When is it time to make the switch from crib to a bed?

Trena - posted on 04/06/2010

Both of my kids were in a twin size bed by the time they were 1. My son figured out how to climb out of a play pen and I figured it was just a matter of time before he figured out the crib, so big boy bed it was. My daughter was 24 pounds by the time she was 1 and had figured out how to get the crib rail down, again, safety issue.... so big girl bed it was. I bought twin beds from Ikea as they are low to the ground and used a bed rail for the both of them. I didn't have an issue with either of them getting out of the bed. My daughter will be 2 in July and only gets out of her bed in the morning.

Brandee - posted on 03/26/2010

I have read that some kids like the security of their crib and sleep in it well past 2 years old.. Brandon has "escaped" from his twice, so I have ordered the toddler side rail for his bed (it is a conversion bed).. He hasn't gotten out of it for a couple weeks, so I plan on leaving him in the crib for as long as he will stay.. I don't think he would know to come get me if he gets up in the middle of the night.. Plus we plan to move this summer, so I thought we would make the bed change after the move is complete.. Good luck.

Bonnie - posted on 03/25/2010

well my daughter started climbing out of her crib at 11 months and we put her toddler bed up and she sleep so much better in it and she is 20 months now but i would say when they are to big to sleep in the crib but i wouldnt know this is my first kid and i didnt have her in her crib to long i hope everything works out for u and on staying in the bed have u tried turning music on we turn music on for my daughter when she goes to bed and it seems to keep her in her bed at night but its something to try

Maree - posted on 03/19/2010

Hi there Tina, Im no expert, but my Daughter is nearly 2, (in july) and was thashing herself around in her cot at night and until recent, have moved her to a big bed. Now I sleep. But, getting her to bed, she is ready for bed when she is ready. When she starts to fall asleep infront of the telle (lights out, no toys, books packed away), then we put her to bed. The same applyed for our son. He was 20mths when we moved him to a big bed, as we needed the cot for our daughter. Still some nights, we wait until he is falling asleep and move him.
But, you move him when you are ready. I felt, my babies are gone when they moved to a bed.
All for one I say, do what you think is right.
Good luck, and let us know how you go.

Nicole - posted on 03/17/2010

When it becomes dangerous to the child (climbing out), it is time to move out of the crib. I've heard of moms keeping their child in a crib up to 2.5 years. My son is still in his crib. He doesn't attempt to climb out though. But I haven't even thought of moving him to a bed.

Katie - posted on 03/17/2010

My daughter will be out of her crib when she is potty trained or can climb out. She currently tries to climb into her crib but not out, so we are safe in knowing it will be awhile yet. I wouldn't move him yet if you don't need too. My daughter is the same way of moving around and such.

Pia - posted on 03/17/2010

If he can't climb out of his cot then I wouldn't move him yet. My son started climbing out about two months ago, so we moved him into a bed. To keep him in his bed I started a new routine. He gets less of a nap during the day so he's more tired when bedtime comes around. He has his bath, then we sit on the couch and have some milk, then we go and lie in bed and read a book. Then he gets cuddles until he's relaxed and I leave the room. He generally stays in bed if I do this however I go and check on him every now and then just in case.

When we first put him in his bed he climbed out heaps. Eventually I just let him play in his room (removing everything dangerous and fun first) and he'd eventually either climb back in bed or fall asleep on his little couch. It just takes a lot of coaxing and persistence getting them used to the bed and the new freedom. Get a bed rail too, it'll help him feel more secure in the bed.