We switched DS1 to a twin out of his crib and will do the same with DS2. We felt no need to add an extra transition in there when you can just switch to the twin and be done.
Im so glad I looked at this! My husband and I have been debating what to do about the transition, I like the idea of a box spring and mattress on the floor with a guard rail! I'll have to run that by the hubs
I voted twin bed. We transitioned DS1 to twin bed (wall 1 side, guardrail the other) at 2 years 4 months because I wanted the crib for DS2. He had already been in the co-sleeper for 7 months and PNP for 3 before he got the crib. We will probably try to convert the crib to a toddler bed for DS2 when he is ready. I'll put off buying a new bed if possible. It's money I can procrastinate on spending. If the crib didn't convert, I'd go straight to twin, though. I don't see the reason to spend money on a toddler bed.
We have cribs that convert to toddler beds. It was a good transition with DD to a toddler bed, but we will eventually end up buying a twin bed for her. So, it's probably a better investment to get a twin bed.
DD does get out of bed occasionally. Mostly at naptime she will get out to play in her room, or bedtime she has gone through phases where she needs a drink of water or whatever. In the morning she will come into our room when she wakes up. She's usually pretty good about it- as good as you can expect a 2 1/2 year old to be.
for those of you who have transitioned out of a crib, do your kids get up and walk around the room or come out of their room at night?
Has that led to any dangers or problems?
Sometimes DD will. She gets out of her bed and looks out the window since it's not totally dark when she goes to bed. Once she sprayed an entire bottle of detangler out all over herself (this stuff is now kept locked up when she's asleep). Every once in awhile she'll wonder into our room or her brother's room at night. Once I went up to bed and she was laying in my bed playing on my kindle which was on my nightstand. Most of the time though she just goes to sleep.
DS1 got up and left his room at all hours of the night for a few months. After inadvertently reinforcing some bad behavior, we started doing the right thing and he understands now he should stay in bed. He's not perfect, but things are much better.
I dread this with DS2 when he gets a bed. If his personality stays how it's been so far, I think he will be easier, though. We also know what traps not to fall into. I hope to keep him in the crib until he is at least 2.5 years old or close to 3!
Re: Toddler Bed vs Twin Bed
We have cribs that convert to toddler beds. It was a good transition with DD to a toddler bed, but we will eventually end up buying a twin bed for her. So, it's probably a better investment to get a twin bed.
DD does get out of bed occasionally. Mostly at naptime she will get out to play in her room, or bedtime she has gone through phases where she needs a drink of water or whatever. In the morning she will come into our room when she wakes up. She's usually pretty good about it- as good as you can expect a 2 1/2 year old to be.
Emily 8.8.08
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