New Baby on the Way, 22 Month Old Sleeps in Crib - When Should I Move Her?

NOW! My son and daughter are 21 months apart and we moved him a couple months before she was born so that he did not feel like she was taking his bed. We put him in a twin bed with guards on the side and made a big deal about his new bed. He still had some issues with wanting to be in the crib with her, but never had a real problem with giving up the crib for her since he had a cool big boy bed. The key is for her not to feel like she is giving up her bed as she will have enough to feel like she is giving up without that added stressor.

YES! If you dont move her before the new baby is born then she might feel resentful towards the new baby. She might feel like the new baby is taking her place and then you'll have a big mess on your hands! My friend didnt start potty training her daughter, she was around 2 1/2, before the new baby came, she is now 4 1/2 and still wearing pull ups. The doctor told her that it is the only way she knows how to get the same attention that the baby gets! So, I would suggest making the switch before the baby comes, just to make her feel special. Make a big deal out of it! Kids take things differntly. She might have a hard time accepting the new baby!

Hi there-
We had a crib that converted into a toddler day bed, so our transition was alittle easier, because basically they are still in the crib. Once my daughter started climbing just alittle I wasnt taking chances so at about 16 months she went to the toddler bed. I had bought a rail and it fit is perfect so that she wouldnt roll out of bed. It has worked out really well, as she doesnt even get out of the bed in the morning or after naps. ( I am not sure that she thinks she can ) That is nice as she stays put until I get her. Also we are expecting again in July and we are moving her to another room with a BIG GIRL bed! Which will be a twin with new comforter and such to help her "Give it to the baby" We want her to feel special about getting older and change- for her and the baby. The binkies are next- :) hopefully. I hope that this helps. I also agree that if you dont have the conversion bed like we do, then have the two beds in the same room to have HER choose which one to sleep in. - Good Luck

It is ok to try to transition her to a big girl bed My son was 18 months when he went to a big boy bed he loves it and does very good try it and see how she does. My best friend has a 15 monthold that is in a toddler bed now to and she does very good in it to So I would try and see what happens I have twins coming and my son is about to get a twin bed for him so we and put the toddler bed away for the twins later

Let me know

I would transition your daughter into the new bed now. Then if she doesn't like it or it doesn't work out you can move her back into the crib. I would also place a baby gate at the door of her room so that she doesn't get out of her room and wonder the house during the night or in the morning before you get up. If your daughter is excited about the new baby you can pump her up about how she is a big girl now and doesn't need a baby bed. Let her have some of her baby dolls sleep in the crib while she (the big girl) sleeps in her new bed. Good Luck and Congrats on a new baby.

I moved both of my dd's before they turned 2 mostly because they were ready. With my first dd I was pregnant and wanted to give her a few months to transition to her new room and forget about the crib- didn't want any mixed emotions from dd when she saw the baby sleeping in "her" crib. She had absolutely no problem transitioning and never thought twice about the crib. She never looked back!
This time around I moved my 2nd dd out of the crib before I knew I was pregnant. She now has to change rooms though so I am trying to allow enough time for her to get used to her new room. I too am due in June:)
I never used a toddler bed- I wanted to avoid an additional transition to a big bed later. We have bed rail and all has been great!
So I guess my thought process is transition before the baby comes so your dd doesn't feel additional stress/pressure or blame the baby for the changes, if that makes sense.
Good luck!

Just to avoid your daughter feeling like you are moving her because of the new baby - I would try to transition her before the baby comes.

Enjoy,
Mel

I agree with Maranda. I would put the toddler bed in the same room as the crib, we did that with my daughter. We started on it about three months before my son was born just to get her used to the idea that there is a bed for her just not the crib. She might rebel a little after the baby is born, like climb into the crib if your child is a climber. But just let her know that she is becoming a big girl and that she will be a big sister. We also bought a gift for her to give to the new baby and a gift from the new baby to her. It really helped her understand that she is not forgotten.

I put my daughter in her bed when she was 22 months and she did just great! We put her in a twin bed with side rails and she loved being such a big girl. I think that it is better to do it before the new baby so that she can get used to it. It will also help get her used to the idea of a new baby and her role as a big sister. Only you know if your little girl is truely ready, though, all kids are different. I have my third on the way and there is no way I am putting my son in a big boy bed before the new baby! He would never sleep! So all kids are ready at different times. Good luck!

I just faced the same issue when my second was born this January. I was not and still am not ready to put my oldest in a twin or toddler bed. He will be 2 in a month and I know a few parents who switched before 2 and were fine but others who regretted the decision because they were faced with taking the older child back to bed over and again throughout the night or relenting and letting them sleep in their bed. Each child is different and reaches the maturity required for a toddler or twin bed at a different time. If you think your 22 month old will stay in a bed and sleep and not wonder the house or come to your room then you're probably right, you know best. For me, I got a second crib from my m-i-l, when my son is ready for it to be converted he will let me know.

The advice I was given with my firstborn, was to (provided you have the room) Put the new bed in the room WITH the crib, and let her choose which one she wants to sleep in. I had them both in the same room for 3 days before she decided to sleep in the toddler bed, and she never wanted to sleep in the crib agian. I still kept it in her room for about a week so that she'd feel secure just having it there. Good luck.

most definatly do it now you don't want your oldest to feel that she has to give up her bed tot he new baby jealousy is likely enough as it is, making her give up her things to the new baby without a break in between will only make it worse, and teh transition might not be an easy one you never know so you are better off jsut getting it over with and giving her plenty of time so it's not oh here;s thenew baby you have to give her your bed. good luck and congrats.

I have a similar situation - my boys are 19 months apart. I say move her before the baby is born. Then she is already in her big girl bed and it won't be another adjustment after the baby is here. It worked well for us!

Hi M.!

The policy I used w/ all 3 of my girls was when they started climbing out of the crib, they were moved to a toddler bed (to avoid them busting their heads, lol). My 2 youngest girls are 23 months apart. Dess was still in the crib when we brought Zanna home from the hospital. By the time Zanna was getting too big for her bassinet & ready for the crib (a few months later) Dess was already in her toddler bed. Something I did to avoid jealousy issues for Dess was having her as involved as possible w/ the pregnancy.. She was very excited about her new baby sister & being the BIG sister, lol.. Explaining to her that there was going to be a new baby, yes.. But she was my special big girl. :-) Every child is different, but that's what worked for me.

Best of luck to you!
T.

I would move the older one before the baby comes so that it is about her becoming a big girl and not the baby taking her place. That will give a good long time before the baby sleeps in there and she can be passing her baby bed down to her sister or brother. Good Luck.