Ready for Toddler Bed?

Julie - posted on 01/19/2009

Hi,

I moved my daughter to her big girl bed last night. She didn't wake up that we know of but we did find her on the mattress on the floor this morning. Don't know when she climbed off onto the floor. She was happy to go bed a few minutes ago so hopefully we will have another good night.

In answer to your question, I would suggest that you move your older daughter to her big bed as soon as possible. We moved my oldest daughter to her big bed 5 months before her sister was born and we were lucky she only fell out of bed about three times and she was happy to be in the big bed. Good luck

Lisa - posted on 01/15/2009

Totally depends on the child. We just put our DD (18mo) on the bottom bunk of the new bunk bed. We first started her out on the floor with her crib mattress until she learned to stay in bed. The first week was the worst with her constantly getting up at nap times. Or when her brother was trying to sleep (they're in the same room) Then, she would just occasionally get up over the next month. After that, she realized that she's just going to keep getting put back in bed, and she stays there now, no problems.

Darcy - posted on 01/15/2009

Dena, I feel your pain!  I know if we put our 18 month old into a bed, he'll just constantly fall or get out.

Ashley - posted on 01/14/2009

i had my second daughter when my first was 13 months old, we just bought another crib , becasue hers turns into a toddler bed and then a twin bed, , we got the same kind of crib for my second. It made me nervous to but her in a bed by herself, but my mom had my brother when i was only a year, and so she put me in a bed and said she never had any problems, just make sure whatever you do , that you make the change a least a few months before the baby is born so she can adjust to the new sleeping situation

Dena - posted on 01/14/2009

we have a toddler bed in the garage and i want to put it up in haylees room so bad, but she doesnt always go to bed good. their are nights where she is so upset for having to go to bed that she just stands their and screams and throws everything out of her crib. im afraid she wont stay in her bed. anyone have this fear or overcome this problem?

Stephanie - posted on 01/13/2009

We switched my oldest daughter when she was 15 months because she climbed out of her crib and fell to the floor.  She moved a ton when she slept but we just put a ton of pillows on the floor around the bed.  She eventually stopped movinga round, it just took some time. If possible leave the crib set up in the room along with the toddler bed so there isn't such a huge change in the room right away. 

Darcy - posted on 01/12/2009

I don't think we'll ever get to a big-boy bed.  Our son rolls around so much that he'll just end up falling out.  Sometimes I'll go in there and his head is down where his feet should be.  Any suggestions for that??

Adria - posted on 01/12/2009

i would do it now or wait 'til the baby is a couple months old (and have the baby be in a cradle in your room for a while). 

good luck and congrats!

Lisa - posted on 01/07/2009

Sounds familiar! I am only 22 weeks pregnant, but also have a  18mo. old. We are due Mothers Day. We have had her "in" her toddler bed for a couple months now and unfortunately she usually isn't there in the morning. I think every child is different and if you thinking about doing it, just do it and see what happens. They are so unpredictable at this age, and 18 mo. is still a "baby!" (until the next one comes of course!) Good luck with the bed transition, new baby, and big sister transition!

Kristi - posted on 01/07/2009

Great idea about the matress on the floor and pillows. I have recently thought about moving my son to a toddler bed but he does so good in his crib still. He doesn't climb out and has been in his own room sleeping through the night since he was six weeks. i'm afraid to mess up a good thing!

Karyn - posted on 01/06/2009

I moved my daughter to a different bedroom and a mattress on the floor at age 2 to make room for our new baby who was coming 2 months later.  I thought it would take a week of adjusting, but it ended up taking a month!  We made a big deal of her big-girl bed and room.  At first, she got up a few times during the night, and eventually started staying in her bed longer.  I would suggest moving your daughter soon so she has time to adjust and it won't seem like she's moving just for the baby.  A toddler bed may even facilitate the transition because it's more crib-like.  Good luck!

Lynn - posted on 01/06/2009

We started my now four year old, Brody in his at 18 months. But it was only because he would climb out if his crib in the middle of the night. We are waiting longer with Gabbi. I would say that if you are going to do it, I agree with Carey on doing it soon. You don't want to make to big changes like a toddler bed and a new sibling come too close together. :)

Nicole - posted on 01/06/2009

We started Chase is his at 12 mths but he has been in it full time since around 14-15 mths. He did great.

Carey - posted on 01/06/2009

I moved our first son into his own bed when he was 10 months old because I didn't want him to feel that he was being kicked out of our room because of the new baby, who was due 4 months later,

We started by having the mattress on the floor with lots of pillows and scatter cushions on the floor around the bed. When he stopped rolling off the bed we put the base under but without the feet, and kept the pillows, he was about 16 months. He is now 18 months and has no problem, it's also still low enough for him to climb on and off by himself.

I suggest doing it soon cause it does take some getting used to.

When I used to wake up in the middle of the night for those desperate toilet breaks, I would go check on him. And as horrible as this sounds, if he was on the floor, but comfortable and fast asleep, I would just cover him with a blanket and let him sleep there.