is putting a 20month old in a toddler bed to early?

Staci - posted on 06/22/2009

Not at all, my wee boy Aidan woz in full size bed ta 15mths. I had moved house abd didnt see point him going in back in 2 cot when in a few mths after i would b then movin him 2 a bed anyway. Never had any problems at all with him. x

Lindsey - posted on 06/22/2009

Thanks everyone for you thoughts! I am going to move him to a toddler bed. His room is proofed already and since we just have a one bedroom apartment my husband and i have our bed on the far side of the livingroom. our bed faces right to my son's bedroom so i would know if he was anywhere other than is room..... I think it is the best thing for us!

Betsy - posted on 06/21/2009

One of my biggest parenting pet peeves is toddlers in a bed too early. It is recommended the stay in cribs until 3 (crib tents are awesome and created to prevent deaths due to this.) If you go with the bed, you have to childproof COMPLETELY. Picture leaving that child unsupervised, which they will be if they wake in the middle of the night. No parent will wake during deep stages of sleep, no matter how much of light sleepers they feel they are (that only varies during REM sleep anyway). Curious by nature, toddlers will not always go to the parent's room if something catches their curiousity. I've known 2 children who died due to their parents thinking that, and that is no lesson any parent should learn the hard way, waking up to ever. They were unnecessary deaths that well-meaning parents had to live with. At 1 and even 2, they don't have the cognitive capability of danger, so anything they can climb or tip on them needs to be removed (all dressers, light fixtures, etc). Anything that a curious toddler may touch needs to be out of reach completely. They cannot be able to get to the rest of the house unsupervised, and gates kids can figure out how to climb with hours unsupervised. Just go in the room and think if you took a long leisurely bath with the child in the room with no supervision, because during the night they have that time if they wake, and completely prevent any hazards they could possibly get into at all.

Faunda - posted on 06/21/2009

I put all 3 of my boys in a toddler bed by 15mo. they did fine I used a good rug and a bean bag heavily stuffed beside their bed so if they fell out they would not hit the floor so hard and I sat on the bean bag while I rubbed their back or just read them a book in bed it had a dual use.

Sarah - posted on 06/21/2009

L,
As a fellow back pain sufferer, go for it. all our children we in a toddler bed by 14/15 months. They loved it! and it did save me a ton of pain!
I now see a chiropractor, not sure if u r comfortable w/ that idea, but it has really helped me. Stretching 2 has been a life saver!!
Good Luck. Rest up when ever u can, never say no to a good new pair of shoes! :)

Erica - posted on 06/21/2009

I think each child is different. If you think he will stay in his room and be safe i.e. roaming around his room, electrical cords/outlets, bookcases to climb then he should be fine (there will probably be a period where he is getting used to it and will want to investigate his little world). My sons were 24 months (he was a climber) and 32 months (he's the one who unplugs his light and/or dismantles it, so we had to take it out). But, I would go ahead and try it if you think he is ready. Good luck!

Estella - posted on 06/21/2009

Hi i have 4 children at the min with another on the way, all my children went in a toddler bed at 18 month and loved it, it just makes life much easier and they are reccomended from 18m anyway xx

Antoinette - posted on 06/21/2009

I started putting my son in a toddler bed once he was standing and trying to climb out. For safety of course. I know how it feels to have a bad back. (Ive had back surgery) if the beds hight can adjust set it lowest to the ground so the baby can just climb down and get to you. be careful if he is real active though make sure the room is safe in case he tries to take a late night Ronda vu (hope i spelled that understandable lol)

Alicia - posted on 06/21/2009

Defiinatley, I moved when my son was 13 mon and he would not go into his crib again i had a twin bed he went in it! he is now 20 mo and is fine he has a rail for it. They sometimes decide for themselves. My 5yr old would have stayed in his crib forever. He went in a toddler bed at 3yr old and big boy bed a few months later. He will be fine make sure to keep on your monitor so you can hear him and nothing he can get into. it will be fine!!!!

Elizabeth - posted on 06/19/2009

Make your situation work for you!!! When the youngest baby was born, I had to put my 20 month old daughter right into a twin bed from the crib. We live in NY in a 2 bedroom apartment. With no space and 3 girls I had to make it work. Bunk beds and a crib is all that would fit into the room. I put pillows on the floor and in about 1 week, she didn't fall out of the bed anymore. LOL Good luck to you!!!

