How to know when your daughter is ready for a big girl bed?

Michelle - posted on 02/12/2012

we moved our daughter to a toddler bed right after she turned 1 and then transitioned to a single bed just after she was 2 as my son needed a new bed his was really old and a hand me down so we bought a set of bunkbeds that come apart and gave her the top one that had the bedrail and that is what she is in now and is happy as a clam we do have problems at nap time but that is because she firmly believes that big girls do not have naps she is all of 2 1/2 so still really needs one.

Brianna - posted on 02/12/2012

i moved my daughter to the big big just before her 2nd bday because she was climbing out of the crib... if i could of kept her in the crib longer i would of cuz it really sucks have to fight with her to stay in her bed. so i say as long as shes not trying to climb out of the crib or u dont need it for a new baby then leave her where she is for now.. but if shes still in there when she turns 3 i would think about moving her since she will probably be mature enough to not try to get out of bed many times but its all about what works for each individual..so good luck :)

Kate - posted on 02/12/2012

if you are planning on having a second child make sure there is time between children with no one in the cot. my eldest was 18mth and put her straight in a single bed with a side rail but i was also pregnant with number 2 and wanted some time for her to get use to it. also the benefit of a big bed is you can snuggle with her in her own bed and makes it a special place that she "owns" let her help pick it out or pick out the linen make it an exciting experience for her and dont focus on leaving the cot just move it out and add the new bed my daughter was very excited especially being able to climb into bed herself.

Sherri - posted on 02/12/2012

So your kids were potty trained at 16 & 14mo's???



My kids weren't in a crib when they were potty trained, as they weren't potty trained before 2 1/2.

Medic - posted on 02/12/2012

We moved our kids at 16 and 14 months. Neither of them got up and wandered around and neither gave us issuses about going to bed and staying. I guess my big thing is I didn't want to keep a toilet trained child in a crib. Oh yeah and both were totally done with being locked up.

Sherri - posted on 02/12/2012

When she starts climbing out. If she is content and loves her crib leave her be. All my kids stayed in their cribs and didn't switch till 2 1/2-3yrs.



Heck my sister still hasn't switched my 3yr old niece who turned three in Sept. She is content and doesn't climb out so they are leaving her be.

Jessica - posted on 02/12/2012

Our oldest was at about 19 months (which wasn't by our choice), because my sister-in-law was expecting and our crib was a family crib. We had all sorts of issues, as he hadn't been even attempting to climb out yet and suddenly he had all this freedom.



Our second one is now 22 months and he is still in the crib. Not only has he not bothered really trying to climb out, but he is also small for his age. When we do transition though, he will go to a toddler bed with rails so if he does fall out, it's a short fall to the floor which will have blankets to cushion the fall.



I agree with Jodi, though. As long as he is not trying to climb out, might as well leave him be. It not only gives you security knowing that he is safe and not going anywhere, but gives him security knowing that he can't fall out of bed while sleeping!

Bonnie - posted on 02/11/2012

We moved our boys to a toddler bed at 20 months and 18 months. Most of the toddler beds say 15 months and up. Both our boys never tried to climb out of their cribs, but we felt it was time for them to switch. Plus, with our first child, less than 2 months later his brother was born and would have needed the crib anyway. We had no problems.

Jenni - posted on 02/11/2012

Oh, if you're concerned about her "sneaking out" in the middle of the night and not hearing her. You can use a baby gate across her door.

Jenni - posted on 02/11/2012

I know the Pediatric Society of Canada recommends moving to a toddler bed by 24 months. I believe it's to do with concern about injuries from toddlers being able to jump from the crib.



I moved my son to a toddler bed just past 2 years. He never climbed out of the crib but my new daughter needed it. He did great! My SD also moved to a toddler bed at 2 years but she was a jumper. My 22 month old is still in the crib, no climbing out yet.



So I'd say anytime after 2 years you're good to go. I personally didn't find the transition too hard.

Kimberly - posted on 02/11/2012

My daughter will be three in nov so about the same age and we still have her in her cot. She doesnt try to climb it and I dont want the hassels of getting in and out of bed so until she climbs it she will stay in the cot. Plus she can open the doors in the house so I worry that she might get out the front door so once she is in a big bed we will have to dead bolt the door. I will be putting her straight into a king single bed so it is just one change and she will get used to it. I do have a bedroom suite on order and the bedding ready to go for when we need it just waiting it out now

Stifler's - posted on 02/11/2012

I changed Logan to a low toddler bed with a rail so he can't roll out at 14 months because he was nearly jumping out and I was having another baby. He still gets out to play at nap time quietly and falls asleep on the floor but at night their room is dark they don't bother to get out and just go to sleep. Well he did anyway.

Jodi - posted on 02/10/2012

Oh, and just for the record, I skipped the toddler bed and went straight for a full size bed and just put rails up on the sides. That way, their beds lasted them for years :)

Amber - posted on 02/10/2012

Thank Jodi, I'll do that. So far she hasn't temped to get out, but she has tried to climb in the crib. Your post was really helpful, thank you.

Jodi - posted on 02/10/2012

When she starts finding ways to climb out. My son figured out how to get out when he was 2, so he went into a bed then. My daughter was never interested in climbing out, and she was a pretty small toddler, so I didn't move her into a bed until she was 3 1/2. But honestly, as soon as they start trying to climb out, get them out of the crib because they could seriously hurt themselves. Other than that, do it whenever it suits you both or when she is too big for her crib!!