Moving to a toddler bed

Whitney - posted on 09/12/2009

My daughter was 10 months when she went to a toddler bed, I set the bed up in her room next to the crib until she showed interest. Then when she was interested I put a safety gate at her door when she woke up in the morning she kept her self entertained until I got up or some mornings just yelled mama at the gate.

Terri - posted on 09/11/2009

my daughter is 2 1/2 and has been in a toddler bed for awhile, just before she hit 2 years...I play music for her when she goes to bed, and all that she has access too are her toys right now...she used to go into her closet but I closed that off with her dresser and a gate...same with her door, it's either gated up or I close the door with one of those safety knobs on it...she can't open those...hope that helps

Angela - posted on 09/11/2009

I suggest a safety nob on the inside of his door. My son has one and cannot get out of his room until i go in there. I still have a monitor in his room so I can hear him. WE also have the nobs on the front/back door just in case he ever tries to get out in the middle of the night. I'm sure it's a safety Fire hazard, but I would rather know that he can't get out and hurt himself while I am sleeping.

Cindy - posted on 09/11/2009

When I take my kids out of the crib they're still too small to open their door, but try using a baby gate in the hallway to block off the rest of the house. I did it with my kids for about a week and since then they just come straight to my room when they wake up. Also if he has toys in the room he may even just wake up and start playing my kids have done that too (even when they had the abilities to open a door).

Deena - posted on 09/11/2009

I've enjoyed all the stories on here. I also have a 2.5 year old. Last weekend we put the big boy bed in and kept the crib in there too (so it wouldn't be drastic). But now we are finding that half the time he is asking to go into the crib. After several attempts in the big boy bed at night, we usually give in and put him in the crib. He seems more secure in there. We moved him to a big boy bed because he was climbing out of his crib. I'm not sure if we should take the crib out completely or what. He rarely stays in the twin bed for long, he is usually out and opening the door to his room before we get downstairs. The bed time routine time has doubled b/c of the time trying to get him to stay in his bed. I'm ok with that, but we aren't sure if/when to move the crib out. Any suggestions?

Cheryl - posted on 09/06/2009

My little one was a climber. We had her in a toddler bed by the time she was 18 months. We bought her a twin bed with the railing which was a big deal for her 2nd birthday. We bought Tinkerbell sheets and blankets and she loved it. FOR one night. now she is back in my bed and dad sleeps on the tinkerbell bed.



If your little one isn't a climber I would get a gate for his bedroom door and keep a monitor handy.

Pam - posted on 09/04/2009

Can I suggest putting a baby gate up against his bedroom door so he cannot get out if his bedroom, completely baby safe his room, my little one shares a bedrrom with her 8 year old sister, I just kept putting her back to bed the first time I said if she gets out I will close her bedroom door, she is now 2 and a half and I put her to bed and she stays there and sleeps, just perseverance worked for me, hope this helps

Heather - posted on 09/02/2009

We just went through the same thing moving our 2 1/2 year old boy to a full size bed. He had never tried climbing out of his crib, but we just thought it was time. For 2 weeks before I was anxious and worried about him the way way you are worrying about your little one. Finally we decided to just go for it and we have not had any problems with him since. In fact, he still calls out for me to come get him in the morning and when we lay him down at night he just gets comfy and goes to sleep. We did all that worrying for nothing! Hope you have the same luck...

Liz - posted on 08/31/2009

My daughter has been in her toddler bed for a couple of weeks now. Haven't had any issues of her getting out of bed in the middle of the night. If she wakes up in the middle of the night, she just sits up or stands in her bed calling for me. But, she has gotten out of bed once during her nap time and I just took her back to her bed til she woke up from her nap. So, no issues yet :-).

