any suggestions on moving my almost 2 year old to a twin bed soon. new baby will be here in feb.

Kathryn - posted on 01/23/2010

Every child is different. Yes it is suggested to leave your child in a crib till they're 3 BUT that's for children who have not learned to try to climb out of their crib as well. My daughter is almost 2 and I had to get her a toddler bed when she turned 1. My suggestion is if your child is showing signs of not wanting a bottle anymore, make a transition to a sippy cup and the same goes for beds. Amazingly enough children will undoubtedly let you know when they're ready to make transitions.

Stacy - posted on 01/14/2010

My daughter will be 2 on February 6th, she has been sleeping in her toddler bed since September. We made the transition when she was consistently waking up around 2 am and not wanting to sleep in her crib. It was the best thing we ever did. Given we have had an occasional night where I have to walk her back to her bed and tuck her in but all in all I am glad and very proud that she is in a toddler bed. I firmly believe that you need to rely on your personal feelings and also the cues from your child. I do not believe in forcing them to stay in a crib until they are three, each child is different and yes each child will have different preferences and different sleep patterns.

Cheryl - posted on 01/12/2010

Not only did we move our son into a big boy bed at 22 months but put he and our 3 year old daughter in the same room. We had 2-3 difficult evenings but 2 weeks later and they're both doing great. No pillow and double-sided bed guards are recommended but, my feeling is, the earlier the better.

Tana - posted on 01/12/2010

I agree with Teresa. I moved both of my girls to toddler beds when they were around 17-18 months. My oldest will be 4 in Feb and my youngest 2 in Feb. They both sleep wonderfully. It does take some transition time and you have to set boundaries. She will adjust and do great. Good luck with baby #2!!

Abby - posted on 01/11/2010

we moved our daughter at about 15 months and she did awesome. she was always a good sleeper. my main concern was not knowing what she was doing when we closed the door. what we did for the transition was actually take off her door and put up a baby gate in her door way. that way we could peek in on her and see how she was doing without disturbing her while she was sleeping. they say that if you change them real close to when the baby is due they might feel like they are being replaced. maybe if you broke down her crib and didn't build it for a while and kept the baby in a bassinet for as long as you can to help her forget about it. i'd try it and as soon as possible. just make sure you go through and check all the baby proofing of her room again. if it don't work put her back in her crib and try again in a few months.

Jennifer - posted on 01/11/2010

My oldest son climbed out of his crib at 18 months and I panicked. We put him in a twin matress on the floor, but then we faced the problem of an 18 month old loose in the house. We had to buy baby gates, rework the sleeping issue, and child proof ares of our house for nighttime wandering. If I had it to do over again I would buy a tent for the crib to contain him and keep him safe. (About $80) Whatever you decide will end up fine though. You run the risk of "taking" her bed and giving it to the new baby, which she may not like much. If money is an issue and you don't want to buy a second crib, use the pack n play for the new baby until the older one can go to a bed. Remember this phase will soon pass and it will be one you will miss. (I promiss.)

Tamara - posted on 01/11/2010

well i would move her to a todler bed with lots of coussins on the floor if you are worried and make sure she is asleep before leaving her room, everybody falls down when sleeping in a new bed we all need time to get used, my son is sleeping in his room, since he was born, no lights on, in his own bed - crib, don't worry they know how to manage they are much more clever then you think. good luck

Dorothy - posted on 01/09/2010

I would do it sooner than later if you plan to use the crib for the new baby because your daughter will be upset if you give another baby her bed (territory). It is a hard transition, but I would do it before the new baby arrives.

Kathy - posted on 01/09/2010

My child has been in a toddler bed since she was 17 months old.Every child is different,but if yours is climbing out of the crib,then shes trying to tell you something.Use your own judgement and you will know when the time is right.

