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Talk to me about transition from crib to bed...

MNmama7112MNmama7112 member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
My son is almost 14 months. Our second baby is due at the end of March, so we know we want to transition him to a bed a few months before then to have him adjusted by the time the baby comes. So, we'll probably make the switch in January, when he's 18 months.

I'm really not sure what to expect, other than resistance! We'll try the mattress on the floor first, but I have a hard time believing he'll even stay on the mattress. I know I need to make sure there's nothing he can get into in his room, but other than that is it just kind of a free-for-all and he'll figure it out? Thanks for any advice!

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Re: Talk to me about transition from crib to bed...

  • Nel11Nel11 member
    Mine is just about 18 months now, and I have no plans to pull her from her crib unless she climbs out... but if I were to do it at this age, I would expect it to be pretty crazy, at least at first.  There is no way she would stay in bed, for starters.  I guess I would put the mattress on the floor and really, really thoroughly toddler-proof the room.  You might be in for a few rough nights, but I'm sure eventually things would settle down.  Honestly, the thought scares me a bit!  If all goes according to plan, mine will be about 27-28 months when the next one comes, and if she is still comfortable in her crib I will probably just buy another crib for the next one rather than switch her.  GL!
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  • chicsahmchicsahm member
    Unless he is trying to climb out why not get another crib? I am due in a few weeks and DS will almost be 21 months, he is nowhere near ready for a bed. Plus I feel with a new baby in the next room crying could wake him up and cause confusion for him and he would run out at the start... just more drama I don't need to deal with at the start of a new transition. We got a cheap crib from K Mart since we plan to use it short term, baby gets the crib in the nursery. I plan on keeping him in his crib until he tries to climb out.
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  • smileybabyboysmileybabyboy member
    I heard babies are ready for the transition when they start climbing out so our plan is also to wait til DS starts to do that.  
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  • cattyninecattynine member
    A good friend just transitioned her DD at 19 months and said it was so much easier than they expected. They put the mattress on the floor and tucked it into this alcove in the bedroom so that basically 3 sides were enclosed (obviously not an option in most rooms). They put a body pillow under the comforter so that she would roll up against it if she got close to the edge. 
    They laid her down for a nap and closed the door. They heard her jump out of bed and come to the door crying. They told her through the door to get back in bed. After about 30 seconds they heard her foot steps as she went back to the bed. Not another peep and she slept for 2 hours. They said she has been sleeping fine in the bed ever since.  Now they have a gate at the door so they can keep the door cracked for ventilation.
    I can't believe it myself. I don't think most people's transitions are that easy, but it was reassuring to hear that it went well for them. Our friends have another baby due in January and were given a crib from a friend so that they wouldn't have to have DD1 out of hers. But now they don't need the second one.
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  • cedentoncedenton member
    If I were in your shoes I'd probably just buy another crib. But, you may be surprised about if he can sleep on a mattress on the floor. DS rolls all around in his crib. In his new room at DC he sleeps on a cot. I was skeptical, but he's been taking 3 hour naps!!
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  • allardrallardr member
    Due do baby #2 we will transition LO around 20 months. So I totally understand the rationale. I will not buy a 2nd crib. I say just give it time. We'll do mattress on the floor and we'll let her get out of bed and explore if she desires, eventually she'll learn it's more comfy in bed than falling asleep on the floor. Obviously as you said major toddler proof and my eyes will probably be glued to the monitor. Good luck! Oh and I love the pool noodle idea too!
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  • SeldaarSeldaar member

    The advice we got from some friends was to make sure the bedroom door is shut. They would often find their son asleep in front of the door. So if it had been open, he would've been wandering the house.

    And DW and I are expecting #2 and #3 in January, and currently have no plans to transition DS to a real bed. His crib is a convertable one anyway, so we'll probably just buy two more of those.

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  • preggersin2011preggersin2011 member
    LO started sleeping on a cot at school for naps at 18 months. When i transitioned her at home i didn't have any issues. I took the side off of her crib and put one of those $25 bed rails there and it was fine. I would imagine that a regular bed with the rails would be the same- you dont necessarily need a box spring.
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