Talk me through this (re: transition to big boy bed)

MrsT0514

So I need to know all the tips and tricks here. I'm dreading making this switch, but im due in January with baby #2 and we'd rather just get it done and over with now so we have only 1 non-sleeping child to deal with at that time instead of 2 (hopefully).

We got a queen size bed with a bedrail & blackout curtains for both windows in his new room (we are putting DS1 in the bigger room and when ds2 is ready, he'll go in DS1's old room where the crib is). We plan to put a baby gate on the doorway to prevent escapes. He'll have his white noise machine on like he normally does for nighttime sleeping and naps. If I need to, I'll lay next to.him.and rub his back until he falls asleep, but I'm afraid he won't even lay/settle down long enough to fall asleep!

I guess i feel extra guilty bc he loves his crib and sleeps so wonderfully in it. He's only 22mo and it doesn't seem like he quite grasps whats going on regarding the switch to a bed. We bring him in his new room all the time and explain to him that its his new big boy room and we lay on his new big boy bed and explain that its his and all that jazz, but he's got an expressive speech delay, so he isn't quite able to talk to us and clearly communicate his wants/needs with words yet.

Anytime we lay on his new bed, he gets all riled up and starts bouncing around like a mad man bc he thinks its time to play. How do I get the point across that his bed is for resting/sleeping and get him to stay in it (besides repetition)? Im afraid I'm going to turn my rock star sleeper into a sleep hater!

SpaceGirlSpiff

I'm in your same position.... Except that DS will be sharing a room with baby sister .... He's 3 and still happily sleeps in his crib and never tries to get out .... why must I mess with that

I guess technically I don't have to do it NOW because I doubt she'll be sleeping in there for awhile yet, but .... I feel like maybe it's smarter to get him transitioned now anyway before she's here?

MrsT0514

SpaceGirlSpiff said:

I'm in your same position.... Except that DS will be sharing a room with baby sister .... He's 3 and still happily sleeps in his crib and never tries to get out .... why must I mess with that

I guess technically I don't have to do it NOW because I doubt she'll be sleeping in there for awhile yet, but .... I feel like maybe it's smarter to get him transitioned now anyway before she's here?

We teetered with the same decision. We technically dont have to do it NOW, since the baby will be in the bassinet in our room for a few months, but we figired it's probably just easier to get it out of the way now. DS hasn't tried escaping the crib once yet...which makes it harder to make the switch. He loves his crib!

desertsun

Would it be possible to keep him in the same room? We just transitioned our 2.5 yr old to a full-size bed. We put it in his room with the same orientation his crib had and moved the crib to the opposite wall. 

The box springs and mattress are on the floor so he can easily climb up and down. 

I ordered his new comforter and sheets online, then had him help me unpack the box, put all the bedding in the washer and dryer, make the bed, etc. 

We also read the Elmo book "Big Enough for a Bed" for several weeks prior. 

We follow the same evening routine as always -- bath, lotion, pjs, bedtime music on, snuggles, sit by the bed for a couple minutes, then leave the room. 

We have had a couple nights where bedtime took longer than usual -- extra snuggles, sitting by the bed longer, walking him back and tucking him back in if he comes out of his room, etc. By and large, however, it has been a smooth transition. 

He does have a lovey/security object and I think his attachment to that has helped him transition.

Sorry so long. Wanted to provide plenty of detail in case anything might be helpful for you. 

Good luck!

tbmadeamistake

We moved my daughter into a new room and big girl bed (mattress on the floor) at 23 months when I was due with my son. We lucked out AMD she transitioned really easily. I had her help pick out new sheets for it ahead of time and we talked a out moving her. She didn't bat an eyelash. All of the furniture is safe, so I don't mind if she gets up when she's alone in there. She will often get up before she falls asleep and play or read for a bit, but always puts herself to sleep. I agree with pp about anchoring furniture and keeping the bedtime routine the same. I also try not to make it a battle of she gets out of bed. We did initially and it made it way worse. Now that we just let her be, she's happy to put herself to bed.

MrsT0514

@DC2London‌ Honestly, the entire reason we're transitioning now is bc I'm due with #2 in january. Even though the baby will be in a bassinet for a few months, it'd be a PITA to take the whole crib apart just to put it back together when we put the baby in there.

@desertsun keeping him on the same room isn't an option bc all of our bedrooms tiny as hell, and the room he is in right now isthe smallest of all, so its best to move him to the bigger bedroom with the queen bed.

Eta RE: anchoring stuff to the floors...MH and my brother are in there anchoring the dresser to the wall as we speak

MrsT0514

DC2London said:

Ohhh ok that makes sense.  Sorry, I missed that in the OP (reading fail).  I still think you could stick the crib mattress in the new room though (provided that there is space) to ease the transition a bit

Well crap...we probably could've/should've thought of doing that before we set up the queen bed and everything!! Lol. Ah well...wish us luck! I'm hoping its nbd.

desertsun

MrsT0514 said:

keeping him on the same room isn't an option bc all of our bedrooms tiny as hell, and the room he is in right now isthe smallest of all, so its best to move him to the bigger bedroom with the queen bed.  

In that case, if there is space to set up the bigger room as much like his current room as possible, I would try that. Maybe even put him in the crib in the bigger room for several weeks if that helps him adjust. 

Make his new bed a space where you cuddle and read stories. Have him pick out sheets and help make the bed. Maybe even get a new toy to put in the room and play with him in there. Anything you can do to make the room comfortable and appealing for him will help him feel more at ease about sleeping in a new room and in a new bed. 

HTH!

MrsT0514

@desertsun‌ thank you for the tips! That definitely helps! So far, it seems like he is excited about the room. He has a few toys that we put in there already so he'll run down the hall and go right in and play. If we're in there doing work on the room,he'll come in and play while we're in there, so thats good.

Unfortunately all of our rooms are really small, so moving his crib into that room Temporarily wouldn't be an option either (the queen bed is already set up in his new room). I guess maybe we'll try with reading a book, snuggling, amd then a nap in the bed first and go from there...hopefully it'll be a smooth transition since we're keeping his bedtime routine the same...just a differnt bed/room.