Toddlers: 24 Months+

WWYD - Crib to bed timing

 DS will be 3 at the end of the month. DS2 is due mid-Nov.

 I was in no rush to move DS out of his crib. He naps in there, and since I stopped nursing him that is largely how he falls asleep. He's left alone in his crib, and bored, so he naps. He still naps about 2-3 hours on a good day, but he also occasionally skips a nap. Climbing out's not been an issue, even though he's tall. His mattress is on the floor, but in the crib.

 He's heard us talk about using a twin size bed from my parent's house. He's been talking about changing his crib for that bed- because he knows he can easily get out of a bed to avoid a nap. He's been more and more resistant to naps, but I've still been able to talk him into napping. He actually falls asleep as late as 9 or 9:30 at night and wakes around 7 - 7:30. I still feel he benefits from the extra sleep from a nap. And, I really look forward to a chance to rest before DS2!!!

 Also, I can borrow a sturdy co-sleeper with plenty of room for it in the master bedroom. So, I do not need the crib right away for DS2. But, at the same time, I don't think that DS really cares now if he gives up "his" crib and sees baby using it.

 Thoughts? Also, DS is not yet potty trained. Although, he's making the timing of that just great as well. He on occasion has asked to use it (peed with success), and is showing more interest in his potty books, etc. So, I could see having more autonomy soon, in case he should happen to still be napping and need to run to the potty once he wakes up.
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Re: WWYD - Crib to bed timing

  • fredalina said:
    I'd move him, institute quiet time instead of nap time, and move his bedtime earlier.
    +1
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  • fredalina said:
    I'd move him, institute quiet time instead of nap time, and move his bedtime earlier.
    +1
    +2

    You can't keep him in a crib forever.  
  • I would leave him until everything is settled with the new baby.  DD was younger than your LO 2 1/4 when DS came, but it was great to put DD in her crib, know she would stay there, put DS in his swing and pretty much know I would get a nap every day.  Then when DS was sleeping through the night and I didn't rely on a nap during the day we moved DD.  This was back in June, so three months before her third birthday.  Even after we moved DD, DS stayed in our room for another month or so, I didn't want her to think DS was taking her crib.   
  • sschwege said:
    I would leave him until everything is settled with the new baby.  DD was younger than your LO 2 1/4 when DS came, but it was great to put DD in her crib, know she would stay there, put DS in his swing and pretty much know I would get a nap every day.  Then when DS was sleeping through the night and I didn't rely on a nap during the day we moved DD.  This was back in June, so three months before her third birthday.  Even after we moved DD, DS stayed in our room for another month or so, I didn't want her to think DS was taking her crib.   
    You definitely need to think of the timing of this a little.  You either need to do it immediately, so he has a month in his new bed to transisition, or you need to wait about two months after baby gets here to make him do any big changes.  My son also plays in bed sometimes too instead of napping, but he only stays awake if he has access to an interactive toy.  If it's something that doesn't make noise or have lights, then he's A-ok to fall asleep.  If he gets out of bed, so be it, just make sure everything is safe in there for him to wander.

    TTC since May 2006. After 3 failed Clomid cycles, 2 failed Injectibles/IUIs, 2 failed IVFs and 1 failed FET, we moved on to adoption! 

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  • I also agree with take him out of the crib and institute quiet time vs nap time. I am also due next month and DS will be 2.5. We moved him to a toddler bed over the summer and he did great. He never tried to climb out of his crib but we just felt it was time. We taught him not to get out of bed unless me or DH comes in to get him and he listens.
  • The crib-bed transition may be easier than you think. I was really worried since DS was still content in his crib (but was climbing out) but he still napped and slept like normal. He very rarely even tries to get out once he's in bed.
  • We moved DS to a toddler bed when he was 20 months old. He is now 23 months and DD is due next month. He loves having more room while he sleeps and sleeps from 7:30-7:30. He doesn't nap but he does quiet time everyday for at least 1-2 hours. He'll fall asleep about once a month.

    Your LO is provably ready for a normal bed and you should trust them a little more..it'll surprise you how easily children adapt to things :)
  • I agree with Fred. Move him now to give him time to adjust to the change. 
    DD1 4.14.10
    DD2 8.22.13
    MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
    Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18

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  • Another vote for move him and start quiet time. DD1 has been out of the crib since 23 months and we never had issues with having to repeatedly put her back in bed or her resisting naps until the last few months. She takes books, puzzles, and/or other quiet activities to bed with her at nap time and does great playing nicely. Some days she chooses to sleep, but either way I'm still getting a break/rest.

    And ditto whoever said you might be surprised how easily he adapts. DD2 was 20 months and climbing out of the crib, so we switched her for safety. She did great overall, very few days where I've had to take her back to bed more than once. I'm still amazed how easy the transition was for both of them.
    Mama to two sweet girls
    DD1 Feb 2010
    DD2 Sept 2011


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  • We moved DD1 a few months before DD2 was born.  I didn't want to deal with a newborn and bed transition or 2 kids transitioning to crib/bed.  It went well.
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  • The Friday after I posted this he woke up and the first thing he yelled out was that he wanted a bigger bed. We were busy Sat. withh household projects but brought a twin from my parent's house Sun. He was most excited about the dump truck pillow and talked about napping in his bed. (Ha!) He did nap that day after a looong outing and nighttime is no problem. Today's nap didn't happen until dinner time. It sounded like he stayed in his bed but whined for me almost the whole time. So, if naptime goes I will miss it (especially with a month before my due date), but it may have been time for that anyway. I will be very happy if quiet time actually becomes quiet over time. The only toys in his room are blocks, puzzles, books and stuffed animals.
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