wwyd: second crib or transition DD?

MisN · June 2013

Do we buy another crib or try transitioning DD to a bed with rails? Here are the facts:

- DD1 is 25 months, sleeps well in her crib, has never attempted to climb out, and is adjusting well to her new sister

- DD2 is 4 weeks old and currently sleeping in a bassinet. I intend to move her to a crib by the time she is 12 weeks old.

- We are moving at the end of July but don't get our new house until trend end of August. We are staying at our cottage and with family during August.

So, do we transition DD1 to a toddler bed during the month of July or buy another crib?

aiche Umm Ayoub · June 2013

it basically depends on your child you could try a toddler bed let them pick out the sheets and small comforter and make it fun that's what I did with my daughter

nicholssquared · June 2013

I transitioned DS when he was 15 months and I was expecting specifically while we were moving. When we got to the new house, I just set up the toddler bed instead of the crib and it's like he never new any different because at the new house, that was his only option! Might be different because your child is older, they'll probably remember. In my experience, moving only assisted with the transition.

I would definitely try the toddler bed first. I had great success just child-proofing the room (make sure all the toys are away), doing the bedtime routine, saying goodnight and walking away. It was rough for about a week (DS kept getting out of the bed), but if he was out of bed and crying for about 20 minutes, I would walk in, pick him up and lay him back down without saying anything. After about a week, there was no more getting up. After two, he would fall asleep in the toddler bed within the first ten minutes unassisted.

If that doesn't work, you could always get a second crib, but it doesn't hurt to try first! Good luck, I hope it works out for you!

XCrissCrossX · June 2013

Is the crib you currently have a convertible crib that can become a toddler bed? If yes, I would buy the new baby a cheap crib and not mess with a good thing. If no, I would go ahead and get your daughter a toddler bed now because I wouldn't want to spend the money on a crib now and still need a toddler bed in 6 months. But if you're going to transition her, I would do it this week, well before the baby is going to be in the crib. I wouldn't want her to think "baby needs my crib so mommy evicted me"

BelhurstBride · June 2013

Does your crib convert into a toddler bed? I'd probably just switch it to a toddler bed now.

I would probably use the new house as a reason to just transition DD1 into a bed. Take her shopping and have her help you pick out supplies for her big girl room; let her be a part of the planning process. When you move I'd have her in her big girl room in whatever kind of bed you pick out. (twin, full, ect.)

I wouldn't move DD2 into the crib for another month or two after that, just so DD1 doesn't think she was booted from the crib because of DD2.

Leap08 · June 2013

We transitioned DD1 to a big girl bed when she was about 20 months in preparation for her sister being born. We didn't really have any trouble with the transition. I don't really think it makes any sense to buy a second crib.

logoz80 · June 2013

My 2 year old never tried to get out of her crib and we transitioned her anyway and she was fine. Does the crib convert? Try making the crib a toddler bed and see what happens, it's not usually too difficult to convert.

BeanNut · June 2013

I would buy a second crib that converts to a toddler bed so you know that you will get a couple year's use out of it. It's just so much easier when they are in a crib.

memali26 · June 2013

Normally I'd say skip the second crib. But with the changes you've got right now, I wouldn't move DD1 to a new bed until you're in your new house. Maybe do it right when you move so it's one big change all at once instead of several little ones. I still wouldn't buy a second crib, I'd keep DD2 in the bassinet or a pack and play until you are ready to move DD1, then a few weeks after she's out of the crib move DD2 into it. That is similar to what we did (DD1 moved by her own choice at 23 months, then we moved DD2 to the crib a month later at almost 6 months) and we had zero jealousy issues and an easy transition to toddler bed.

MisN · June 2013

Thanks ladies. Our current crib does convert to a toddler bed. I am leaning towards buying a inexpensive ikea crib but DH leans towards transitioning DD now. With so many changes going on I am inclined to let sleeping toddlers lie. Plus we could always use the second crib at the cottage down the road...

then again maybe it does makes sense to convert it to a toddler bed now and see how she does.

orangecurls · June 2013

I would transition to a twin [full, queen] or convertible crib. I wouldn't buy a toddler bed and mattress.

My almost 3 year old is still happily in a crib. I like keeping him contained, so I lean towards buying a cheap ikea crib and mattress.

JulySpark05 · June 2013

We transitioned DD1 from her crib to a full size bed when she was 23 months and it went amazingly!!! She never cried or tried to get out of bed or anything, it really was as if she had been sleeping in it forever. She had loved her crib before that so I was surprised it went so well. I say transition, I don't see the sense in buying another crib at her age.

ETA: She is now 3 years old and still doesn't try to get out of bed when she's not supposed to.

CutieBean79 · June 2013

We transitioned DD because we have a second baby on the way. She did fantastic. She loved her crib and she equally loves her big bed. You have to do it some time and we didn't want to buy another crib in the meantime.

Heather16578 · June 2013

Wow still in the crib?? Your lucky my DD wanted out of the crib and was climbing out at 10 months I had to move her to a PnP because I didnt trust her in a toddler bed. She was in that till 14months and then we converted her crib into the toddler bed setting and she loves it. This in now my dilemma as well with the new baby should I turn it back into a crib for baby #2 or just give DD and new bed Hmmm.

Im thinking just get a new crib for the new baby that way you dont have to deal with "Hey thats my bed" tantrums.

saturdaynightdoubletree · June 2013

We bought a second crib both times. Dd more or less dictated the switch to a big girl bed by flipping out for a week every time I tried to lay her in her crib. And she has never again been the easy to bed, sttn child that she was before. DS we didn't transition until a month or two ago when we changed his room around and he asked. The transition was seamless. I would recommend seeing if family or a friend has a crib you could barrow for a few months vs buying brand new, or looking into consignment or yard sale since it'll be a short term thing. GL!

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