Tiffany - posted on 01/07/2010

Wow, you mamas are brave lol. My dd didnt start sleeping all night until I stopped nusing her at 15 months. I was thinking of moving her to a "big girl" bed b/c we had baby #2 coming in Nov but the more research I did it said not to move them until they begin climbing out of it or are about 3 yrs of age. She wasnt 3 and she wasnt trying to get out so we left her. I honestly think she'd have an all night party in her room if she was in a bed she could get out of so easily lol. Other than that I dont think she'll have an adjustment problem. Whatever you decide, I'm sure will be the best decision. With the baby coming in Feb I'd either do it now or wait until she adjust to the new baby. =)

Julie - posted on 01/06/2010

Do you have the mattress down as far as it can go? My first 2 are 17 months apart and when the 2nd was born we put our 17 month old in a toddler bed that was very low to the ground and put a guard rail on the side that wasn't against the wall.

Jessica - posted on 01/05/2010

i moved my almost 2 year old to a toddler bed before his sister was born. it worked well and he can get up when he wants without hurting himself. i didnt try a twin bed, it just seems too big. a toddler bed is the perfect size.

Alicia - posted on 01/05/2010

We put our one and a half year old in a toddler bed around the time she was 13 or 14 months, just shortly after she was a year. she knew how to climb out of the crib even when it was at the lowest spot. We, the first week laid with her for about 5 minutes and eventually she was fine with it. She was only scared for the first two nights or so. With my oldest i moved her to a toddler bed about the same time and my middle was around 2 years old. If they aren't ready then waite, but it all depends on the child. Mine were way easy!!!

Kristy - posted on 01/05/2010

my son has been sleeping in his toddler bed since he was 18 months because he hated his crib and refused to sleep in it so he ended up sleeping with us, but once we gave him his own bed (I think he might be claustrophobic because he also refused to sleep in his bed with the guard rail - we had to take that off too), he doesn't even want to sleep in our bed anymore. we just put a baby gate in front of his bedroom door at night and all is good.

Jamie - posted on 01/05/2010

My son climbs out of his crib and his playpins we put him in so we put him in a toddler bed, he still gets out every once in a awhile but it is safer then him climbing out of the other two and hurting himself...all kids are different. Trust your own judgment.

Mindi - posted on 01/05/2010

Jackie, I love you! Christine, while all kids are different I somehow think the kids having problems are pulling feelings from the parents. We moved in July and my daughter went from sharing a room with her older brother to having her own room. It was then I converted her crib to the toddler bed. Almost every night I had to go in and pick her up off the floor and put her back in bed but I think she was putting herself there as I never heard her fall or cry. Now at 20 mo, she naps, sleeps and plays in her room. When it's bed time I tell her to go get in bed and she climbs up there and gets her pj's on and I close the door and thats it. My oldest daughter was like 10 mo when I put her in a toddler bed. If you WANT to do it, everything will be fine. If the child feels your doubts it won't be good. Good luck and be strong!

Amanda - posted on 01/05/2010

we moved our son into his first bed in November when he was 21 months old as we needed the cot for our 7 month old son. We got him a toddler bed and a side guard but unfortunately the guard was not compatible with the bed. However we havent had any problems with him sleeping in his new big boy bed and he will quite happily go to bed. I would recommend however a stairgate on her bedroom door to even when she gets out of bed she is still safely confined to her room Also ensure any furniture is strap to the walls. Good luck

Sarah - posted on 01/05/2010

We had no problems whatsoever switching my daughter from her crib to her big girl bed. We already had a Queen bed and so I pushed it up against a wall, bought an extra tall, extra long bed rail and made a huge hype over her big girl room while we decorated and everything. I thought it would be best at first to try nap times in there because I figured if she missed a nap it wasn't going to kill me. She was out of bed several times and when she got out of bed, all I did was put her right back in (I tell people I "supernannied" it). Bedtime was absolutely no problem whatsoever, she never has gotten out of bed at night.

I put a toddler knob on her doorknob so I can keep the door shut and the monitor is on so I can hear her if she needs me. She's been in her big girl bed since about 18 months or so. I'm expecting and due in a couple of weeks so I wanted her to be completely transitioned out of the crib before the baby came. She can however go back to the crib when family is in town and we never have any problems with her going back to her bed when they leave.

Good luck!

