most children have fewer falls by this age as body awareness during sleep improves. If falls are still frequent, ensure your child is not overtired (which causes more restless sleep) and that the bed is not too high. A body pillow along the edge can serve as a gentle barrier.
Occasional falls may happen but should be infrequent. If your child is falling out regularly, consider whether sleep quality could be a factor. Children with sleep-disordered breathing often have more restless sleep and may fall more often. Mention frequent falls to your pediatrician.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler falls out of bed occasionally, especially in the first months after leaving the crib
- Falls happen during restless nights, illness, or overtired nights
- Your child wakes up, cries briefly, and returns to sleep without injury
- Falls decrease over time as your child adjusts to sleeping in a bed
- Your child falls out of bed more than once a week despite using safety measures
- Falls are accompanied by unusual movements, twitching, or behaviors suggesting a sleep disturbance
- Your child over 5 regularly falls out of bed
- Your child falls and hits their head, showing signs of concussion such as vomiting, confusion, or excessive sleepiness
- Your child is injured and you are concerned about broken bones or significant bruising
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Sleep Concerns
When and How to Switch to a Toddler Bed
Most children transition from a crib to a toddler bed between ages 2 and 3.5. The main reasons to switch are safety (climbing out of the crib) or practical need (a new baby needs the crib). If your child is sleeping well and not climbing out, there is no rush. Children who transition closer to age 3 often adjust more easily due to better impulse control.
Baby Is Restless and Tossing All Night
Some degree of restless sleep is normal, especially as babies learn to roll and move. Babies cycle through light and deep sleep, and movement during light sleep phases is common. However, consistently very restless sleep with frequent arousals may be related to discomfort, sleep environment, or rarely, sleep-disordered breathing.
How Long Should Baby Be Awake Between Naps?
The ideal awake time between naps (called a "wake window") increases as your baby grows. Newborns may only handle 45-90 minutes awake, while toddlers can manage 4-6 hours. Getting wake windows right is one of the most effective ways to improve nap quality, because both too-short and too-long wake times lead to poor sleep.
Is a Bath Before Bed Really Necessary?
A nightly bath is not medically necessary and some babies with sensitive skin do better with less frequent bathing. However, a warm bath can be a powerful sleep cue because the subsequent body temperature drop triggers melatonin production. If you include a bath, keep it calm and warm rather than stimulating.
How Long Should the Bedtime Routine Be?
An ideal bedtime routine for babies and toddlers is 20-30 minutes. Shorter routines may not give enough time to wind down, while routines longer than 45 minutes can become a stalling tactic. Consistency in the routine order matters more than exact length.
Is My Baby's Bedtime Too Early?
For most babies over 3 months, bedtime between 6:00-8:00 PM is appropriate. A bedtime that is too early can cause early morning wakings (before 6 AM) or long periods of wakefulness in the middle of the night. However, during nap transitions or on days when naps were short, an earlier-than-usual bedtime helps prevent overtiredness.