Ready for a Toddler Bed?

McGuireMommy

My daughter will be 18 months on 5/28.  She has recently discovered that she can climb out of her crib.  Physically, she has been capable of this feat for a couple of months.  She doesn't go to bed awake very well; we mostly put her down sleeping.  Lately, that hasn't even been working.  What are your thoughts/experiences with switching to a toddler bed?

JamiesWife2010

We're still in a crib. I really need to get DS going down drowsy but awake before I even think about a toddler bed. But I think once they start to climb out of the crib, it becomes a safety issue.

gina2433

LO looks like he is trying to figure things out. When I go in at 7am he has his feet on the bumper. I'm waiting for the day until then no big boy bed yet!

mbgreenwalt

DD1 climbed out a few times at 18 months. We caught her once and found that she was using the bumper to boost herself over the side.  We removed the bumpers and was able to keep her in her crib until 21 months.

If you can't safely keep him in his crib then I would transition. DD1 easily transitioned and was fine in a toddler bed.  DD2 I plan to keep contained as long as possible, she is strong willed.

purple4u

I hope to keep my son in his crib til 2. If he climbs out before then I will switch. I don't anticipate it being too tough. He sleeps in a cot at daycare.

orangecurls

Fortunately my 18 month old is no where near figuring out how to climb out of his crib. We still use a sleep sack and that helps to keep from climbing.

mama&baby

Our pedi says that many parents try this transition too early and it ends with an unnecessarily messed up sleep cycle. He says (and we think we will go with this) that it is best to transition when your toddler consistently and successfully (aka- not just falling out of the crib) gets out. I would say if you are looking at getting out of the crib 4 times a week, it is time to transition to a toddler bed. GL I for one am not looking forward to doing this!

Chan4dra04

mbgreenwalt:

DD1 climbed out a few times at 18 months. We caught her once and found that she was using the bumper to boost herself over the side.  We removed the bumpers and was able to keep her in her crib until 21 months.

If you can't safely keep him in his crib then I would transition. DD1 easily transitioned and was fine in a toddler bed.  DD2 I plan to keep contained as long as possible, she is strong willed.

lol, this is my DD1.  I think as long as they are safe in their crib, might as well stay.  I think I'll be keeping DD1 in a crib until she's 6 if she'll let me. 

smilelari

I like the keep kids in cribs until they have the language skills needed to understand and follow bed time rules.  DS was almost 3.5 before we moved him.