November 2016 Moms
mrs_hoyahoo
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BTDT: Crib to Bed Transition, Moving
mrs_hoyahoo
member
In two months we are moving to a new place where my 2.5 yo will get his big boy bunk bed. I'm trying to decide how to handle the transition. Ideally, I'd like to put him straight into the new bed when we move, so his crib can start being for the baby. It also feels like good timing - like he'll think, "oh, in this room, I sleep in this bed, not my crib" so he won't miss his crib as much.
If we do that, should I convert his crib to a toddler bed now so he starts getting used to the idea and learning not to fall? Should I just use a bed rail with the bunk bed at first so it feels more crib-like - or does that create problems later on?
I'm also concerned that new bed+new house+new school might be a lot of transition at one time. So I'm wondering if I should just let him continue sleeping in the crib for a while after we move and deal with the transition in another few months. He's still 100% happy in his crib and doesn't try to climb out, so it's tempting to leave him in there as long as possible.
I'm over-thinking this, I know. But that's what I do. Any other suggestions for helping a little one transition to a new home are welcome too!
ETA: wow, that turned into a small novel...thanks for reading
If we do that, should I convert his crib to a toddler bed now so he starts getting used to the idea and learning not to fall? Should I just use a bed rail with the bunk bed at first so it feels more crib-like - or does that create problems later on?
I'm also concerned that new bed+new house+new school might be a lot of transition at one time. So I'm wondering if I should just let him continue sleeping in the crib for a while after we move and deal with the transition in another few months. He's still 100% happy in his crib and doesn't try to climb out, so it's tempting to leave him in there as long as possible.
I'm over-thinking this, I know. But that's what I do. Any other suggestions for helping a little one transition to a new home are welcome too!
ETA: wow, that turned into a small novel...thanks for reading
Kid #1: Two years old
Kid #2: Due Date 11/16/16
Re: BTDT: Crib to Bed Transition, Moving
We just bought him a double bed with a rail and let him loose one night. He slept fully through. My husband and I were amazed that he actually seems to prefer having his own room, his own space. I thought for sure I was looking down a 6 month road of waking multiple times a night to sit in with him, but it's amazingly worked out. He will sometimes wake once and then I crawl in him for a bit (thus buying the double) but he is already 6 weeks later acting like this is his groove. He's 21 months now btw.
If I could suggest anything though, obviously the babycamera but make sure his room is decently babyproofed and you have him gated in (if that's your thing) because some nights my son will get up silently and there's no way I want him loose in the house without my knowing. I caught him sleepwalking in the hallway when I got up to pee once and that was the end of that. Another morning he woke me in my bed with a pie in his hand, wanting a bite of it. He had climbed the stove, pulled the pie down and brought it into my room.
So all kinds of hijinx will ensue once those bars come down. Good luck Mama!
I'm LOLing to the pie story though. I'm not sure how I would react waking up to that!
The one thing to figure out is how to manage them having a lot more freedom suddenly. HOW baby-proof is their room? Do you gate them in there or let them into the rest of the house? The biggest issues seemed to happen later -- popping out of bed to stall going to sleep for a while longer, or wandering the house.
We put a pillow on the floor under DD in case she fell out of bed at first. Once she got used to no longer cosleeping she did fine. It wasn't the bed, it was the lack of companionship that was hard for her.
Thanks @shevaCC - fingers are crossed the new bed is an easy transition for us!