Saying good-bye to the crib?

Kelly - posted on 05/24/2010

we moved my son to a toddler bed shortly after he turned 1. He started to climb out of the crib and I was afraid of him getting hurt so we moved him to the toddler bed. he had no problem what so ever with it. but i guess it really all depends on the child. if he isnt try to climb out of it or hasnt outgrown it just do it whenever you both are ready
good luck

Lynnea - posted on 05/19/2010

We moved our daughter to a toddler bed at 17 months. We made a big deal about it, letting her help put it together, and took her to pick out fabric for a new "big girl" comforter.

In hindsight I have to giggle to myself a tiny bit. While we were putting the bed together, she clung to her lovies for deal life and looked a little sad. And I wasn't sure why.

When I took her up for bed that night, I'd already made up her new bed with the big girl comforter, and put her old blanket and lovies in their same position from the crib. Daughter screamed out with glee! "My lovies! Mama, my lovies are not gone!"

She thought that getting rid of the crib meant that she had to give up her lovies too! She's slept in the bed with no problems since that night. I did put a full-length body pillow down beside the bed, incase the little rail wasn't enough to keep her in. We needed the pillow for the first week or so, but not since.

Good luck!

Tanya - posted on 05/06/2010

We moved Emilee at 2 yrs and she never asked for her crib or anything. I think it is different for each child. You have to do it when you and your child are ready.

Autumn - posted on 05/04/2010

I moved my daughter into a toddler bed at 27 mos. She couldn't climb out of her crib yet, but my parents bought her a new toddler bed for Christmas, so we decided to try it. She did great! I couldn't believe how easy it was! I know all kids are different, but it was a seamless transition for her. We do put a baby gate in her bedroom doorway though, because she has gotten out of bed twice, and we found her playing in the livingroom!! One tip I have heard from others is that you should put the toddler bed in exactly the same position in the room as the crib was, and your child's head should lay at the same end that they layed in the crib. This can help make the transition a little easier I think. Good luck!!

Jayne - posted on 04/15/2010

We converted the crib into a toddler bed at 2yo. He still sometimes asks for his baby bed but overall it went well. I will keep him in the toddler bed until he outgrows it.

Chelle - posted on 02/17/2010

I dont think there is really ever a right time, its up to you when you do it... My last child is still in her cot and thats the way i like it, because she is my last i want to keep her a baby as long as i can... :)

Michaela - posted on 02/13/2010

We moved our son at 19 months b/c we were having another baby and needed the crib. He did fine but some how rolled over the rail a couple of times on to the floor.

Brittany - posted on 02/12/2010

We're moving our 2 1/2 yr old into a full at the end of the month. She has been sleeping with us for the past 8 mos, since our son was born. She says she wants a 'big bed' and a 'big room.' She'll now have her own space once we move. You should consider a full-sized bed, since kids are less likely to outgrow it and there's a little extra room for a sleepover!

Michelle - posted on 02/03/2010

My daugher has been sleeping in her 'big girl bed' since she was 16 months old. The little 'gate' that went on the sides to prevent her from falling out of bed were removed at 18 months. She's never fallen out of bed. .. or if she has, the bed is low enough on the ground that she didn't hur herself.. and didn't complain if it did happen...



My nephew fell out of his crib at 18 months and broke his arm. That's why I put my daughter in a proper bed early.

Anita - posted on 02/03/2010

We moved our son to a big bed a few months ago but then he wasn't going to sleep - he wanted to get out and play. So what used to be an easy bed time turned into an hour of back and forth. He went back into the crib. Now he is just getting too big for it and he legs stick out when he sleeps so we are going to try again.

Michelle - posted on 02/03/2010

My daughter has been climbing out of her bed since she was a year and a half old she never hurts herself and loves the freedom. when u feel its time for your child to be in a bed put them in there, but with me i think its all in how they like it, she LOVES her crib!

Trista - posted on 02/03/2010

well we placed our daughter in a bed when she started to climb out of the cot. once you have discided, make the room like a cot so remove all things like toys (sorry), objects that they can hurt themselves on then get a gate for the bed room door then start the process of change.