Emma - posted on 01/04/2010

my eldest is now 3 1/2 she went in a cotbed since 12mths and went in fine, had my son when she was 18mths, so my son had a cot and my daughter had a cotbed at about 12mths again my son was climbing out and bumping his head so for safety i used my daughters cotbed for my son and decorated his 'new big boys room', then gave my daughter a new room and a single divan bed at 2 1/2, my son now almost 23mths sleeps great in his cotbed i just put a safety gate on the door incase he wakes through night. good luck x

Michelle - posted on 01/04/2010

I put my son in a twin bed with borders at 18 months old cause he was too long for the crib and he liked it. We have already established good sleeping patterns and I like it that he gets up with his older sister in the morning and play with toys until I get up and he is almost two now. He really hasn't gotten up during the night and hasn't fallen out of bed. Just do and and see what happens everyone is different

Jamie - posted on 01/04/2010

yeah I agree don't do it I moved my daughter when she was 2 also..she'll be turning 3 in a few days and still won't fall asleep without me. My son is turning 2 feb.16th he is already climbing out of his crib..it takes a few times putting him back in at nights but thats ok because I made that mistake early once but not gonna happen this time!!!

Brenda - posted on 01/04/2010

I think that it it time to retire the crib and look for a toddler be..You don't want your two year trying to climb out of a crib that is so high off of the ground. Start looking for one...He is startig to get older now...Upgrade his bed too..Good Luck..

Sam - posted on 01/04/2010

Go ahead and do it. I moved my then 20 month old to a double bunk bed 2 months ago as we were expecting bub #3 in November and I wanted her settled into a bed before the bub came. She is in the double bed on the bottom with a safety rail fitted and her 4yr old sister is in the bed above. It took only one night of her jumping in and out of the bed, but now she does wonderfully. For that first night I sat beside her in the room just continually putting her back into the bed (without talking to her) until she fell asleep soon after. I also initially still put her down for her day nap in her cot, but now she is in her bed and doing really well. Good Luck.

Steph - posted on 01/04/2010

We moved to Germany last August and I didn't want to bring our crib along (it's a solid oak piece made by my dad) for fear of being damaged or lost. We decided to put Isabelle on a twin bed without frame. We are using side rails and without the frame, if she does fall, it's not far. Plus, we put the foam floor mat things around it for extra padding. We also did this with my oldest daughter when she was about 18 months (my older two are 15 months apart) and I've never had any problems with sleeping thru the night. If you're worried about roaming at night and don't feel comfortable with the door closed, you could use a baby gate to block in her doorway.

Susan - posted on 01/03/2010

We had the same issue and bought a toddler bed. When we put her in it though she cried like crazy and hasn't tried to climb out since! LOL! We are lucky to have an extra bedroom for the toddler bed though. You can also just put her crib mattress on the floor. Congratulations on your new boy!!!!

Tiffany - posted on 01/03/2010

I just put my 22 almost 23-month daughter in a toddler bed two days ago, and so far so good! Sleeps well at nap time and sleeps through the night in her "new BIG girl bed! I say try to see if she is ready herself!

Christina - posted on 01/03/2010

My daughter was put in her toddler bed at around 1 year of age and has had no real problems. I would say do it soon rather than later especially since you have a new arrival coming soon as well as her trying to climb out of her crib.

Jackie - posted on 01/03/2010

Christine, my daughter did the exact same thing, she is 2 in Feb & litterally climbed out of her cot. Don't know how but she managed quite fine. She got a toddler bed for xmas & some days are a pain but you are the adlut & eventually if they're in a big bed they'll fall asleep. Under no circumstances do I let our daughter in our bed, luckily she hasn't climbed in our bed & if she does she'll go straight back to her own bed. If you decide to put her in a bed, just be patient (mother's middle name) & perservere with her. She's learning to. Better to be safe than sorry. Otherwise just remove one side of her cot so she can get in & out.

Ruth - posted on 01/02/2010

We have just moved our little boy (2 in Feb) into a "Big Boy Bed", as we have number 5 due in April and he was getting a little to big for his cot. As he has older sisters he has been interested in them for a while now. We don't have the legs on the bed, just base and mattress so there isn't far to fall. We have put some padding round the bed just incase, but he is up against a wall and is doing really well. He's been in it for about 3 weeks.
If your child is starting to climb out the yes do change them over, but make it a fun thing to be doing. If possible have the bed set up so they can play on it for a day or two before hand, and if you can put them in there for a day sleep first so they don't freak out before night.
Really hope this helps. Bless you on your new arrival soon

Kristy - posted on 01/02/2010

Hi! My son is also 22 months and has been in a big boy bed since he was 13 months old. ( he could climb out not just get a leg over) it's a little tricky to "keep" them in bed but shouldn't be long. Make sure your bed has rails and practice at nap. He will be a BIG boy in no time!

