Switching from Crib to Bed

I think that a year in too young to be switching. I switched my son at 2 years because we had another on the way but more importantly he wasn't comfortable anymore. I would look for clues like stopping sleeping through the night. If the kid is ready it will make the transition that much easier.

I switched my daughter over a few months before her second birthday. The youngest age I've seen on toddler bed suggested ages was 18 mo. 12 mo. seems a bit young. I think at 12 mo. it would be really difficult for you both.
What really helped us both was getting down a schedule for her. dinner, bath, book. she knows when i say "the end" the lays her head down and snuggles with her bear. Some nights she climbs into or bed, but she's done really well with her big girl bed.
Oh, and we put a baby gate up at the doorway in the beginning to help get her to sleep. I think she falls asleep better with the door open so she knows we're around.

I switched my little one just a week before she was two. She liked to try to take naps on her sisters bed. I let her try a few times and then switched. I also put a few pillows on the floor in case she fell off the bed.

Hope this helps,
K.

I switched my son at about 14 months but my son has always been so tall. He's 3 and just over three feet tall if that gives you an idea. It took some work getting him to sleep in it but we got there. Do it whenever you and your daughter are comfortable with it.

I agree with the woman who said if the kiddo is sleeping through the night, don't mess with it! I moved my first daughter into her big girl bed at 2 mainly because I was pregnant and couldn't lay with her to read or just snuggle and I wanted to. My second daughter had her bed converted into a toddler bed at around 2 also, because I had to move the girls into the same room and I figured getting used to being in the same room and getting used to the new bed all at once would be only one event to get through. I guess it depends on your situation and your kid. I can't imagine my girls out of the crib at a year, either. Neither of mine really tried climbing out, I just felt that was a good time for them and an exciting 2 year old change! Good luck!

A crib is very safe and your child can stay there till she is 4 if she wants. As long as she isn't crawling out. But with one on the way, you may want to think of switching over...especially if you need the crib for the second one.
We put our daughter in her big girl bed at 18 months. Her brother was born when she was 16 months. He slept in the bassinet till he was 4 months.
To make the transition easier for her, we put the crib next to her bed. We let her know that if she wanted to sleep in the crib, that it was ok. But with the baby in the house, she wanted to feel like a big girl, so she moved over very easily.
There's really no hurry to move her. It's a choice more for you than her. It does get a little harder as they get older to move them (or so I've heard), but so is switching from the bottle, taking away binky and 100 other things that you "should" do when they reach 12 months.
Do what is most comfortable for you and her.
Our son just turned a year and like you, we really don't think he's ready for a bed.
Good luck. :)

L.,
We waited until our daughter was 16 months before we converted her crib to a toddler bed. At that point we noticed that she was able to climb on and off the couch with success, so we knew that she would be able to do the same thing with her bed which was lower than the couch. The key, I believe, is to make sure that they will be safe in the toddler bed; and if your crib can be converted, then take advantage of the fact that your daughter is used to sleeping on that matress and will still have 3 familiar surrounding "walls."

Always remember, if it does not work you can always go back to the crib for a little longer.

I got some grief for this by some family and friends, but my son was almost 3 yrs. before we put him in a toddler bed. Our Dr. said as long as he can't climb out and is happy to leave him alone. My son sleeps really well about 12 hrs and takes a 2-2 1/2 hr. nap I didn't want to mess that up. When he woke up he would lay in his crib and play, sing, anything to entertain himself. When he was ready to get out he would call for us! If we went to get him before then he was kind of grouchy! My son is also kind of short for his age so he couldn't climb out until right before we switched him to the bed. We really only moved him to the toddler bed when we did because we were having another baby and needed the crib. The transition to the toddler bed went very well and we were pleasantly surprised that he stayed in it. We were really afraid we would have the Super Nanny episodes where we were going to have to keep putting him back in bed! My advice to you is wait till a few months before your second is born and then get her a "Big Girl" bed. We got a race car bed and re-did his room in Cars. If you don't want to get a themed bed, let her pick out the special bedding and make a big deal about it. My son was older so we made a huge deal about him being a big brother and how special it was that he had a big boy room. Good luck and follow your instincts! You know what's best for your daughter better than anyone ever will and you have do what you think is best!

