crib situation for 2 under 2

july10bride04

I'm guessing this might be a popular topic on here, but I didn't see any recent posts.  I"m curious what other people did (or are doing) for the crib situation for 2 under 2. 

My DS will be 20 months when our next child is born.  I'm not really wanting to buy another crib, but I'm guessing that he won't be ready for a big boy bed that early.  So, I'm trying to think of possible situations for what to do.

 It's likely that we'll be moving to another state a few months after this one is born, so i was thinking of not making any changes to my DS1's sleeping situation until after he's born, and then when we move we can transition him to a big boy bed in the new house.  Then in the months before we move, the new baby can just sleep in the pack and play in another room. It sounds like it might be do-able maybe, but I'm also wondering if maybe moving houses and beds at the same time might be a bit too much for DS1.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Sam78

What about a bassinet for the 2nd until the 1st is ready for a regular bed?

july10bride04

I'd be using the bassinet on the pack and play for the 2nd until I move him over. 

pjoann78

We bought a convertible crib (the front, drop side just comes off) so I think when we get back from our short trip in two weeks, we may convert the crib and start getting DD used to that and then a few months down the road (after the holidays), we may move her into a new room with a big bed (on the floor, with side rails) and see how she does.  She'll be around 23 months when #2 is born so I don't want her to think she's losing her bed and room when the new baby comes.

shouldbeworkin

#2 was in  a PNP until she was 5 mos old.  We converted DS's crib to a toddler bed when he was 2 y/o (a couple months after she was born).   We moved when DD was 5 mos old and at that time DS got a bed and she got the crib.  It went really well.  We put DS's bed on the floor for a couple months and then put it on the frame and he's done great. 

MSUmommy

I'd use a bassinet for a while. We wound up borrowing a second crib since DD was only 14 months when DS was born. She went into a bed at 23 months.

I am moving DS to a bed in the next month and he'll be two on Tuesday,

 

Good luck!

HarrietNJMommy

It all depends on the personality of your kid. Some kids transition well, and some don't. 

I say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." 

We bought a second crib. I, personally, did not want a kid under the age of 2 being able to get out of bed and wandering around. I like the confinement of a crib. My friends that transitioned their kids before age 2 (because they didn't want to spend the money on a new crib) regretted it.

DD#1 was in a toddler bed at age 2 (she catapulted out). DD#2 is 2years3months, and she's still in a crib and I'm keeping her in there until she can get out or age 3, whichever comes first.

GL! 

LauraandMatt

We bought another convertible crib....DS's is convertible so it will be converted when he is ready to a toddler bed, but I am in NO rush for that!!

vtb2b806

I will be using a PnP for the first 4 months or so and then, when #1 is around 23 months, I'll move her to either a twin bed or a "floor bed" (mattress on the floor), whichever she is ready for.

LSUBride3

DD1 will be 14mos when DD2 is born.  DD1 was in the cosleeper for 6 mos, so assuming the same for DD2, DD will be 20 mos (when little one needs the crib) and hopefully ready for the toddler bed.  DH prefers this so we don't spend the money on another crib.  But, he's not the one getting them and himself ready in the AM.

I prefer to keep DD1 in a crib until she's climbing out-the more i can keep her contained the better. So, i say, if you can afford it, buy 2 cribs.  If you can't, use your bassinet/pnp, etc.

Nicole&Mike

We are using a co-sleeper for a couple months.  We will be moving about 2 months after baby is born so at that point we will set up a toddler bed and crib in the girls room and if DD #1 is interested in sleeping in the bed we will put her in it and when DD #2 is sleeping better she will go in the crib.  I would do a pack a play or bassinet and play it by ear.

 

We also have a friend that has a crib for us if we decide we need two.  But like I said you can do bassinet or something and if you decide you need another crib do it then. 

MattsWifey<3

we bought another crib.

dd has never slept in hers but i plan on getting her to sleep in it soon

jlw2505

I think your plan makes sense.  Can't help with the move stuff.  I moved my older DD into a twin bed at 18 months, 3 months before my other DD was born and it went great but with your move a short time later, I would wait and move your older son then

NewzieMom

We switched DS#1 to a toddler bed.  It worked out good.  We just put up a gate in the hall so the only place he could go if he woke up in the middle of the night was to our room.

brandifawn

We are moving in less than a month, so my plan is once we are there and settled we will move DS1 to his "big boy" bed, a twin mattress on the floor, we will add the frame and headboard and all later when I am sure he won't fall out of it.  He can already escape the crib when he wants to, but I have convinced him to stay in it to go to sleep and when he wakes I am quick to get him before he escapes on his own.

The baby will still be in a bassinet in our room for the first few months since I will be BFing, but I don't want DS1 to feel like he is losing his crib to the baby, so I want him switched and settled long before the baby arrives.

Dani123

HarrietNJMommy:

It all depends on the personality of your kid. Some kids transition well, and some don't. 

I say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." 

We bought a second crib. I, personally, did not want a kid under the age of 2 being able to get out of bed and wandering around. I like the confinement of a crib. My friends that transitioned their kids before age 2 (because they didn't want to spend the money on a new crib) regretted it.

DD#1 was in a toddler bed at age 2 (she catapulted out). DD#2 is 2years3months, and she's still in a crib and I'm keeping her in there until she can get out or age 3, whichever comes first.  GL! 

TOTALLY THIS!!!  DD#1 is still in her crib at 22 mos and until she climbs out Im not moving her..I just got another crib for DD#2 that converts also...They are cheap enough these days, you can get a nice one for $100 with GREAT reviews!   A new baby is a big enough adjustment- I decided to leave the BED SITUATION for another day

pocoabeja

My kids are 20 months apart. I put DS #1 in a toddler bed when he was 18 months and never had any problems. DS #2 and this new baby will be 22 months apart, and I plan on moving DS #2 to a toddler bed when he is around 18 months and then move DS #1 to a twin mattress on the floor. They will be sharing a room, so I'm sure it will take more adjusting to than with DS #1. I'd rather have them settled well before this new baby is born than to have to mess with it after.

scherza

Even if DS stays in the cosleeper till 5-6 months like his sister did, she'll only be 17 months old by that point.

I like the fact that I can put her down to nap or sleep in the crib and I'll know exactly where she is, and I'm not ready to give that up yet.  At the time that she starts trying to climb out of the crib, we'll convert it to a toddler bed and  put a gate up in front of her door.

We're going to buy the second crib (secondhand) tomorrow.

penguingrrl

We moved 6 weeks before DD2 was due so we switched DD1 to a twin bed to free up her crib then.  A few months before she had stopped sleeping in her crib so we had converted it to a toddler bed then, so she was used to the open bed before the move.  It went really well for us and she loves to tell people about her "big girl bed."  She stopped sleeping in a crib at 16 months.  After happily going to bed for a full year one night she started screaming her head off at bed time.  After three nights of fighting I took the front off and converted it and she got in happily, so she was just ready even though we weren't really!

Katiedid1806

When we bought DD's crib, we intentionally picked one that will convert to a full size bed later on. I did not think it a good idea (or even fair) to chance needing to move her out to a big girl bed before she is ready just to accomodate the next in line.

So, we will be buying Pumpkin a crib/bed of his or her own as well. We do have a crib that was used by a close friend (her DD is 2 years older than mine), so we could do that in a pinch. Maybe someone has one on consignment somewhere? Just be sure to check the CPSC site for recalls before buying.