Stacie - posted on 01/02/2010

hi there i put my oldest daughter into a bed (well her cot turned into a bed )a slowly did it by taking one side off at a time over a week and she loved. We would read stories to her in her bed like we did when she was in a cot, and she never fell out once. I think it really helped that it was still her bed that she has always slept in just without the bars, might have been a different story if it was a completly new bed. She was nearly 2 1/2 yrs. i will be doing the same for my younger daughter has she coming up two next month and got number 3 coming along in july so this will be very interesting

Nyasha - posted on 12/31/2009

I'm still sleeping with my 22months old son in my bed. he refuses to sleep in his crib. i let him sleep in my bed then move him into his crib after he has fallen asleep but as soon as he is up he comes to my bed. i really dont knoe what to do.

Dena - posted on 12/30/2009

My son climbed out of his crib ( it was on the lowest level) at about 13 mths !! He is 22 mths now...after he did this twice, I was scared he would fall and hurt himself, so we removed the side and made it into a toddler bed...no side rail would work because its a convertable crib...he has not fallen out, but if he did it is only a ft or so off the ground and he would be ok I think ! we are having another baby in July, and will have to move my son to the lower level of our split level home, hopeing he does ok with this !!

Rebecca - posted on 12/30/2009

i moved my son into a junior bed at 14 months because he climbed out of his cot, he's been sleeping through all night since he was .5months old. if she is not sleeping through it would be a good idea to move him as he might start to get into a proper routine and if she's almost climbing out anyway it would be alot safer, in reply to christina all babies are different and most will sleep very well in a propper bed and as for being 3.5 and still sleeping in with you i would nio that in the bud asap. don't listen to horror stories and give the bed a try you can buy bed gaurds and the beds are very low so if she was to get to the bottom of the bed i can't see her getting hurt

Georgia - posted on 12/30/2009

Let us now how it goes because I'm thinking of putting my daughter in a twin bed also!!

Katie - posted on 12/30/2009

I am in almost the same exact situation. We also have baby #2 due in February, and when we moved in August we decided rather than setting up the crib we would put our daughter into a twin bed, so that we wouldn't have to deal with her being jealous of the baby taking her bed. It's gone pretty well. She will often get out of bed before she gets to sleep, but then get back into her bed once she is ready to sleep, usually within about half an hour (unless I put her down too early, but then it's my fault). We also put some dark curtains in her room because that helps her know that it is time to sleep, not time to play (she's always slept better in the dark). The twin bed is just on the floor with no bed frame so it is low enough that she can climb on and off by herself without falling. She has fallen off the bed in her sleep only four or five times in 5 months, and has always gone right back to sleep after.

However, no one can tell what is right for your son. If you think he's ready and he might do okay, it wouldn't hurt to try it. If you're pretty sure he wouldn't do well, then wait. You could also just take the side off the crib and put it in its lowest position. If you are planning to use the crib for new baby then I would do the transition ASAP so he doesn't feel so much like the new baby is stealing his bed.

Gina - posted on 12/29/2009

We actually transitioned our daughter around 15 months as she had already made a number of leaping attempts. It went really well. We just went to a toddler bed and put her same blankets in it...and even folded up her crib bumper so it was still partially around her. I'm a nerd so I did a bunch of research, and found there were really two ways to go -- a crib tent that will keep them in and safe -- or just to transition to a toddler bed. It felt to us that she was ready, and we'd be holding her back just for the sake of holding off change, so we moved forward. We do the same sleep routine and put her in bed. Since we have always closed her door for nap and bedtime, we still do. The best suggestion I read was to treat the room like the crib, so that's what we did. She had to stay in her room, but we didn't force her into bed. She could get in and out as she pleased. After about two weeks of occasionally sleeping on the floor or occasionally in the bed, she decided she was more comfy in bed, and that's where she stays now. No problem!

