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July 2011 Moms
toddler bed transition - advice needed please!
I don't post on here very often, but I need some advice!
We are expecting our second in early may and have decided to get a toddler bed for LO who is 18 months. I put it together yesterday and she was really excited to sit/lay in it. I was optomistic that when it came to bedtime the transition would go smoothly. Unfortunately, this was not reality. We did our typical bedtime routine and when it came to laying down in bed and me leaving her room she started screaming. I tried to sit in her new bed with her for a bit but all she did was crawl out of it and go stand in front of her crib (which is going to be used for the new baby, they will have to share rooms). I tried leaving her room for a little bit but she continued to scream and cry. Eventually we ended up just letting her go back to her crib. She cried at first again but went to sleep eventually and slept normally.
Did I totally mess up by letting her go back into her crib? Is she just not ready, should I just give it a little while and try again? Does anyone have any advice as to how to make this transistion easier?
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Re: toddler bed transition - advice needed please!
Originally, I wasn't going to transition her to a toddler bed until closer to 2 or when she started climbing out, but I really didn't want to buy another crib. My mom watches her once a week so that my husband and I can have a date night, she has a toddler bed over there that she goes to sleep in just fine, so I thought it wouldn't be that new to her. Also, I was worried that once the new baby came that she would resent the baby because then it would "steal" her bed. We do plan on keeping the baby in a rock n play sleeper in our room until he is 3-6 months old and then moving him into the crib.
I don't know, I probably am WAY over thinking this.
Just thought I'd see if there was any advice for me, thank you for any input.
My friend is in this situation and her pedi told them to take down the crib and store it. Annoying, yes. But this way, your LO won't see it as the new baby "stealing" the crib. When the crib comes back out, it will be the baby's crib. If you can keep the baby in your room for a bit to make the time even longer, then great!
My friend is also having her boys share a room.
I do think she's a bit little but it can be done.
The first night is going to be rough for sure. If you really want to do it NOW, keep taking her back to bed repeatedly until she gets. They'll be lots of screaming and crying but it'll be over fast. Maybe take the crib out for awhile too until just before the baby arrives. With my toddler out of sight out of mind works wonders.
Otherwise, she's still so little and you have like 5 months yet. Just let her play on her bed, get used to it etc. In another month start naps in the bed. The month after that bedtime. Slow and steady usually works best. Make it fun and she'll catch on. Toddlers are also fickle creatures. In another two weeks she may not want a thing to do with her crib and love the bed. You have the time, so let her decide.
That was exactly the same thought I had. Take the crib out and let her get used to her big girl bed without seeing the old crib. Then when you bring the crib back she will be used to her new big girl bed and see it as a "baby's" bed.
ETA: My DD is no longer in her crib. I don't think she is too young. We took the side rail off DD crib about a 6-8 weeks ago. I will admit, it was a hard transition. We actually put the rail back on for about a week, which made it worse, but now she loves her bed. I know she is tried when she gets her blankey and climbs in bed and starts nuzzling her doggy and blankey in her bed. It's very cute!
If you are adamant about switching I'd take the crib out of the room so your child isn't tempted by it.. Good luck...
We transitioned to a toddler bed very early. DD was in a toddler bed at 11 months. I was terrified that she was going to climb out of her crib. We had to take the crib down. Like PP said, out of sight out of mind.
DH and I took turns lying with her each night in the toddler bed until she went to sleep. Then week by week we got further away from her when we put her to bed and eventually left the room.
She is now almost 18 months (she will be 18 months on the 5th) and all I have to do is put her in bed, cover her up, and turn on her dream light and lullabies. She is usually out in 15-30 minutes on her own. If she is overly tired she sometimes cries, but not for long.
It is do-able. Good luck!!
I completely agree.
Your pediatrician is pretty smart. I love this idea.
Thank you all for your comments!!
It turned out I was prematurely freaking out
We decided not to push the issue since we have the time, but last night she jumped into her toddler bed and that was it. No crying, no fussing or anything. She slept normally too!
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