Transitioning Son to "Big Boy" Bed

IMO, he's too little to understand "staying in bed" and it's a whole new ballgame when they can just get up, leave their rooms and roam the house.
I heard this too late for me (but not for you!): Crib til 3 if they are not climbing out.

You can still change up the rocking/no rocking issue without a new bed (and endless freedom!)

One thing I would suggest is doing a really tight tuck-in. My son transitioned to a big boy bed (futon) a few weeks shy of 24 mos. (brought home a new baby, and he just decided he was a big boy -- no fight or anything, lucky us!). He never climbed out of bed, and one thing I did was tuck his whole body in pretty tight from the neck down.

My son was also sleeping really well, and then at 18-20 mos or so quit going to bed well. I read a book in his room, which kept him calm, but I didn't have to rock him. Might be worth a try.

Good luck:)

Both of ours were in toddler beds by the time they were 18 months.
He isn't too young to understand that bedtime means you go to sleep.
Put him in bed , read a story in bed, rub his back ,cuddle with him and say goodnight and leave the room. If you are worried about him roaming the house at night get a tall baby gate for his door so he can't come out.
You'll prob end up putting him back in bed a couple of times a night.
Try picking up "no cry sleep solution for toddlers" I didn't use this book but I have heard great things about it.

We moved out oldest son to a toddler bed at 22 months and he really was ready (plus his crib was recalled), it really only took a few nights of taking him back to his room. He sleeps like a champ still and he is now 4. The reason we didnt wait longer (besides the recalled crib) was b/c he potty trained early, 2 1/2 so the crib till 3 rule didnt work for us.

We've always used CIO, but the Weissbluth book basically teaches behavioral conditioning. Even if you choose not to let him cry, you can tie a cue to bedtime.
The book suggests putting an alam clock (low alarm, nothing loud or startling) in the room while you do stories. When the alarm goes off, tell him it's time for bed. After a few nights, he'll associate that with bedtime and it will hopefully reduce the fight.

I would not suggest the big boy bed unless you need to do it or know he's ready. We moved my son too early and the wealth of issues attached to it led us to having to do CIO serveral times. I *wish* I could've kept him in the crib.

Hello there. The cry-it-out method... well, you may have to start it, and then, you'll be rocking yourself along, but it will et easier. I would recommend cutting down gradually on the rocking time as your son is used to it. When you put him in his crib, sing to him, let him know it's night night time, time for sleep, and close his door & then you need to walk away for 5-10 minutes. Yep, I know, it's hard, but it IS time. Are older kids/toddlers ever completely asleep in your arms before they hit the bed? No. And between the ages of 16-24 months, toddlers begin a transition (again) of sleep cycles. They may have a longer attention span, and seem to take longer to get to bed, but I assure you, the longer you sit up with him, the more stimulating it is, and the more he will want to resist in order to be up with Mommy. I would stick to a routine - bath/book/cut down on rocking/then to bed/crib. He will become used to it. You are not a cruel parent. Your job is to help soothe & teach them also how to self soothe & learn how to sleep. Best wishes!

Start with a toddler bed, or if your crib transitions into a 3 sided toddler bed that works great too. Put up a bed rail either way - not because they'll get hurt, but because he's probably used to the security of the side being there. Teach him right away that he needs to stay in bed unless you come and get him. Otherwise his new found freedom will halt naps and make for a loooonnng bedtime of getting up and coming out. Teach him to call for you and have you come get him.
Tell him that the perk of his big boy bed is that he gets to go to sleep by himself. Get lots of loveys and music quietly. You'll have to do it gradually. Maybe start by sitting by him. Then a few days later, by the door. Then just outside the door - you get it.
You may not be a fan of hearing your babies cry - but imagine still having to rock your 5 year old to sleep. Learning to fall asleep is a skill you really want your children to have.
Best of luck.

I agree with Denise. Change the routine, not the bed. My older son stayed in his crib until 2 months before his 3rd bday (in January). We made a big deal about him giving his crib to his baby brother (due that May) and he "helped" put together his new big boy bed. At that age, he was better able to understand what was happening. My youngest is now 21 months old and I can't even imagine him having the freedom of a bed! I'd never sleep for fear of what he was getting into. Even though his room is safe, he can open drawers, pull out clothes. Oh, just the thought frightens me LOL. Good luck :o)

I had one boy who slept in a crib until age 3 and one boy who transitioned to a toddler bed at 18 months. Personally, I think putting him in a "big boy bed" will just make things more difficult right now unless he's given you other signs that he's ready to get out of his crib (ex--he can jump/climb out of the crib). In a bed, he can just get up out of bed and walk out of his room. I don't really like CIO either, but it looks like you've gotten some other good advice. I used Mary Sheedy Kurcinka's book, "Sleepless in America," as a resource for our sleep issues. Good luck.

Kids this age do not have fully developed "impulse control" yet.
Their emotions are not even fully developed yet.
They, at 21 months old, will not understand... perfectly... that they have to STAY in there.

Also at 2 years old, this is a common age where developmental sleep tweaks do happen. Anyway.

You could, have a chair in his room. Then sit there.... and read a magazine (with a book light)... while he is in his bed... winding-down. Read to him... keep things dark and calm. I have done that.

Kids this age, do not do well with abrupt.... expectations. They need to transition.... and takes time to fall asleep. No kid, instantly falls asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow.

My son was in his crib even when 3 years old. He LOVED his crib and slept well in it.
Then one day he told us he wanted to be in a bed. Then we did so. He was ready. And it was fine.

all the best,
Susan