XP: Moving to a big girl bed?

ShannonSky

With the new baby coming, DD's going to have to move to a big girl bed by September. We're planning on keeping the nursery as is and putting the baby in there, and moving DD to a new room. The new room is now the office, so it'll have to be totally redone, but I'd like to move DD over to it as soon as it's finished so she has room to adjust to that before the baby comes and "takes over" her room.

My guess is it'll probably be completed in April-June, which will make DD 19-21 months. So my question is twofold: 1) Does that seem like an OK range to put her in a big girl bed? and 2) That will give her 3-5 months to get used to the new room is that long enough?

TIA!

jensahokie

I am interested in the responses...we are wondering the same thing.  DD will transition to a full mattress after my mom leaves... she'll be around 21 months.  Unfortunately, we are overseas and don't have a lot of options, but I've heard some people say the sooner the better and others have told me to wait until she's 3!  As far as the new room, this isn't the same, but DD took 3-4 weeks both time she's moved "up" to the new room at daycare, so maybe it would be similar for bedrooms?  In that case, it sounds like that is enough time.

I'mAcrossThePond

I am in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp.

DS1 was 21 months when DS2 was born. They each have their own crib. I think DS1 would be fine in a "big boy bed," but he is completely happy in his crib. He doesn't try to climb out and will be patient and happy in the crib when he wakes up for the day and from naps. Some days he chooses not to nap, but he will always play quietly and happily in his crib for 1-2 hours during "nap time." -- I NEEEEEED this time each day. If he was able to get out of bed it would be awful! Haha.

Both boys have "life time" cribs, so I can change them to toddler beds and then full beds when the time is right. But with SOOOO many changes with the arrival of his little brother, I wanted as much of Alex's life to stay the same as possible. His room and his crib was an easy thing to "give" him during the crazy time.

raceyrae

I think you timing should be fine but as with all big changes, it will depend on your child and there definitely will be a transitional phase.

We moved DD#1 to her new room and big girl bed (twin bed) at 17 mo.  She did great.  It was only 1 month before DD#2 was born (but 4 mo. before DD#2 started sleeping in the nursery). 

seanswife

OK, I was in a similar situation when LO #2 was on his way so I'll tell you what we ended up doing.

FIrst of all, DD (who will be 2 1/2 in March) still sleeps in her crib.  I was hell-bent on transitioning her when the baby arrived but she was and is still perfectly happy in there.  I don't feel the need to move her until she is feeling ansy about it. 

We moved sort of in the middle of all this so the actual plan was for us to get new furniture for her for the new house and use her baby furniture for the new little guy.

In the end I decided that DD needed as much to stay the same in her life as possible because it was being upended enough as it was with a new baby coming and moving to a new area and new house, new room, etc.  So her furniture went into her new room and the baby got some Ikea stuff for his room.  The baby doesn't know any better and DD does so she would be more affected than anyone.

SO, long story short, I would leave your DD in her own room and crib so she has some sense of stability with all the change happening around her already.  Transform the office into a nursery (it doesn't have to be completely finished or anything - like I said the baby isn't going to know any better) and that way your DD can feel secure and your new baby will start off in his/her own room and feel secure in there also.  And never have to move.;)

 Sorry so long...just my 2 cents.;)

wesleysgirl1106

We moved DS to a big boy bed when he was about 20 months old. He did wonderfully. We had to get a rail for the convertible crib, because he fell out the first night, but less than a month, he LOVED sleeping in it. He loves climbing in all by himself and getting tucked in at night. I'm not sure that the new room thing will phase her, but we haven't moved DS, we're making the office the new nursery after we renovate the garage. So, sorry, no help with part 2.

handhmama

Good question I was wondering the same thing!