A little about me: I'm a SAHM of 2 wonderful boys (3yrs. and 5 weeks) I used to be a kindergarten teacher, but I love staying at home! I've been married to my wonderful husband for almost 6 yrs.

Hi, we had our first and second kids about 18 months apart. We lived in a 2 bedroom condo, we had our older daughter in the crib untill she was about 22 months old then started talking about putting her in the big girl bed so that her sister could move into the room with her, and that baby sister could have the crib. (Baby sister stayed in our room in the bassinet until she was about 5 months old), so we had her fully swiched over at 23 months, we started slow, like letting her have her naps in the big girl bed, then eventually she slept all night in it. We also put a bed rail on the bed. Good luck! We switched our 2nd daughter in to the big girl bed at about 19 months, by then we'd moved to a house and bought the girls new matching white beds for Christmas (they still share a room). Now we have a 1 year old son, I'm not sure when we'll take him out of the crib, but it'll probably be around 18-20 months old.

My kids are 22 mos. apart. We wanted our daughter to be out of the crib before the new baby came so we bought a bed for her and put it in her room with the crib. Then we let her pick out her favorite sheets for her new bed. When she got excited about her new bed, we bought a rail that fit nicely along the edge so she wouldn't fall out.

Then we asked her where the new baby should sleep and she offered her crib. It was great that it was her idea.

Our son was 2 when he finally went for the bed that was in his room. If it is their idea, it is much easier.

I moved my oldest to a bed when his chunky little legs kept getting stuck between the bed rails. He was about 1. Instead of a regular bed, I was able to get a bed shaped like a race car. It had sides around it, so it seemed more crib-like. However, he never got the idea about staying in bed. I had to put a gate at the door to keep him from wandering around. He would wake up at all hours of the night. At 12, he is still difficult to get to bed, he gets distracted with anything possible. However, my twins moved to a bed when their older brother was two and trying to help them out of the cribs. They learned to go straight to bed and stay in bed all night. At 10, they will remind me that it is bed time and go get in bed and go to sleep. Obviously, each kid is their own unique individual.

Hello L.,

I switched my first son to the toddler bed at the age of 18 months. It was when we actually moved to Arizona from the Bay Area in CA. We knew he was old enough and the Car Bed we have was easier to put together when we got here. He loved it. We switch our second son to the toddler bed at 2 years old. He also loves the same car bed his brother used. I would say you switch her to a bed when you are comfortable in doing so. My pediatrician was telling me to wait till he tries to climb out, but he never did. He would wake up and just play in his crib. We made the decision when he was just getting too heavy to lift out of the crib all the time. It has now been about 4 months of him in the toddler bed and he loves it, he will go up and lay down whenever he gets tired all by himself if he doesn't come get me first if I am doing stuff. He is really independent.

D.

I have a daughter who is about 28 months old and still in her crib, I also have a 14 month old in a crib. I personally think that 2 cribs is a good way to go because before now I know she has not been ready for a big bed. She climbs in by herself sometimes but there was only one time that she got out on her own and I think she fell and learned her lesson because she has never done it since. Although I know I will need to be switching her bed before too much longer, both because she has an interest in potty training and because our 3rd baby is due in August and will need the crib. Follow your daughters cues, if she starts climbing out of the crib it's a good point to consider it. Just don't rush her and you will be just fine.

Wait. Once you move them out of thier crib your mornings and nights will never be the same. I moved my two kids out when they were 2, but I think I'll keep my third in longer. Plus it makes them seem really big really fast.

Ok, I didn't read all the other responses, but HEAVENS TO MERGATROID!!! Keep your baby in there as long as possible. Unless you can't afford to or don't have room for two cribs. I was really lucky with my first; he never tried to climb out and we kept him in his crib until his 3rd birthday. My second started climbing out when she was 18 months but we managed to eek a few more months with the crib before transitioning her. It's sooo much harder when they're younger to get them to understand the concept of staying in bed. Good luck to you and your babies!

