Transitioning 2 Year Old into Bed

Is there a reason you are going to transition? Just curious because if there is no reason-I would wait. We just did my daughter-this summer when she was 31/2 yrs old-mind you her convertible crib is huge so space was not an issue-I figured if she was happy and content in there why change?She never stood in her crib or tried to get out so we did not rush-and when we did transition there were no issues-even at naptime and the funny thing is she still waits for me at naptime and bedtime to come get her-if she wakes she just lays there and plays-I can see her on the video camera we have in there.So if there is no reason I would wait.I have a almost 3 yr old boy who is still in his crib and I am not looking anytime soon to convert it-prob when he is 31/2 as well. GOOD LUCK! L.

if he doesn't sleep, that's okay, but make "naptime" mandatory QUIET time. My daughter frequently takes 20-50 minutes to fall asleep, b/c she likes to read books in bed or whatnot... and if she wakes up early she has to stay in there and be quiet.
She is still in a crib though... I plan on doing the same thing as you with the crib--convert the front to toddler rail, in a couple months. I hope just telling her (and reminder her while putting her back in bed) will do the trick to keep her in there.

I ditto Laura below.

My son is 3. He sleeps on a bed at night, but at daytime, he naps in his crib. His crib is big and he still fits in there just fine. He will even go and climb into his crib himself to nap, all by himself, when he is tired. He likes his crib and says so.

It is also fine that it takes 20-30 minutes for a child to fall asleep. Why not? For me as an adult, it takes time to fall asleep too. I do NOT fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, either. So to me, that is not a problem that your son not fall asleep in 1 second. The MAIN thing is, is that he can fall asleep on his own, even if it is after 20-30 minutes. Nothing is wrong with that.
My son does that too... and until he actually falls asleep, he just amused himself and he has his lovey and some safe toys in his crib with him, and a sippy of water. I don't "remind" my son every second "nap now..." I just walk out, close the door and leave the room. I KNOW his pattern, I KNOW he WILL fall asleep in his own time. That is him. BUT, if I 'interrupt" HIS pattern and the way he falls asleep, then he will NOT nap. So I don't "interfere" in his cycle. He will actually tell me "Mommy go away, I nap now..." if I interrupt or check on him too much. So, there is a point to it all.

For times he can't nap, have a QUIET time. Which means, for us... no tv, no lights, no loud horsing around... just quiet things. Or, we just lay on pillows in the living room... and read. Which at that point, it ALSO winds-down the child.... to thus, "nap."

At this age, being he is not a 'baby' anymore... it takes time to nap. Have a pre-nap routine... about 1/2 hour BEFORE nap "time"... just make everything quiet, toned down, no hyper playing, no loud/hyper stimuli etc. That is what I do. My son KNOWS it like autopilot. And now, all i have to say is "nap time soon..." and he will, ALL BY HIMSELF, go downstairs and get into his routine. Lay down on pillows, read, watch "Little Bear" video etc. QUIET things. THEN, about 1/2 hour later, it is then NAP time.

I find a KEY thing is: do not "rush" nap time... in other words, don't say "nap now" and then put him in the crib that very second. Kids need to "transition" to it, then they will be more compliant. At least, that is the way it is for my kids. Anytime I "rushed" nap-time and scooped him up and put him into the crib like in 1 nano-second... THAT is when my son balks. So... I have a rhythm to it all. A nice relaxing rhythm, with verbal head's-up along the way. AND THE SAME pre-nap ROUTINE EACH AND EVERY SINGLE DAY. Always. That is key too. Not a willy-nilly unpredictable routine everyday. Just the SAME routine everyday. Same for bedtime.

Just some things that works for me and my son. And my daughter as well who would still take naps up until the 1st grade (but by this age she was NOT in a crib anymore, of course).

All the best,
Susan

Hi S.,

Do you need convert to a toddler bed?? He try to climb out??
My son this turn 3 in september and still on crib! He love there and never try to climb out. I'm no in rush at all, he fits there and is cozy for him!
Sometimes take him a little while to fall sleep at nap time too, but he naps between 1-1/2 even longer, but not past 3pm other wise bedtime will be hard! Now a bedtime sometimes he takes way too long, 1-1/2 to fall sleep or he fall sleep right way, we never know, but he still need his nap and ask for it! Make sure you have a routine for both! That really helps, I'm never skips nap time, we both need a quite time!
Good luck and hope whaterver you do works!
Keep us posted!