We converted our crib into a toddler bed last night...could use some advice...

hmd

We thought maybe this would help with DS's sleep issues.  He will be 2 in April, and this fall, he started wanting us to rock him to sleep again.  He had been going to bed on his own.  CIO led to him throwing up, so we have given into the rocking.  We started to let him CIO on Sunday night, and he never threw up, but we eventually gave in to his screaming.  (We also took the rocking chair out of his room last night, thinking that if he didn't see it in there maybe he wouldn't want it.)

He seemed excited when DH took the side off the crib--he climbed right up in it.  I even got him to lay down with me and look at a book, but he would not go to sleep in it.  We ended up laying him down between us in our bed, and he was asleep in minutes.  Then we moved him to his bed. 

He did wake up once--he was crying mama at our door.  (We live in an old house, and he bedroom is right beside ours.  There isn't a hallway or anything.)  I told him that mama and daddy were in their bed, and that he needed to go lay down in his bed.  And he did.  Never heard from him again until morning. 

Any tips for easing the transition/improving his bedtime routine, etc?

KoriBrett

Honestly it sounds like you're doing fine.  But expect a few 3am visits ;-)

kylara111

I think with issues like that, I'd go back to the crib.  My DD is nearly 3 and we only just last weekend switched her over.  She isn't the best sleeper and I didn't want to add to the issues by transitioning her if the crib was working better (particularly by keeping her from getting up).

reynah

Oh man, I wish I could give some good advice but we have the same problem and have for some time now. Caleb has to fall asleep with us or he refuses to go in his bed. Please, let me know if you figure something out that works.

Reagan's Mommy

With R, we moved her to a bed in Oct.  We struggled for a few nights, but what we ended up doing was just putting a gate across her door and letting her CIO.  It was rough, but within a couple of days, she was going to bed like a pro.  It killed me, but we had no choice because she wouldn't fall asleep if she was in the same room with us (either her room or our bed).

 

KoriBrett

I really didn't see that you had to put him down in your bed first LOL

Well, it's the first night.  The fact that he only came out once, and went back when you told him to is GREAT.    DD was too excited the first couple nights too - we just kept at it and got there eventually.