Stephanie - posted on 08/31/2009

hi

my son moved into his toddler bed when he was one and a half because he was very physical and was trying to climb out of his cot. we have a safty gate at his door then one on the top off the gate this works a treat and like i said he is very physical but does not bother trying to get out all it needs is plug socket covers on your plugs window locks fittend and dont have anything un child friendly in there room good luck

Jennifer - posted on 08/31/2009

I'm sort of having the same problem with my 2 year old daughter. She will be 2 1/2 this month and she will not sleep in her bed. When I put her to bed I have to sit with her until she falls asleep and then sneak out. She will not sleep through the night and she's up a million times trying to climb into my bed. Most times I bring her back to her bed and sit with her until she goes back to sleep. But by the 5th or 6th time doing this, I'm just too tired and I let her sleep with me for the rest of the night. I know I should be consistant but I just get too tired. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get her to stay in her bed? Thanks.

Kimberly - posted on 08/30/2009

My 2 1/2 year old has been in a toddler bed since she was about 20 months old, It worked better for us, I could lay with her if needed at night. She has never roamed the house just wonders into my room and crawls into bed with us. Better than wondering I guess. I think they learn where they can and can't go at night. The dark tends to keep her in her comfort zone, her or my room.

Emma - posted on 08/30/2009

my little boy is nearly 2 1/2 and has only been in his toddler bed for a couple of weeks and so far he hasnt woken up and climbed out during the nite but i think this is because he learnt to get out of his cot so when he got his bed the fun was already had!!!! he loves his big boys bed now because it just like his mummy's lol!! it should be fun and exciting for you both and hope it goes well

Amber - posted on 08/29/2009

Seriously, if he isn't climbing out..why change him now? I've read several articles that say leave them in as long as you can if they are content! My twins (2.5 yrs) jsut moved into their toddler beds two nights ago...only because we have another baby in the way who needs one of the cribs and they both have learned how to climb out and get into trouble! :) They have done great these past two nights! I did have to take out the night light as well. We have always had their door closed (we have the room right next to theirs and we still use a monitor) but since they now know how to open them...I have a baby proof knob on the inside knob of their door. But I also toyed with the idea of a gate; however, I feel they would have light from the hall and see us or hear us more, which would cause them to get up more and try to get out of the room! Make sure all bookshelves are secured to the wall (climbing!! ugh!) ...and we took out toys so they wouldn't be tempted to play. Good luck, I hope this helped and I hope it all works out for you and your little guy! :)

Tracy - posted on 08/28/2009

My daughter switched to her "big girl room" with a twin bed a couple weeks ago. She does get out of bed in the middle of the night sometimes, brings her blankies and pillow into our room and climbs in bed. I try to put her back in bed, but don't always bc I also have an 8wk old and I am just so tired I let her stay. Yes, I know I need to be consistant. She also makes me leave the fan light on when she goes to sleep or if I put her back in during the middle of the night, she has to have the light on. She has no problem walking through the house in the dark...

Cynthia - posted on 08/27/2009

That is an exciting step! We made the change for our daughter just after she turned 2. You must expect that he will get out of bed at some point. It is your job to put him back there without engaging him. After a few nights, he'll get that he must stay in bed. Good luck!!

Laura - posted on 08/27/2009

My 2 1/2 yr old is still in a crib too. His doctor once told me to keep him in the crib as long as possible, as long as he doesn't try to climb out. But when I am ready to move him into a bed I am planning on using a baby gate in the door so he cannot roam through the house in the middle of the night.

Veronica - posted on 08/27/2009

My son is two and has been in a toddler bed for about 5 months. The first nite I realized I had to take away his nite lite. When it's dark, he won't get out of bed, but I do play a cd of soft songs for his comfort at bed time. As far as him getting out in the morning, the first couple of weeks he wouldn't get out by himself, then that wore off. I still have the baby monitor in his room so I can hear if he gets up and his door way has a baby gate on it. The only things in his room are his toys, nothing to get hurt on. But usually he will come to the door and yell for mommy.

Andrea - posted on 08/27/2009

I feel the same way. My daughter is content in her crib and doesn't try to climb out. Her room is right at the top of the stairs and that scares me if she was to get up in the middle of the night. Sorry I don't have an advice for you, but just to let you know I feel the same way. Good Luck.