Transitioning to a toddler bed

gymnast16 · October 2012

When if any did you transition your toddler to a toddler bed. My daughter is almost 2 and I just found out I am pregnant again and will need to make the switch before the new baby comes. I was thinking when she turns 2 but am now second guessing myself.

jmjb2008 · October 2012

She turned 2 in March and we started in May. She went with us to buy the bed and picked out Dora blankets, so she had more interest in it all. Good luck! It's a lot harder now that she can get out of the bed instead of be stuck in the crib lol

LouRN09 · October 2012

We made the switch at age 2 as well, for the same reason as you. I wanted DS to have plenty of time to adjust to his new "big boy" room and bed before the new baby came and took over his crib. I was terrified that it would be an awful transition but he has done fantastic!!! LOVES his big boy room and bed and shows it off to everyone who comes over. We went straight to a twin size bed and didnt use the box spring at first so that it was still low to the ground. We also got inflatable bed rails from One Step Ahead which are great!! Knock on wood, but once we tuck him in, he stays in bed and hasnt once tried to get out. I had fears of him staying up all night playing in his room!

kimberlyk921 · October 2012

We transitioned DS a little bit after turning 2. My mom had a twin bed that was barely used in one of her spare rooms and she was getting rid of it and asked if we would want it. I didn't want to pass it up so we just put it in DS' room and were planning to use it as a "couch" until he was ready to move over. After the 2nd night of it being set up I randomly just asked him if he would want to sleep in the big boy bed or in his crib and he picked the bed. DH and I were pretty shocked but he never went back in the crib, it was surprisingly a very easy transition for him and us! We left the crib set up for about a week just to be sure he was okay in the bed and then we took it down and he said "bye bye" to the crib. He sleeps better in his twin bed than he did in the crib, wakes less often and even sleeps longer. I know it's not the same for everyone but we lucked out with this one.

snicksnack · October 2012

Don't think you have to do it before the baby. DD was two in Feb. I had DS in June and we moved her in Sept. She was not ready in June and I was not in any shape to chase a toddler if she decided to not stay in the bed. The first night she went back to her old room and tried to climb back in the crib, the second night she tried this again and I said no laid her down in the bed and read her a story while she cried. I asked her if she wanted her old bed and she said "no turn off the lights and close the door". She has been fine ever sense. DS is still in our room and the other day she said he could have her crib since he is a baby. We are going to move him in next couple of weeks.

PSU Export · October 2012

From what I've read they say you LO should ask for a big bed. I think 2 is way too early, unless you want to deal with lots of getting in/out for naps and during the night. I would hold off until 2.5 or 3 if possible. Thy day even if they can climb out to leave them in a crib til then. Good luck with whatever you decide.

lisa5ny · October 2012

We transitioned just before DD turned 2.5 and she did really well. I agree with a previous post that mentions not really needing to transition until after your new baby arrives. DS was born in may and we transitioned DD into a bed in August. She loved her new bed and never looked back. She was just ready. But if we had tried doing it back in feb or march she would NOT have been ready.

When your ready, take all toys out of their bedroom. If LO wakes up and wants to play there will be nothing for them to do. We keep DD's door closed so she can't wander around The house at night if she gets out of bed. We have a video monitor that can pan the room if she wakes up and moves about her room so we can see what she's up to.

avy930 · October 2012

We just moved DD this past week. She just turned 2 as well and we are expecting baby #2 in Feb. I expected to have to do some sleep training now that she could get up and move around her room if she wanted but she has done great! She's gone to bed every night with no issues and when she wakes up in the mornings, she still stays in bed until I come and get her even though she knows she can get out. The first couple nap times took a little longer for her to go to sleep but we haven't had an issue of her getting out of bed and playing.

Good luck! Hopefully it will go better than you expect!

gymnast16 · October 2012

Thanks everyone! After reading everything and taking it all in I think I will wait until March when we move into our new house. We live with my parents right now and all her toys are in her room so I think it would be a BIG struggle if we tried in December when she turns 2.

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