Jessica - posted on 12/29/2009

My daughter was 16 months when we moved her to her dream castle convertible bed by step 2. She loves the bed. We did have a couple problems in the beginning but now she is a pro. The first night she slept perfect in her bed. Now the second a different story. She got out pounding on the door...so we put her back in the crib. We called her peditrician and she said to put a baby gate up....get rid of the crib and let her sleep in her new bed. So we put the baby gate up. She cried for three minutes, leaned on the baby gate for 15 minutes, then she went to the edge of her bed and leaned on it for a half of an hour....and then she finally gave up and got in her bed and went to sleep. I think you are better off doing it now. If you wait until the baby comes it is going to be extremely hard. Your daughter has to get used to the baby and that baby is taking her bed. Good luck!!

Stacy - posted on 12/28/2009

I moved all my children to a twin bed when they were about 15 months old. We had no problem. We just bought one of those side rails that you can by at Wal-mart. It fits between the frame and mattress. We just skipped the toddler bed all together.

Crystal - posted on 12/24/2009

My son will be 2 in feb, and we moved him to a todler bed months ago! he started to climb real early! but he never once had a problem with it, he loves it! He even puts himself down for naps and bed most of the time! My son has always been all about sleeping!! Good luck with everything!

Laura - posted on 12/05/2009

We moved our daughter to a normal bed when she was 18 months, as we needed the cot for her wee brother coming. She had no problems with it and never got out or had issues with sleeping, although she is a good sleeper. Give it a try!

Erica - posted on 12/04/2009

I agree with Christina...I'd hold off on moving her to a 'big girl bed' until she's closer to 3 if you can. You can always have baby's room all set up and just use a Pack-n-Play for awhile...that's what we did with our girls who were exactly 2 years apart. Older girl was ready about 4 months later and the transition was great! She was NOT ready at 2...and I didn't want to force another transition on her- having a new baby in the house is tough enough on them... GOOD LUCK!

Lindsey - posted on 12/01/2009

My daughter was doing the same thing. I didnt even consider waiting I got her a twin bed immediatley. Putting a younger child in a twin bed earlier is actually far easier than doing it later. Moving your child to a bed at an early age is not the reason they end up sleeping in bed with you.... When we moved Lillian I made it an exciting thing. Got a new bedspread, lamp, pictures, etc. She was soo excited to have a new room. She loves her big girl room and has only had 1 night up in 2 and a half months...thats pretty great for a 21 mth old. Just do it!!! Make it fun....not a big ordeal, but still exciting.

Robyn - posted on 11/27/2009

my daughter has been a good sleeper from early on, and as she was trying to climb out of her cot at 18 months i got an extendable bed from ikea. i think that this is a good option as it is a nice size to start and will grow with her and the one i got you don't need side protectors. My daughter was a little unsure of these when i had her in my room as hers was getting painted. so it was nice to find one that dosen't need them, just an other idea if that is any help.

Alicia - posted on 11/25/2009

My son will be 2 in Feb....and he climbs out of his crib...but only in the mornings when it is time to get up..we have recently put up a toddler bed and he likes it but thinks it is great to get in and out of...so we are going to keep him in his crib a little longer :) you know with the new baby coming...I would do it before it comes or wait a while after the baby is born because the new baby is going to be a big enough change for her :)

Teresa - posted on 11/22/2009

Contrary to what Christina said, I would go ahead. Especially if she's close to climbing over the top. lol. We moved our daughter to a toddler bed when she was about 17 months and she does great! It took her a couple days of sleeping on the floor for her naps before she finally started sleeping in her bed, but she always slept in it at night. To get her used to it, we just spent time playing on it as a family and she loved it. She's 21 months now and sleeps all through the night. So just like with everything else, every child is different. Good luck with everything and congrats on baby number 2!!

Christina - posted on 11/21/2009

Dont do it...wait as long as possible I have read that if you can leave them in a crib until 3 this is a good time to make the transition as they have well developed sleep patterns and you will have more success. I moved my middle son right when he turned 2 and he is almost 3.5 now and is still in my bed because he is afraid to sleep alone. Good luck