My daughter is 18 months old and sleeps in her crib pretty well. She wears a blanket sleeper to stay warm and I only keep her "baby" (American Girl bitty baby) and a small Gerber waffle blanket in the crib with her. She doesn't have the blanket on her just next to her. She still sleeps all over the place and can end up in just about any position in her crib.
When did most of you make the transition to a regular or toddler bed and how did your child do initially? Did you start using a pillow and blanket while they were still in the crib or not until they were in the toddler bed. Did they like using a pillow and/or a blanket right away?
I gave my son a blanket around 18 mos and wished I had done so sooner. He sleeps beautifully with his blanket. I gave him a pillow at 2 yrs 3 mos and he really likes his pillow. I bought non-allergenic, baby/toddler pillows from one-step ahead and they're the perfect size for him.
He's still in his crib at 2.5 yrs and is quite content to be there. We'll probably make the switch to his full bed sometime between now and his 3rd birthday.
I've read the responses so far, and obviously everyone feels a little different. Every child is unique and it's one of those things that you, personally, have to feel is right for your child. My daughter is 10 months. I just (about 2 weeks ago) gave her my pillow from when I was a baby. It's just a small, thin pillow. She doesn't sleep on it very long before she's moving all over the crib, but she really loves it and I'll see her hugging it and when we go for long drive in the car, if I put it in her seat with her, she'll rest her head on it.
She's always had a blanket in her bed. She was born in June so at first just a light receiving blanket or a blanket sleeper. But, during winter, she had at least two on her. I've never seen a reason to not give her a blanket, they sleep better when they're warm. I just make sure she's covered before bed and she's learning to cover herself if she wakes up cold.
My son was 1 to 2 when he got his first pillow (a small, thin, firm pillow that I made him) and he loves it we used it off on and and continue to do so today but now he's using it more frequently (but now it's a big boy pillow) but my son always had a blanket or receiving blanket on him and he slept fine there were only a few times where he would move around but for the most part he sleeps where you put him and doesn't budge. He's almost 2 now (22months) and me and my husband have been talking about the pro's and con's about converting his bed to the next stage and haven't done so yet but are considering doing so in the near future.
I actually asked my pediatrician this exact question when my duaghter turned 3. She was not using a pillow yet, but had her blanket in her toddler bed with her (I moved her about about 18 mos. because the crib was falling apart.) My doctor said to wait on the pillow as long as they are not asking for it. I guess they can be very hard on their necks because the wiggle around to much at night and wong stay in the appropriate place. She is 3 1/2 and recentlly she started asking for a pillow like daddys (dont tell my hubby, but when he leaves for work I let her come into bed with me and sleep on "daddys bed".) I gave her a very thin one, and she thinks she is such a big girl. My 2 year old (26 mos) is still in a crib, but we are planning on transfering him this weekend. He keeps climbing out of the crib, and it just can't be safe. I would wait as long as you can for both things. Moving to a toddler bed is so exciting, you finally think she is getting to be such a big girl, but you wont think its so exciting when she is roaming around the house at 3 am because she got out of bed. Plus the first few nights in a toddler bed are really not somthing to look forward to!
I would keep her in her crib for now...until she grows out of it. AND she still sleeps well in it. So that is a plus. When she is older or after 2, you can see then and switch her out.
Each child is different. For my son, from about 16 months, I put a little pillow in his crib for him... he likes it. I don't put a blanket though, he doesn't like blankets. But, he does have some stuffed animals in there with him...my son is the type that really likes stuffed animals, and it helps him to sleep. Yes, they will move around a lot during sleep. No worries. This is normal. We can't expect them to go to sleep and wake up in the exact same position. Even we adults move around in sleep. My son just made 20 months, and he does that too...but he loves his crib and it's his way of sleeping.
As long as your girl still sleeps well in her crib, and does not climb or jump out (which some kids try to do), then she is fine there. Remember, that switching to a toddler bed will be another transition to deal with... they are no longer "confined" in a "crib" and with a bed, they WILL get out of bed on their own and wander around sometimes or not want to sleep. Head's up.
We switched my girl to a "big girl" bed when we felt she was ready and more mature....it was about a little over 2 years old. By then she was ready. Each child is different. Luckily for us, she did pretty much stay in her bed and didn't try to sneak out. But it was a transition... it takes time. Be ready for that.
Good luck,
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo
My daughter who is now almost 2/12 yrs is still in a crib(convertible one) and is still happy and content so am not even thinking of switching till maybe 3 yrs,I figure if she is happy and never tried to jump out then she is fine. I gave her a pillow and blanket at approx 18 months old. My sone who is almost 15 months has a blanket, but I do not cover him-I lay him on it and if he wants to cover himself which he does sometimes then he can do it on his own terms, but he does not have a pillow yet. If you give a pillow I would make sure it is a firmer one. Good Luck! L.
My wee one, is 16 months old, and has been using a pillow for quite some time. Of course, like all babies, you have to make sure she gets around very well... My baby is extremely large to begin with.. and at 16 months is 38 pounds and VERy tall.. (father is six foot ten, so that explains it) I felt comfortable with him having a pillow because he seems to sleep better with it. I got one from disneyland, that was Tigger, and is very soft.. it's also a bit flat so he can't suffocate on it. If your baby is sleeping well through the night, then don't worry about it... On the other hand, you know her best.. I put my first daughter (who was normal sized and VERY petite) Into a toddler bed when she was 2. She kept falling out of it.. and remember, when you transition, they don't stay IN it.. So go as long as you can, you'll miss the crib days!!! I plan to keep my larger baby in his crib as long as possible.. He's not even crawling out of it.. so he's content! Best of luck!
Hi! my daughter loved comfort from an early age! I gave her a regular size pillow at around 10 months. A blanket was from around 6 months. She hated her crib from the start, so I let her sleep in my bed until about 14 months! At 14 months I bought her a toddler bed and she uses it(thank God). But sometimes she still comes in my room at night and wants in my bed.I find that most toddlers sleep better when they're comfortable. Kinda like us;)