I actually never used a crib. I used a cradle until they were old enough to pull themselves up..maybe 6 months old, and then put them in a bed. I bought the little gate thing that slides under the side of the bed and prevents them from rolling over..but found that that was never really needed. They figure it out...and if you are afraid, put some pillows on the floor. It made my life so much easier.

The best decision I ever made (well maybe not ever), was to buy another crib when my second was on the way. My first was almost 2 at the time, but I still thought it was too young to be in a normal bed. I wanted to wait until he could understand consequences of not staying in bed. I waited until he was almost 3 to transition (I had baby #3 at that point) and it was sooo easy. We put up the bed. He said he wanted to sleep in it and that was that. I never even really needed consequences, but he was almost 3 and was able to reason at that point.
Make sure your second crib changes into a toddler bed and then you're not actually buying anything extra. You could buy a toddler bed, or buy the crib and then when she's ready, convert it. It's really worth doing in my opinion.

My 2 1/2 year old is still in the crib and I wish he could stay forever but he is getting way too big. He has never tried to get out because he always calls me when he wakes up and waits for me to go get him. I'm scared in the big bed that he will be up and down all night because he knows he can!
Good Luck!

My oldest daughter is still in her crib and she will be 3 next month. She just started climbing out of her crib but only when the side is lowered - she still stays in it when it is up. I would say that every child is different for when to move them and it depends on the parent and the child. To me, there is nothing wrong with a 3 yr old sleeping in a crib if she is happy in there and enjoys her bed. For that reason, we decided to buy another crib for the second. It was well worth it and we kept some sanity!! It's stressful enough having two close in age, I didn't want to make it harder by making it avaialable to the older child to be up and wondering, dealing with the dicipline of learning to stay in bed, when there was a brand new baby to adjust to as well! Good Luck in your decision. If your daughter likes her crib, then I would keep her in there as long as you can!

You do it when it seems right. My first never tried to climb out of her crib, but when she was about 15-16 months old she started telling us she was ready for bed. She would say "night night," drag us to her room, throw her doll in, hold her arms up, (we would then pick her up) and give us a hug and kiss and then lean out to her her bed. No fussing or crying. We knew it was time to look at switching to a toddler bed.

My son stood in his crib as long as I could keep him in there. I don't think we switch to a toddler bed until he was 3 years old. He was perfectly fine w/his crib. He did climb out of his crib before 3 but he only did that if we were in the room w/him. For some reason my son knew better not to that when Mommy & Daddy weren't around. lol

But I say keep the baby in there as long as you can! =)

IF I had it to do over again.... I would leave the toddler in the crib even if a baby was on the way.
My best friend said the best advice I ever gave was to keep 2 cribs in the house, and not to worry about transitioning too soon. It will make your life much easier.
If she starts crawling and climbing, you will know it's time.
Sounds like a fun adventure. Just wish I would have handled it differently!
toni

Someone said to me once... "a good time to move them to a bed is when they can help you make the bed!" It was not a joke, even though I laughed. I did actually see wisdom in that statement after I thought about it. At very early ages, children can learn and have responsibitlities. Responsible "things" should not be introduced until they are ready. A bed could be considered one of those "things" (if you are consious of wanting to teach in those meaningful ways--not every mom is interested in using certain learning tactics). If they are old enough to hand you a pillow or bring you their blanket, then THAT is probably a good time. I have a 13 mo old, and he is not ready either, but every kid is different. I personally am going to wait until my son can join in the responsibiltiy of having a "big bed"... even if he can only gather up his pillow for me--then he's ready and can be part of "his" responsibiltity. Good luck!

My son is 2 and is still sleeping in his crib. He has not tried to climb out yet so I guess I am lucky. I am waiting until he is around 2 1/2. I am not comfortable with him being able to get about of bed and roaming around his room just yet.

Curious to see what other moms have to say!

