Where should DS2 sleep when the new baby gets here.....

GATORSnBRONCOSgoTEBOW

Right now we have our 17 month old DS in the crib. He will be turning 2 within days of this baby's arrival. We are trying to decide if we should move him to a twin bed or if we should leave him in the crib and buy a second crib for the new baby.

If we were to move DS to a twin bed he would get the bed that DD2 is in. Her bed is the top bunk of a wooden bunk bed set we bought the older kids a few years back. We LOVE the top bunk as a bed for a little kid because it is closed in on 3 sides so it's almost like an oversized toddler bed. We added a long bed rail on the open side for safety and have never had an issue of DDs falling out.

We would be ok with moving DD2 into the bottom bunk since she will be 3.5...we would just get her one of the bed rails that goes on both of the long sides to make sure she doesn't fall out when she is sleeping. We know DD2 would stay in her bed we are just not sure if we believe a newly 2 year old will stay put in bed if he has the option to climb out and play.

Thoughts?

Oh, and in case I wasn't clear...the bunk beds are not set up, they are 2 separate beds )

DragonflyBelle

We put DD #1 in a toddler bed at 2 1/2 just because she still moved around too much in the bed for us to be comfortable, but from night 1 we never had issues with her escaping.

tiannalee

My son started sleeping in a twin bed on the floor at 18 months.  He loved it.  He has rolled off a couple of times but we put blankets and pillows on the floor and the mattress is on the floor so it wasnt a big deal.  He doesnt roll off anymore.

WildcatPrincess

We're keeping DD in the crib and will get her a new bed eventually so the baby can have the crib. She was in our room 9 months, so if this one works out the same she'll be plenty old enough before LO #2 is moved into their own room. Worst case scenario the baby is in the PnP for awhile.

pensparade

I would put him in the bed. I moved DD to a toddler bed just short of 25 mo. old and she did amazing. Also, if you don't give him the option, he will just get used to it within a few days. The thing is it's all or nothing. 

At that age, I would NOT be buying a second crib! 

ETA: Remember your son might have more time to adjust b/c you might possibly use a bassinet or a cradle or something before going straight to a crib? (Maybe? I know not everyone does this but my DD was in a cradle for 3 mo. in our room before going to her crib in her own room)

jkfranklin

I'm keeping DS in his crib as long as possible. His crib converts to a toddler bed and then a twin bed so we will be buying a new convertible crib for this baby.

MarxieVonTrapp

My sister moved my nephew into a bed when my niece was born, and she moved into a bed at the age of 2.  Cribs are not cheap--I'd rather move the kid into a bed, which they can use for a very, very long time.

devious1031

I say just put him in the twin bed, that way less purchasing and less moving stuff around later on.

mamabear0813

I agree with moving him to a twin bed just before you deliver. That way it isn't like you're giving his crib away to the new baby (which he may resent and all that) but that he's getting a brand new bed just for himself. Everything I've read is that when it's made into a big event, they tend to love it! Like have a "big kid bed" party and let him pick out his bedding and all that. Make it very special for him and he should really love to sleep in it.

DS will be 20 months old when the new LO comes and we plan on having the LO in our room/bed for several months, so we will probably be moving him to his own bed, DOWNSTAIRS, around 24 months. I'm most nervous about him being on a different level than us for the first time. I don't know what I'll do. Maybe put a lock on his door to keep him in there until it's time to get up.