Crib Tent Vs. Toddler Bed

I put my son in a toddler bed at 14 months and my daughter at 17 months. I got them really excited about it and they slept better in it than the crib because they were so excited to have a big kid bed

My Ashlee could get out of her crib really early. We did get a crib tent and I loved it. I was able to sleep at night knowing she was safe. It did take her a couple of nights to get use to it and it was not the easiest thing to install but my husband was able to do it with no problems.

At about the same age my oldest son figured out how to get out of the crib. He fell out twice and that was enough for me. I got him one of those low to the ground toddler beds with rails from Pottery Barn Kids and it worked great. I did have to make sure certain areas of the house, including the stairs, were gated since he could now freely move around if he chose to.

Those crib tents scare me a little especially if the child is large enough to either stand up and get tangled in it or figure out how to get it off. I would recommend the toddler bed ... Good luck!

B.,
I would suggest transitioning your child to a toddler bed. My daughter began sleeping in the "big girl bed" around 20 months and has done very well in it. We read her books and talked about it for a week or so before putting her in it for naptime for a week. Then we put her in it at bedtime. At first, she did get out a lot, but we just had to keep putting her back in and be patient. I don't think she was being obstinant, just trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Now she loves her bed and rarely gets out on her own.
I don't think the getting up in the middle of the night should affect your decision to put her in a big bed, unless you are concerned about her getting out of bed if you don't want her to. I know you didn't ask, but I think getting her to sleep through the night would be a first priority--for a typical child that age there is no reason for them to not be sleeping through the night. I understand this may be a sticky subject, and I apologize if you don't want any input/advice, but I am available for more help here if you want it. Good luck with the bed--I'd definitely suggest either the tent or bed to keep your child from injuring herself. Thanks for asking for advice!
A.

B.,
You do what you feel most comfortable with for your little one. My son climbed/fell out of his crib at 15 months (5 months ago). We converted his bed to the toddler bed and he is doing great. I have never known anyone who has used the crib tent though, so I am kind of one-sided :)

When my daughter started doing this I took only one of the sliding sides off of her crib and lowered the mattress as much as possible. She thought that was great till in the evening her bed was open on one side for sleeping and she was feeling insecure about it. She asked for the side to be put back on and we agreed if she wouldn't climb out. She still woke up and made verbal requests but she didn't come crashing out any more.

B.,

My oldest was able to get out of his crib at 10 months old with the mattress lowered all the way and no bumpers. We used a crib tent until he was 2. We recently purchased 2 more for our latest additions (15mo and 14 mo). They now come with a complete netting surrounding the crib so the don't get their limbs stuck between the slats. I wish I had know that before investing in 2 crib shield systems! I think they are great. That being said, with your child already almost 2, you might try the bed for a few nights and if that doesn't work, then go get a crib tent. My oldest would routinely get up and play after we put him to bed, but since we always kept his door closed it wasn't a problem. We would just scoop him up from wherever he fell asleep and put him back to bed. Hope this helps!

L.

Hi B.,

My 22 1/2 month old boy was putting his leg over the crib rail for months before he actually started climbing out. If fact, he just started three days ago, so I am sort of in question like you are. I personally would not want to use a crib tent because I think that would just frustrate him and he would find a way to tear it up anyway. I really don't have any advice for you, I just wanted to let you know that I am going through the same thing. However, I would wait until she actually climbs out to take action unless you are just really worried about her hurting herself. If you get any good responses, feel free to send them my way. Thanks, N.

Personally, I would opt for the toddler bed. She needs to begin making that transition--I would try to pinpoint why she is getting out of bed in the first place and address that issue instead of trying to confine her more. If she climbs out of a toddler bed she is closer to the floor and less likely to get hurt. If may take a few nights of her getting up, and you taking her back to her bed, but in the long run she will get it. Good luck.

K.

I would suggest a safty tent. My son was sleeping through the night but after his naps would climb out of his crib. We switched him to a toddler bed and now in the middle of the night (I still can't figure out why he wakes up) he comes into our room.

Unless you are a fan of the family bed (I'm not) I would go with the tent. If I wasn't expecting another in September, I would put my son back into the cib w/a tent.

HTH,

W.

Hi B.. Is the mattress lowered all the way? I put my son in a toddler bed around the same age and just used a gate at the doorway so he is still in the safety of his own room. It has worked out great.