15 Month Old Climbing Out of Crib

My oldest daughter was just over 15 mts when we put her in a toddler bed. She loved it! She did fall out once but since it was so low to the ground it wasn't a problem. The problem began when she realized she could get up and go any time she wanted! Good Luck

That is when you know that they are ready for a toddler bed. Just get one with rails on the sides to prevent falling, not that its that far to the ground with a T-bed but still. As soon as mine cralled out of bed they got toddler beds. Then you just have to worry about them getting up when they aren't supposed to. Thats the "fun" part.

I would say go with the toddler bed. I think more harm could be done falling out of the crib.

Hi J.,
From what I have heard, when they start to climb out of the crib it's time to go to a toddler bed (before they hurt themselves when they fall from the crib).

15 months is on the early side, but I've known people that needed to move their child to a toddler bed around that time for the same reason. I think once they have done it once, it's unlikely that they will stop climbing out. I'd recommend going to a toddler bed or matress right on the floor - you mentioned his liking to climb and with either of those options, he'd be close enough to the ground that he's not going to hurt himself if he is climbing, jumping, rolling, etc. He is very young to understand and follow instructions not to do those things especially at times when you aren't directly supervising him like in the middle of the night. Be sure the room is safe - secure furniture to the wall and make sure nothing can fall on him if he pulls on it. Also be sure there is nothing he can climb under the window and be sure those have safety devices too. My windows have them built in - only allows windows to open about 2 inches. If he can open the door, be sure to also put a gate in his doorway so he can't get out and wander around the house while you are sleeping. Then go for it and let him sleep in a toddler bed or matress.

Hi J.,
If he is climbingout you only have 2 options, 1 is a toddler bed the other is a canapy that fits over the crib, but if your son is that advanced he will probably in no time figure out how to get out.
Good Luck
L.

I have had two boys and the first one started climbing out of his crib at about 16 months I tried taking the bed apart and boy was the a mistake everyone I know who takes the crib apart at this age puts it back a few days later. I t made bed time a huge ordeal because I lost all control and he could get out of the bed so easily keeping him in there long enough to fall asleep was impossible. What I did that worked with both of my children was standing at the door and crack it just a tiny bit so that they cannot see you but you can see them and as soon as they go to climb out say in a very firm kinda of mean voice lay down or no no and they usually will lay down and start crying and then get up and try it again if they do keep climbing out go in the room and lay them back down and say no no. You may have to repeat this 2 or 3 times the first couple times but I sware to you it works they can not figure out how you can see them and I think they start to assume your always watching. This has worked with both of my boys after a little while they just stopped trying, believe me if it worked with my kids it should work with anyones. My firs son was into everthing all the time and could figure out any child safe lock I used he is also extremly strong willed and very difficult he is now 5 and is still into everything all the time so hopefully this will help you.

J., my daughter started climbing out of her crib and into her twin brother's crib at about 18 months. We converted the cribs to toddler beds shortly thereafter because then my son began climbing into hers and they would switch beds. That's when we knew they were ready for toddler beds. It took about one or two weeks for them to get comfortable to the point where they would fall right asleep again. We did a lot of reading and talking to them and at first, we laid with them until they fell asleep and gradually eased ourselves out of the room.

I've always co-slept with my son, but friend of mine had the same problem with her son trying to climb out of his crib around the age of 13 months, and ended up baby-proofing his bedroom, and setting up a mattress on the floor for him during the transition from crib to toddler bed. She also put a knob cover on the door to prevent him from opening it, and never had any problems with the arrangement. I'm sure this may work with a crib mattress, but I'm assuming it would work much better with a larger mattress. Good luck!

My son broke himself out of his crib and play pen sleeping stage when he was about 18 months. He would climb out. At my moms house she had a play pen for him and in that room she also had a bed. He would climb out and fall asleep on the bed. Just make sure you have his room all child safed!

Hi J.

