toddler bed question

Jayfitzzy426 · July 2013

When do we make the transition from crib to toddler bed? My son is 14 months now, is it still too early?

FemShep · July 2013

We plan to leave LO in her crib for as long as we can (until she outgrows it or tries to climb out) and go right to a big girl bed.

Is there a reason you're anxious to move to a toddler bed?

orchid8301 · July 2013

LalaMama81:
Most people don't take them out of the crib until they start climbing out or until they are past 2.
Lots of people don't even use toddler beds, I didn't.

This may seem like a silly question, but how did you gain comfort that they would not fall out? I would prefer to skip the toddler bed when the time comes, but I think I would so nervous.

Jayfitzzy426 · July 2013

I'm not really anxious about putting him in one, I just thought it would help him gain a since of independence? Hes still in our room, sleeping in his crib and I thought that maybe switching him to a toddler bed, then eventually moving it to his room would help.

Jayfitzzy426 · July 2013

His crib is side cared with our bed... I know! Its bad! But its helped us wean him from cosleeping in our bed

JENandJEH · July 2013

DS1 was in his crib til 3y3m and then straight to a twin bed. He fell out once about a year after we moved him. Also, when we transitioned from crib to bed his naps went downhill and basically became nonexistent.

DS2 will be in a crib until he climbs our or is 3. He will also go straight to a twin bed even though our crib converts. I am a fan of making as few of transitions as possible and converting his crib is just one extra, unnecessary transition in my mind.

If you're scared of them falling off the bed, put a bed rail up or put a pool noodle under their sheet along the edges of the bed. Like LaLa said earlier though, kids fall all the time and it really isn't that big of a deal (unless of course their bed is super high and on tile floors or something I guess). Put some blankets/pillows on the floor and let them learn spatial boundaries in their bed. I wouldn't want my 16 month old to have the independence that comes with being out of the crib unless absolutely necessary. They have plenty of time to be big kids and gain independence but this is not a "milestone" I rush.

FemShep · July 2013

Why not keep him in the crib (for safety as well as consistency) and just move the crib? You can even do it gradually, a little further each day, if you don't want to bite the bullet and move him all at once.

Jayfitzzy426 · July 2013

So do you think 'tough love' is the best way to get him to sleep in his room?

Jayfitzzy426 · July 2013

FemShep:
Why not keep him in the crib for safety as well as consistency and just move the crib? nbsp;You can even do it gradually, a little further each day, if you don't want to bite the bullet and move him all at once.

ah!! This!!! Why didn't this ever pop into my mind?!
I think I have separation anxiety worse than my son. Haha. I'm sure he'll be fine, but I just can't stand it when he cries. His little face breaks my heart.

Mustardseed2007 · July 2013

our son is still in his bed at 18 months. We're going to stick with it for a while, though I'm not sure how long. Our son is short (3%, which is b/c my family is short) so I don't know how old he'd have to get before he started climbing out.

I really posted this so I could say that I LOVE that pic of your baby with the mustache (:o{ D

Jayfitzzy426 · July 2013

Mustardseed2007:
our son is still in his bed at 18 months. We're going to stick with it for a while, though I'm not sure how long. Our son is short 3, which is b/c my family is short so I don't know how old he'd have to get before he started climbing out. I really posted this so I could say that I LOVE that pic of your baby with the mustache D

thank you! Hes such a ham, especially when he had his mustache paci.:

shannm · July 2013

We skipped the toddler bed. DS went from the crib to a twin with foam bumpers around 2.5.

ChelsiAnn13 · July 2013

FemShep:
Why not keep him in the crib (for safety as well as consistency) and just move the crib? You can even do it gradually, a little further each day, if you don't want to bite the bullet and move him all at once.

I agree with this. Keeping him in his crib and moving him to a new room will be much easier. It will probably be a much easier transition for him then you think.

We will be keeping our DD in her crib as long as possible because I know my independent LO and she will realize she can get out of her bed and walk around.