Time for a Toddler Bed??

Hi K.,
When I decided to transfer my son to his toddler bed, I placed it right next to his crib so that his head was in the same position as it was when he was in his crib. I left it that way for months before moving the toddler bed to it's "home". It made the transition smoother for him. I hope this helps.

I had the same problem when my daughter was about 20 months and due to the layout of our home, decided the best plan would be to keep her in the crib longer. I bought a crib tent--a net that goes over the crib and is attached by some strong Velcro straps. I researched them online and then found the cheapest one at Walmart.com and had it sent site-to-store, though it was available at Baby'sRUs for nearly double the cost but without no wait. I wouldn't buy a used one (you'll need the directions and any extra parts) and make sure you allow yourself 20 minutes or so to put it up because the directions are kind of confusing and it's cumbersome to install. My daughter was not keen on the idea for about a week and it took some comforting and patience to get her used to the whole closed in thing, but eventually she got used to it and it's the norm now so I'd expect some hesitation and difficulties at bed time or nap time for a few days. Finances are tight and I thought long about the crib cover thinking perhaps it wasn't worth the money since my daughter was nearly 2, but I am so very glad I did. It is nice to know that she is completely safe and secure and unable to get into anything or fall and hurt herself. Good luck to you!

Hi, the later you can wait the better. One possible way to do a transition though could be to have her use the toddler bed for naps and crib at night until you're ready to totally move her. My kids were both nearly 3 before they moved out of their cribs, but it was most especially valuable when my oldest was in his crib as look as we could keep him in there so he wouldn't scamper out when our new baby woke up or cried.

My children are close in age as well and they all got moved out of the crib by two years old. In my opinion, I liked the idea of moving them into a toddler bed before they learned how to climb out of their crib. I kept the crib in their room and made a big deal out of the new bed....let them buy new sheets, etc. I also told them that if they got out of the new bed (really when falling asleep or napping) they would have to go back into the crib. I think only one of my kids tested me on that ended up sleeping in the crib one night. After that, he stayed in the bed. It seemed to work for my boys, but each child is different. Also, I was motivated to get them out of the crib b/c each had a younger brother that needed to get moved into it. One last thing, I did wait until the baby slept through the night b/c I needed to move him into the same room as the older child - I didn't want him to wake up his brother(s). And, one more thought....I hope that you are napping whenever you can - I remember how difficult life can be without sleep! Good luck!!!!

This is my feeling... Her safety is first. My child at 25mo old, tried to climb out of her crib at nap.......... That night she was sleeping in a bed!! It is not at all worth the risk of her getting injured..... and if she tried it once she'll try again. I know you are going through a lot of sleep issues w/ having a 4mo old too........ I say get it all over with now... Why put yourself through the baby not sleeping well now, then when she does, THEN ... put your daughter into a bed for yet more sleep issues in the house. Do it all now and get it over with. What I actually did w/ my daughter, she is little for a 2yr old. So we took down the crib, but we are using her crib mattress on the floor with bed rails around it. I have it all made up and everyone says it is just like a real bed. I didnt want invest in a toddler bed, I want to wait to buy her a twin bed that will last her many years. She loves this set up.. while she still has normal 2yr old sleep issues....... I wish you luck in what you decide... I hope you all get some good sleep soon!

Did she actually succeed in climbing out? My oldest got into this thing where he was very good at climbing out and in again. The funny thing is he would climb back in when he was ready to go to sleep. Is this safe? Probably not, but I was comfortable with it. Otherwise try and put the mattress on the floor and see how she does. Or maybe lower the side bar until she falls asleep and then raise it when she is asleep. My guess is she still likes her crib and might be sad to see it go. I had my two youngest in cribs at the same time for quite some time and loved it!

Good luck!!

H. Z. (SAHM 5, almost 4 and 16 month old boys)

I would be heasitant to put a 22 month old in a toddler bed. The last thing you want is for your toddler to be running around the house wild while you are sleeping. BUT that being said... if you have room for both a toddler bed AND a crib why not put up the toddler bed and let him explore? Maybe it will work out -- although i would guess he would need to be a tad older.

I converted my oldest's crib to a toddler bed when she was 2.5 and started to crash head-first out of her crib on a regular basis. It was and still is (she is a little over 3 now) tough to get her to STAY in the bed. We finally had to put one of those doornob thingies on the inside of her door to keep her in her room while we are sleeping. My 21 month old (who shares a room with her) is no where NEAR ready to be out of her crib. I am not quite sure what i am going to do when she is able to climb out of it. (she can climb IN the crib right now.. just not out of it)

Hi K.,
I would definitely put her in a bed. She could try to climb out again and hurt herself. You could try to put a gate across her room and put a monitor on in there. That way if she wakes she will call for you and she won't be getting a midnight snack instead! Lol! Some kids actually end up sleeping better in a bed. Good luck!

Ahhhhhhhh no! Just keep her in the crib as long as possible! Everyone I talk to who switches to a toddler bed regrets it! lol Wait until everyone in the house is sleeping better. Now isn't the time to introduce changes, if you aren't well rested.

I have a 22 month old too, and she makes plenty of climbing-out-of-the-crib attempts, but she really can't do it yet. If you can wait, then by all means wait! Try to focus on your other question of the sleeping issue with you and your 4 month old, then handle the toddler bed issue later. Personally, I'm hoping to use the crib for many months more just to simplify my own life right now. That outlook may work for you too.

I think it is time. We have a 6 mo old and a 20 mo old, very similiar to your situation. We had the toddler bed in his room for about 3 months before the baby came, and had him taking naps in it during the day. We transitioned to sleeping in it at night about 2 months ago. He sometimes gets up in the night, but either cries awake or comes into our room. (we put up gates for the rooms we wouldn't want him to wander into, but so far at least, he doesn't wander around at night or in the am). It is more peace of mind that worrying about them falling out of the crib. We also just transitioned the baby to the crib, after having her nap in it during the day time (both for her to get used to it and for our 22 mo old to see her in it). It has all gone well so far.. good luck,
Kim

Hi K.,

I think each child is different so allowing your child to see the bed ahead of time is a great idea. Nap time in the bed is a great idea. If you still need any help with the "big girl bed" or making her room special and unique I would love to help! I am a small business owner specializing in custom children's rooms including hand-painted murals, furnishings and hand-sewn bedding and drapery. If you'd like examples check out my website at www.bumblebug.com

Thanks and good luck!

O.

tried to climb out is different than succeeding. if you are dealing with a lot, it's not the time to change it. Explain she's not to climb out, but can call you to come get her out. Make sure the crib is on the lowest setting and don't leave any toys or things she can stand on in the crib. Also make sure no other furniture is touching that she can use to climb. You definitely want her to be safe and not climb out, but keep her in as long as you can.... good luck.

Do yourself a big favor and purchase a crib tent! It will be such a lifesaver to you. Tell your daugher how neat it is to sleep in a tent, etc. My son LOVES it! He's 2 and a half. Rushing your kid out of a crib always seems to backfire. Have you watched supernanny? lol!

My daughter was about that age when I was in my kitchen and heard a large "thump" and the pitter-patter of little feet as she escaped from her crib. She was fine, but I put her in a toddler bed right away. We bought a Dora the Explorer bedding set and she loved it. We put a bed rail up (she has a convertable crib) and she really stayed in it for the most part. At night, we put a baby gate in her door because we were afraid she would get up and get into something dangerous. She loves her bed. I don't know if you should go cold turkey (I had no choice as we had to change her crib) or introduce it slowly-I'm sure other moms will have a better idea of whether that works or not. Hang in there-I remember how awful the waking nights were!!