Why does my baby climb out of his crib at night?

Why does my baby climb out of his crib at night?

Gary Feldman (Medical Director, Stramski Disorders Center, Miller Children's Hospital ) gives expert video advice on: What sleep position is best for my baby?; What should my baby wear to help him sleep at night?; Should my child take toys to bed? and more...

If your baby is climbing out of the crib, you've got to ask yourself the question why? They're either climbing out of the crib because it's daytime and they're ready to play, and if it's not and it's nightime, then they've woken up and they are looking for something. Now the question is why they are looking for something. If a child is used to putting themselves to sleep naturally, when they wake up naturally at night, there should be no reason for them to climb out of their crib. So, if they are climbing out of the crib, the only assumption is that they are wanting to be with their parents or they're wanting to play or there is something wrong with their sleep routine, and it has to be fixed. Now, again, looking at it you've got to go back and say "how did my child go to sleep?" If the child is climbing out of the crib, how did they go to sleep? If sleep was an issue and they were used to a whole bunch of things or you were lying with your child or you were sitting next to your child, or you were holding your child while they were falling asleep, then probably if they were climbing out of their crib, they're looking for you because they've woken up and they can't get back to sleep unless you hold them, or repeat exactly what you did at bedtime.