Any tips on switching to a big boy bed?

Jaclyn - posted on 01/20/2009

I have a son that's just about 2 1/2.  We decided not the go to a toddler bed since cost wise didn't make sense to us.  So we bought a bed rail that you'd put under a mattress.  We took the side of the crib off (that you lower up and down) and put the rail up.  It still keeps him from falling out, but yet lets him get use to climbing up and down by himself.  We called it a big boy bed for him to get use to.  We did this probably closer to two.  Knowing we would be trying for another and we'd need to use to crib for the next child.  We didn't want it to seem like a huge thing when the time actually came.  So I'd try and take the rail off the crib for a little while to get him use to the change about to come.  If your crib allows that. 

He LOVES the movie Cars.  So when we were ready to change him over to his normal bed, we bought him Car bedding and stuff to make his room the Cars Theme.  We told him what we were doing and why not that we're expecting number two.  He loves the Cars stuff on his bed.  I really helped a lot.  He asked us to stay with him a few times after we did this but for the most part he does a really good job.  We only laid down with him if he was behaving and trying to go to sleep.  If not, we would just leave. 

If you talk and explain what's going on and why things are happening, I really honestly think it helps a lot! 

Good luck!

Laurel - posted on 01/20/2009

I recently switched my 2 yr old to a big-boy bed.  He eats, sleeps and breathes Lightning McQueen.  I got him a McQueen bed.  He came in his room and was watching me put it together.  Just as I finished I turned and he was standing there, pillow in one hand, blanket in the other, all smiles saying "Night night!!"  I doubt he would have been so receptive had it been any other kind of bed.  So maybe try a character bed (if you shop around you can get them fairly cheap)

Nicole - posted on 01/20/2009

Hi im a mom of three boys as well and i would agree with Rachel.  My middle one wasnt queit 2 but we thought we would introduce the "BIg Boy Bed" so we brought in the race car bed but left his crib in the room.  It took some time but he got it.  My only heads up to you is that he will be three in a couple of days and i still have to snuggle with him to get him to go to sleep at night. ( I personally love it cus someday hes not going to want that but everyone has different opinions about it).

Sam - posted on 01/20/2009

hey now my way isnt normal but worked for me. my son loved his cot to so what i did was cut of the legs and took one side of the cot so it was flush to the floor this way they have the smell and comfort of the cot but it is getting them used to being on a bed he loves it and then i will get him a reall big boy bed in a few months he has been in his cot/bed for 4 months and is working well

hope its some help

Rachel - posted on 01/20/2009

Hi im a mum of 3 boys, two of them have racing car beds, if anybody ever asks me friends ect bout beds i tell them racing car.....  There the best, fun, exciting, and has sides so still kinda like his cot but cooler. my 4 yr old has a red 1 and my 3 yr old has a blue, i also getting the other one 4 our other little 1 but not just yet hes only 5 months. Try it out i garentee it will work both mine were out of there cots by 2 it was just so exciting 4 them. Hope this helps let me know how you go....