My son (who is now 12 yrs) did this when he was about 18 months old. My pediatrician said it was fine to go to a "big boy bed" or to just leave the side rail down on his crib as long as the mattress was on the lowest setting. If he does climb out, its not any higher than a bed, but they have the security of sleeping in their crib that they are used to. I agree with the other moms who suggested child proofing EVERYTHING, everywhere in your house !
The fun has JUST begun ! :-)

A. R

He's telling you it's time for a toddler bed! It'll be safer for him because once children get to the point of climbing out, they can hurt themselves if you don't advance him to a more suitable bed for him.

Hi J., I had the same thing with my son. He was 16 months and he would climb/fall out of the crib. He is very big too he is now 21 months and weights 30 pd. he was big when I had him. We got out our toddler bed and the first few times we had to sit with him but then he stayed in the bed and went to sleep. I think you should try it bec. it can hurt anything and once they climb out they don't stop. Good Luck.

Hello. My son did the exact same thng. I was also afraid he might fall out of the crib and hurt himself. When he was 15 months old we put him in a twin sized bed with bed rails and that worked fine for him. I think it also depends on their size. My son is very big for his age, in the 95th percentile, so the twin bed was great. If your son is smaller I would say go for the toddler bed, there's less chance of falling out and hurting themselves when they are closer to the ground. The only problem you might have is that he'll be able to get out of bed easier and might make some nightly trips to your room for awhile. My son did this for a few weeks until he got used to the big boy bed. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

I have 2 boys that are 19 months apart, during my 3rd trimester with the second, my son started to climb out of his crib. And I was not ready to put him in a toddler bed, so we got a crib tent. It's a mesh dome (so he can still breathe and walk around in there ok) but it is securely attached with a zipper door across the front so you can get him in and out quickly. Google it, it's by Tots In Mind. It took a bit before he figured out the zipper, so I just safety pinned it shut and would put him in there for time out when he misbehaved.

Hi J.~
We switched our son over to a "big boy" bed at 18 months old. Luckily, it wasn't because he was climbing out, but he was too big for the crib. The switch went pretty well. We did have to childproof everything...even his closet has a lock. He got into things in his room that I never expected him to. I found him sitting in a drawer during naptime once...oh my!
Another option you have if your not ready to put him into a toddler bed is a crib tent. Another mom I know uses that to keep her son "contained" in the crib. It just looks like a mesh tent that goes over the top of the crib.
Best of Luck!
~E.

We had to take my son out of a crib early also. He would shake it and the one screw would come out. I have a friend who puts her kids in a bed as soon as they turn one. It is really a personal preference. I do have a suggestion though. If you want to make sure he doesn't get out of his room, put one of those door knob covers on the inside of the room and he won't get out. You will have a more restful sleep knowing that he won't get hurt wondering around the house while you are sleeping. Hope this helps!

hi J.
he sounds like he is ready for a toddler bed he could fall and hurt himself if he climbs out of the crib my son was two when he was first put in a toddler bed my daughter on the other hand was about we put her in a toddler bed before her first birthday she did very well with it she only fell out once the crib we had converted into a day bed we put the peice that holds the mattress on its lowest setting which was practicly on the floor just in case she did roll out she wouldnt hurt herself she did start getting out of bed at night and play but she would eventually go get back in bed and go to sleep by herself hope this helps good luck

My son (14 mos) has been in a bed (twin size) since his first birthday. We started out just with naps in our bed at 6 months but my point is, there is never "too young". It is what works for you and your child. Crawling out of the crib is a sign that he is ready and if you don't want to spend the money on a toddler bed, he will do great in a "big boy bed" too. Good luck and one more tip, it helps to let him help you put it together, then he is excited about his new bed!

I put my daughter in a toddler bed at 18 months. She also climbed out. Good luck!

I moved my middle child to a big bed when she was 13 months because she was climbing out. It was stressful giving her that freedom. I had a hard time sleeping so when my third child started climbing out a little over a year old, I bought a tent for the crib. It worked for several months, until he figured out how to open it. At least it gave me a few extra months of knowing he was safe at night.

Good luck. If your child is anything like my two youngest, you will be adding locks to your doors before you know it just to keep him in the house.