Jenn

ell for me i usually didnt trabsfer them to a bed until 2.5 -3 till they understood they needed to stay in their bed.it just made bedtime a lot less stressful for me and the child

We moved my first to a bed when she turned 2, and she would call out from her bed for me to come get her up for almost a year after that! (It was so funny. She still thought she was contained until one day I told her to get up herself, and she was amazed that she could!!!) My second and third children stayed in their cribs until they could climb out. Once they did, I moved them to a bed that very day. I just don't like the idea of them getting up in the middle of the night and getting into trouble while I sleep!

Hi L..

My son, who is now five, was around 18-20 months when I switched him. He was sleeping in a pack and play (because he hated his crib) and started climbing out of it in the morning. You dont want to switch them too early, which it sounds like you know already. :) I think if you just go with your gut you will know when your daughter is ready for a toddler bed.

We switched from a crib to a bed when they both started climbing out of their crib. My daughter was very tall, so we ended up getting her a bed when she was 1 1/2. Keep your daughter in her crib as long as you can! Once they are in a bed, they visit you more often :)

I don't know when most people do it, but we have a 2-year-old and aren't planning on moving him any time soon. He is simply not mature enough to handle it, and he is such an active sleeper that he would not be able physically to stay in a bed. I like having him contained and safe, as well - he is not big or mature enough to be wandering around the house unsupervised while we are sleeping, which is what would happen eventually if he was in a bed. I'm thinking maybe when he's three.

Hi-
My daughter wasn't ready until she was about 26 months. She's very active and very curious so we waited until she began to show signs that she was ready to transition--namely that she just couldn't settle down and get comfortable in the crib. As a result, she was very excited about her big girl bed and had no problems switching over to a new bed in a new room. She still uses a bed rail (so she doesn't fall out) and we put a gate across her door at night.
Good luck and best wishes!

I think I did not move them over until well after two years old. The twin beds are very large for small children and crib rails do make your life easier!
Goo dluck,
C. Willis
www.MyHomeCottageBiz.com

We waited as long as possible to switch to the big bed. It was usually around age 2 to 2 1/2 if we didn't need the crib right away. We figured once they were starting to potty train, then it's time to think about moving to a big bed. Hope this helps.

My daughter is 2 and 1/2 and is still in a crib. We are planning on switching her soon though as we have another one on the way. At her 2 year appointment I asked the doctor if I should move her to a bed and she said as long as she wasn't climbing out I should just leave her.

I'm proud to annouce my 17 month old slept in her own toddler bed, in her own room last night and slept through the night. She has always co-slept and this is a huge accomplishment for us. She never really slept in her crib and we decided to try a toddler bed so we could still lay down with her if necessary. Granted, it's not very comfortable, but it gives her some comfort. It's also close to the ground and has rails, so I'm not too worried about her falling out and hurting herself. We also wanted her to be able to crawl out and come to bed with us if she wanted.

Does your daugther sleep through the night? Because if she does I wouldn't mess with that. My oldest son I didn't move into a crib until he was 2 1/2 years old and I never had a issue. I have a 2 1/2 year old son now also and he doesn't want to move out of his crib. The longer you can wait, the less issues you are going to have. That's just my opinion.

For my daughter we switched her at about 16 months. The reason we switched her is because I was pregnant, and we would use the crib for her brother.

For my son we switched him at the same time. But his reasoning was different. He wouldn't sleep in his crib anymore, so I Decided to try the toddler bed, and it has worked out ever since

Our son never tried to get out of his crib...thank god! We switched him to a big boy bed at 19 months. I bought one at Walmart. Very cheap and it came with a table and two stools and a toy organizer and it was $75. Anyway, it is very very low to the ground and has bed guards towards the top. Well I was still a little nervous since his room is tile...so I put some mats on each side underneath the bed so it would stick out the side of the bed as well to make sure it was all covered. He has yet to fall out but, I feel better knowning they are there. We recently traveled and had to share a bed. Well we got two queens. I had our youngest son in one bed and my husband and oldest slept in the other and Connor the oldest fell out of the bed and he just got up and got back in bed. I think it freaked us out more then him. Our son was no way ready at 12 months. Hope this helps.