Now that your baby is a toddler, you may be wondering what the safe sleep rules are for a child his age. Here's what you need to know to keep your little one sleeping safely.

By the time your child is a toddler — defined as ages 1 to 3 years old — he’s no longer at risk of SIDS, and many of the rules for safe baby sleep don't apply anymore. That said, there are still some important things to consider to ensure that your toddler stays safe while he sleeps:

When to switch to a toddler bed?

Your toddler should move to a bed when he’s tall enough. You should start transitioning to a toddler bed or a twin bed with a side rail when your little one gets to be 35 inches tall, or when the height of the side rail is less than three-quarters of his height. Ideally, you should make the switch when he's as close to age 3 as possible. Most children move to a toddler bed any time between 18 months and 3 1/2 years old, though younger toddlers may not really be ready for a big bed. 

How to create a safe sleeping space.

Create a safe sleeping space. Make sure your child’s crib or bed is far away from any objects with ties or strings, like window blind pulls, curtains or electrical cords; likewise, watch for items that your toddler might be able to pull into his crib or bed, like picture frames, mobiles or other hazards. The good news: Blankets, pillows and stuffed animals no longer pose the risk that they did when your child was a baby. Now, it's fine for your toddler to sleep with a thin blanket and maybe a small pillow — but make sure the pillow isn't big enough for him to use as a makeshift step stool to climb out of his crib. And it's still a good idea to steer clear of big stuffed animals or soft toys.

Take steps to protect crib climbers. Toddlers love moving around and exploring their environment — which can mean trying to climb out of their cribs. If your child is still in a crib, keep his crib mattress on the lowest setting to make it harder for him to get out. And avoid putting anything in the crib that your child could step on to help climb out, like stuffed toys or crib bumpers. Even with these precautions in place, your toddler might still be able to climb out of his crib anyway. If that’s the case, and he's doing it frequently, it’s probably time to move him into a toddler bed or a twin bed with a side rail.   

When can my child stop sleeping on their back?

Let your toddler sleep in a position that’s comfortable for him. After his first birthday, you no longer have to put your child to sleep on his back. He’s old enough to sleep safely on his back, stomach or side — so let him stick with whatever position he picks. 

What can my toddler keep in bed?

Once your child reaches 18 months, it’s fine for him to sleep with a thin blanket or lovey. But if he's in a crib, make sure the blanket and stuffed animal are small enough so that he can't use them to climb over the side.

When can my child use a pillow?

Research hasn’t shown exactly when it’s 100 percent safe to put a pillow or other soft object in the crib after your baby turns 1 year old.

To play it safe, you’re better off waiting until he transitions to a toddler bed, which can happen between 18 months and 3 1/2 years (and the closer to 3 years old you can wait, the better). Your best bet is to hold off until your child is 2 and in a bed before introducing a small, thin pillow. 

Not only does waiting longer further reduce suffocation risk, but keeping a pillow out of your toddler’s crib means he won’t be able to use it as a step to try to climb out. Big stuffed animals and other stuffed toys should also stay out of the crib, as they can also pose a suffocation hazard and be used to climb out of the crib.