First time in big boy bed: pls share

HSartteach

So, we felt it was time to move L to his big boy bed even though the big boy room isn't finished.  He was able to get his leg over the top of the crib rail, and that was not a good thing.

We set up his new bed, which he is totally excited about, but not sure what to expect next.

We have the gate in front of his room, which I just heard him crash down.  I know this is going to be hard.

I would love to hear your stories about how the transition went--both good and not-so-good.

Taytee

As for busting the gate, be firm. You wouldn't let your kid run in traffic right? So even though it might be hard to discipline him about messing with the gate, you have to impress upon him that it is NOT OK to move it or touch it. You may also need a stronger gate or just do the reverse doorknob lock. Safety first.

mlf625

I think we had an unusually bad experience, so take that for what it is.  The crib to bed transition with DS was awful.  He started jumping out of his crib in early June, we moved him to a bed, and his sleep suckedass until September.  He'd skip naps, it would take 1-2 hours to get him to bed at night, wake up at 5am, etc.  In the crib he was a perfect sleeper - in bed at 7:30 for 11-12 hours, 2-3 hour naps every afternoon.  It was so stressful that I get anxious just thinking back to it, but I guess the good news is he did eventually get better.  It's still not perfect, he'll sometimes stand at his gate and yell for awhile, but it's way better than it used to be.

If you think he'd get the concept, I highly recommend the 'OK to Wake' clock.  It's available on Amazon.  That helped DS to understand that if he wanted to wake at the crack of dawn, he was on his own until a semi-decent hour.

Good luck!  

HSartteach

Taytee:

As for busting the gate, be firm. You wouldn't let your kid run in traffic right? So even though it might be hard to discipline him about messing with the gate, you have to impress upon him that it is NOT OK to move it or touch it. You may also need a stronger gate or just do the reverse doorknob lock. Safety first.

DH was firm about the gate.  We tightened the gate.  I just didn't have it tight enough for him not to knock it down.

 

HSartteach

mlf625:

I think we had an unusually bad experience, so take that for what it is.  The crib to bed transition with DS was awful.  He started jumping out of his crib in early June, we moved him to a bed, and his sleep suckedass until September.  He'd skip naps, it would take 1-2 hours to get him to bed at night, wake up at 5am, etc.  In the crib he was a perfect sleeper - in bed at 7:30 for 11-12 hours, 2-3 hour naps every afternoon.  It was so stressful that I get anxious just thinking back to it, but I guess the good news is he did eventually get better.  It's still not perfect, he'll sometimes stand at his gate and yell for awhile, but it's way better than it used to be.

If you think he'd get the concept, I highly recommend the 'OK to Wake' clock.  It's available on Amazon.  That helped DS to understand that if he wanted to wake at the crack of dawn, he was on his own until a semi-decent hour.

Good luck!  

Yeah, nap time today was sucky!  He was also a great sleeper in his crib.  It's nice to hear that someone else didn't have success on the first try.  As for the clock, not sure he's ready for that.

We'll have to see how night time goes.  ::fingers crossed ::

joyco

It was more glorious than I could have ever expected.  They (neither of them) have not even tried to get out of their beds without an ok from either Jay or I.  In the mornings, they sit up and chat with each other or play with the toys in their bed/read the books in their bed and when I/Jay come in, they know they can get out.  After naps, it's the same way.  It's pretty freaking awesome.  I'm shocked, to say the least.

I don't expect this awesomeness to last.

HSartteach

Wow Joyco...that is so awesome.  (and I am not being sarcastic.)  I wish L would do that.  Maybe he needs a twin...perhaps that the secret...

BLONDIE6FT

we set up the big bed, then left her crib in the room too. for about a week. there was NO room to do anything, but i read that might help. we let her hang out in the bed every once in awhile. after a week, we asked her if she wanted to take a nap and she said yes. then we asked her if she wanted to sleep there at night, so she did.  we had a few times where she gets up and walks to the door. we keep her door closed (are we the only ones? so no gate needed).  we pick her up and put her back in bed. she did it again. we pick her up and put her back. no chitchat. just matter of fact.  we also started taking her stuffed animals away if she got out of bed. just stuff to try! good luck!

HSartteach

BLONDIE6FT:

we set up the big bed, then left her crib in the room too. for about a week. there was NO room to do anything, but i read that might help. we let her hang out in the bed every once in awhile. after a week, we asked her if she wanted to take a nap and she said yes. then we asked her if she wanted to sleep there at night, so she did.  we had a few times where she gets up and walks to the door. we keep her door closed (are we the only ones? so no gate needed).  we pick her up and put her back in bed. she did it again. we pick her up and put her back. no chitchat. just matter of fact.  we also started taking her stuffed animals away if she got out of bed. just stuff to try! good luck!

We keep the door closed, but he can open it, so the gate is on the outside.  We've already dismantled the crib, so that's a no go.  Naptime was better today than yesterday, but still not a winner.  Bedtime was okay.  He could do better.  Thanks for all the suggestions.  I have started to remove things slowly--I have to do it all stealth-like otherwise he freaks out if he sees me taking something.