Due in September, what to do with 18 month old

alijanepot

I am having baby #2 in September, my LO will be 18 months when #2 is born.  When can I move LO into a big boy bed or toddler bed?  Both boys will have their own rooms, but I am debating on buying another crib.  Any advice would be great.  Thanks.

brachysira

I surely don't know.  M will be 20 months when new LO is here.  She does great in her crib and I am in no hurry to move her.  We'll use the rock n play when new LO arrives.  If M is ready for a big girl bed, we'll move her to a twin a few weeks before we pass her crib to new LO.  If she does not seem ready, we'll get an inexpensive crib at IKEA and use it.  M's bed converts to a toddler bed, so she can stay in there during her toddler years and new LO can use the IKEA crib and we'll move everyone up in a few years.  I just think we'll play it by ear.  If I think it's only a few months until M might be ready for a twin but our new baby is strong and too big for the rock n play for very long, we might just use a pack n play for a bed for a few months.

jllmb79

It will most likely be easier for you if your 18 month old is still in a crib when #2 comes along. Mine were 21 months apart and having 2 cribs was well worth it. DD#1 is almost 3 and still chooses to sleep in her crib.

jnnfrrose6

Same as PP here.  DS will be 22 months when this one comes and we're keeping him in his crib.  We just purchased a basic crib for this LO (the description from BRU was actually "Basic Crib), which was surprisingly more difficult to find than you'd expect.  Everything out there is convertible and all that stuff.  DS does so well in his crib and I figure the move to a new room plus the addition of a new baby is enough change for one time.

mb314

I know my almost 20 month old isn't ready for a toddler bed yet, but every kid is different.  You could keep the new baby in a rock-n-play, co-sleeper, or pack in play for the first several months, allowing your DS1 more time to mature and be ready for a toddler bed. 

DS will be over 2 when our new LO comes, and I'm not sure by then if we'll have transitioned him to a toddler bed or not.  It doesn't matter in our case, bc the new baby will sleep in a co-sleeper and then a smaller cradle that we have. 

greyt00

My kids had the same age difference and I didn't want to get another crib.  DS2 was in the co-sleeper in our room for 7 months and then in the PNP upstairs in his room for another 3 months.  Finally couldn't stand him not having a nice bed anymore (he was sleeping fine) and gave him DS1's crib.  DS1 was ready for a bed and it worked out OK.  I think DS1 was 28 months / DS2 10 months when we made the transition.  

jennygirlmt

DD was 28 months when DD2 arrived. We moved her into a big bed at 26 months. We only did bc the guest bed was in the new nursery and we didn't have space for two cribs and a bed. It was terrible for at least 2 months. Lots of laying with dd1 for hours while she would fall asleep, shenanigans, etc. that said I've had friends whose two year olds crawled in, said night night and that was the big bed transition (jealous!). But dd1 was a terrible sleeper until 16 months so it was expected.

Dd2 is now almost 18 months and has only been Sttn for about a month. There is no way I could put her in a bed. She'd crawl out, fall out, not sleep, etc. But you know your kid.

If you have the space (ie no double bed hogging up a room) I'd suggest borrowing a crib or buying a cheapy from walmart/ikea (then resell or donate). Do your little ones go into a crib right away? Mine stay in my room for the first 6 months. So that's an option too, to delay the need for two cribs. I didn't want dd1 to think she was displaced from the crib thus didn't want to switch it after dd2 was out of our room. Bad decision.

Going back I wish I hadn't messed with a good thing with dd1. Good luck!

ashiscute

My LOs are 19.5 mos apart.  I did not want to move DD into a toddler bed if she wasn't ready for it.  And I didn't love the idea of her being able to get out of bed with a newborn.  So, we bought a second crib for like $100 at Babies R Us.  It was well worth it because DD ended up staying in her crib till after she turned 3.  

I wouldn't force it if your LO isn't ready.  There is enough change going and taking their bed to give to the baby could be too much.  Or your kid could adapt easily and couldn't care less.  

aimeepigott

I am due in July. DS moved to a full size bed at 15 mos. we put bed rails up and he has done very well. He has not tried to climb out. When he wakes up he yells for us to come and get him. Use your mommy judgement. I had many question our decision and he loves his big boy bed! Good luck!

avee10

my little guy will be 20mos old when the baby is born in November and I have no plans on moving him to a toddler bed anytime soon.  I plan on keeping him contained in his crib as long as I possibly can!

Jbunny100

Mine will be 19 months apart. I plan on having the new LO in a bassinet for the first 3-4 months. I hope DS will stay in his crib because it does make it easier and put me at ease knowing he is safer than just moving around his room.  I am happy to read in PPs that you can find non-convertible cribs. I hate the idea of spending a fortune to get another convertible crib when I don't want to have 2 of them.

fitmom82

DD was 18 months when she started jumping out of the crib so we moved her to a bed.  DS is 23 months and we just moved him because he wouldn't stay in the crib.  I also know people who have had kids 3 or 4 still in cribs.  It really depends on your child.  Are they adventurous and daring enough to jump out or are they content sleeping in the crib?

ThatWasAHoot

Mine are 20 months apart.  We converted DSs bed into a toddler bed, so we needed 2 cribs.  But we ended up converting it when he turned 2 because we wanted to potty train him and get it out of the way.  He never climbed out or anything, though.  It might make LO feel like they're being thrown out of their bed if you do it too close to baby's arrival, though.