Connor will be almost 16 months when his little brother arrives. Right now we are planning on keeping the baby in the room with us for at least three months. My question is, do I try to get Connor to convert to a toddler bed at around 19 months, or do I suck it up and buy another crib?? They will be sharing a room for the time being so space is somewhat of an issue but we could fit two cribs in the room. Suggestions are welcome. TIA.
Re: Crib or toddler bed...
My girls are 18 months apart. I moved DD1 to a twin bed with a railing at 16 months and she had zero problems with the transition. I'm glad I went with a twin instead of a toddler bed because I don't have to buy her a new bed in a couple of years. I also didn't want to buy another crib so we jumped in with both feet. We got her bed when she was 14 months and put it in the nursery (DD2's room). She got to explore it and we talked about it being her big girl bed. Then when she was just shy of 16 months we moved the twin into her room and the crib into DD2's room. If necessary I knew I could move the crib back and have DD2 sleep in the pnp until necessary but we didn't need to. The only "problem" we have is if she gets herself uncovered she wakes and calls for me to help cover her back up. But that's not much of a problem.
ETA: She wasn't showing "signs" of beging ready for a twin bed. Meaning, she wasn't climbing out of the crib or even attempting to climb. I just made the decision and it worked.
Thanks!!!! And thank you for the insight on the twin bed. I'd so much rather get a bed then another crib!!
17 months apart and a 2nd crib was some of the best $$ we ever spent.
You can get a cheap one or even find a used one on craigslist.
It's nice knowing the toddler is contained while you're dealing with the baby - especially in the mornings. Once they're in a toddler bed they can conceivably be anywhere in the house at any time unless you are using gates or door locks to corral them.
My attitude was that I was going to try HARD not to force #1 to grow up any faster just because we had made the decision to have another one close in age. So for us it was more a question of: "Would we be pushing him to do this if we were not having another baby right now." When the answer was no we bought another crib.
Great investment. The first stayed in his until 28 months and the 2nd until 32 months. Both transitioned well to beds and we never really had any issues with either of them getting up and wandering around at night. I think part of that was because they understood the reason and logic behind needing to stay in their beds and their rooms. I don't think they would have understood the concept as well at younger ages.
GL with your decision!
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
DD was in a toddler bed at 17 months but she was used to not sleeping in a crib. We bedshared at night up until that point and used the crib for naps. At 13 months she was sleeping on a cot at daycare.
I moved her because she wasn't adjusted to the crib anyhow and I didn't want to buy another one. DD has never been a good sleeper but does better in the bed than she ever did in the crib.
I would try the toddler bed with your son once LO arrives. If he's having a really tough time with the transition than you can always go out and by another crib at that point. I hope if you go with the bed that you have an easy time with it!