Hi Everyone, I am looking for some suggestions to keep my twins in their cribs. They are 2 1/2 and last night they both started climbing out of their cribs and coming into our room. We spent over 2 hours putting them back in their cribs. My daughter got tired and gave in first and a little while later my son finally said he was ready for bed after I'd held him for a few minutes. I know we can put a lock on their door, but since I don't have beds for them yet (I need to get them ASAP), I don't want to lock them in their room because I'm not sure they would climb back in their cribs. They know how, but I'd like to avoid locking their door at least until they have beds (if at all). I know it will take us being consistent, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions and about how long it takes for them to stop getting out of bed? Thanks!
IF you really want to keep them in their cribs and not a bed, you can buy a net that fits over the crib. Its actually to protect them from cats but it will keep them in too.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2404625
Once they start climbing out of a crib it doesn't stop that just means that they're ready for a toddler bed instead and as far as keeping them in that consistency is the main thing and the time varies as all kids are different.
D.,
Consistency is going to be the key. Whether they stay in the cribs a little while longer or you get them beds. for safety sake, you may want to put the cribs in the lowest position and even leave the side bar down, to they are closer to the floor and would not risk falling and breaking a collar bone or arm or leg.
Then you may need to readjust your bed time routine. Bath, bedtime story and then as you are tucking them in tell them that they have to stay in their bed like a big girl and big boy. Then when they get out put them back. Don't let them get you upset, but just explain to them that they have to be big and stay in bed. Let them have a stuffed animal or favorite toy to keep with them...
Consistent- don't let them climb out at nap time either... same thing.
Hopefully they will be sleeping well and staying in bed- that way when you do switch over to a bed they will already be trained to stay put when it's bedtime.
D.
I would just go with putting their mattresses on the floor until the new beds come in. This is what we have done with our month old once she started trying to climb out of the crib. After a few nights she learned to sleep on her mattress without any problems.
Your twins may still get up and play during the night, but this may help them at least stay in their room.
I definitely would not lock my children in their rooms. That just seems cruel to me.
I had a horrible time with my b/b twins!! I was living in a transitional living place, and they wouldn't provide me with cribs for my twins, so the boys were prematurely put in regular size twin beds with toddler rails. I was pregnant with boy #3 at the time, too which made it even worse!
My main concern is, if they refuse to stay in a crib, I highly doubt they will stay put in a bed that is even easier to get out of.
Secondly, have you tried a baby gate? That is what I had to do for a really long time. I would be way too scared to leave my babes in a locked room.
The advice I have is to just be consistant with them. Whether you leave them in their cribs a little longer or switch them to toddler beds, this was my solution:
When they get out the 1st time, give them a hug/kiss and explain that it is bedtime and we have to lay in our beds, tuck them in and leave. The second time, tuck them in again and in less words tell them to go to sleep. Third time, tuck them in and just say 'good night'. 4 + times, place them in their bed and walk out without a word, kiss or hug. The less attention they get from it, the better because that is why they are doing it.
This worked so well for a very long time, but once we moved they completely reverted to their old behavior so they are back in cribs. They know better than to climb out of those b/c I ended up having to swat their thigh a few times. I can't have them teaching their 1 1/2 year old brother how to do it.
Sorry so long, I really hope you can take at least some of this and use it to help your situation!
We have been using a crib tent since my son was 14 months old and climbed out for the first time. We have this one:
http://www.securebaby.com/sbct02.html
and we love it. And that site has a great deal going - way more than we paid! My son loves the cozy feeling in his tent, and we feel like he is safe. He is 25 months old now, and we are not having to scramble to get him into a regular bed. That will happen soon enough, but for the moment, we are all content!
It's time for big kid beds.
As for staying in bed (or crib) be consistent. Take them quietly and calmly back to their beds. You don't even need to talk to them, just guide them back to their bed.
This brings back memories! I thought that life as I knew it was over when my now 19 year old hyper boy first climbed out of his crib AT AGE 7 MONTHS!!!! Actually, he would perch on the rail and jump! He stood at 6 months, and climbed at 7 months.
All you can do is make their room ultra-safe, and put a lock on the door so they can't get out at night without you knowing. Put their beds low enough that they don't wind up falling and getting hurt.
By the way, most children NEVER stop getting out of bed, once they figure out how to do it! ....until they're teenagers and then they become hard to get up!