Shawanda - posted on 06/19/2009

no I think it's find, Just buy the toddler beds that have the side rails on both sides so they won't fall out. if they sleep in cribs, they will love having a big boy or girl bed and they can get out by themself.

Tracy - posted on 06/19/2009

my 18 mth little girl went into a bed 2 weeks ago, she loves it, she is in a proper adult pine bed with a cot side which we got from mothercare, she has the nite garden and fi fi duvets which she loves,was drending it but its been great xxxxxx goodluck

Mikki - posted on 06/19/2009

I'd defiantly do a toddler bed....my son was an early climber and by 15 Months we were in a toddler bed with rail. The baby gate at his room door will help defiantly (well it didn't me b/c he would scale it but it will you)

Tracey - posted on 06/19/2009

we put our little ones into a bed by 18months, they loved it. We especially love the early morning kisses. With the back I had a similar problem - I shave been seeing an Osteopath every month since Jan and have never had another spasm. Its worth the cost for being able to get down and give the kids a horsy ride and roll about with them

Jennifer - posted on 06/19/2009

Not at all. Due to the upcoming arrival of my little girl and the need for the crib I moved my 18 mth old daughter into the "big girl bed", which was a twin size bed. We completely skipped the toddler bed. Due to the layout of her room we had to place one side of it against the wall, so I just bought a bed rail to go on the exposed side. She loved it instantly and we only had a problem with her climbing out of it for the first couple of weeks. I put a step stool at the end so she could get back in it when she got out of it. I would recommend skipping the toddler bed and just spending the money one time for a bed they can use for a long time. And if you have a problem with your little one trying to come out of his room just put one of those safety door knob covers on the knob inside his room. He won't be able to open the door but you'll still be able to get in his room easily. Worked great for us.

Tina - posted on 06/19/2009

Due to my son's birth, I transitioned my daughter into a toddler bed (with sides) at 16 mos. This way she was able to have her own bed and comfortable with the fact that her brother would have her crib.... and it worked! So, putting a 20 month old in toddler bed is fine. Since my son has an older sister, he wanted to sleep in a big bed early- I think we put him in a real bed at 18 mos... Do what is best for you and your son. You can spend lots of cuddle time in a real bed, too! just my two cents.

Janis - posted on 06/19/2009

I put my 20 month old son into his own bed. It was a great move as he took to it very well. We put the bed against a wall in his room and then placed an arm chair on the open side so that he couldn't fall out. We found that keeping the wedge we used in his cot instead of using a big pillow also helped. It took about a week in all for him to get used to the idea of sleeping in a 'big bed'. Remember that every child is different and you may find that after trying for a couple of days that he just isn't ready. Go with your gut feel.

Heidi - posted on 06/19/2009

My son that is 10 years old now was put into a regular(not a toddler bed) when he was 16 months old. He kept climbing out of the crib so I had no choice. My son that is 4 now has been in a regular bed since he was 17 months old. So I don't think 20 months is to young. I had to put up a baby gate at the top of the stairs so if they were to sleep walk(which they both do still) they wouldn't fall down the stairs. Otherwise they were totally fine.

Amanda - posted on 06/19/2009

some toddler beds are for 18 months to 6 years old. I put my daughter in one when she was 23 months but that was because she got the bed for chirstmas but her bed said that it was good for a 18 month. she has a princess bed!

KATY - posted on 06/19/2009

I agree with everyone. My son was an early walker and was in a toddler bed by 12 months. He has been in a twin size bed since he turned two. He loves sleeping in his new bed. Make sure that the entire room is baby proofed or he will find things to get into!

Christina - posted on 06/18/2009

I don't think it's too early. I put my daughter in a toddler bed when she was a yr old. She started walking at 10 months and we felt it was the right thing. But I agree a gate for the door is best!

Angela - posted on 06/18/2009

We put our son in a toddle bed when he was about 13 - 14 months but he kept on crawling out of the crib.

Teanna - posted on 06/18/2009

we put our 18 month old in a toddler bed and he loved it. I wasn't sure if he was ready but my husband was and I am so glad we did it because he felt like such a big boy and actually wanted to go to bed at bedtime.

Claire - posted on 06/18/2009

My daughter was happy as a clam in her crib until 21 months, and then over the course of one week hated it and no amount of "sleep training" time could get her to stop crying. We had done some sleep training before but it soon became apparent that this wasn't the same thing. we put her in a twin bed with a guard and she is very happy now. of course, we also had to baby safe her room, install a cam and a lock on the door and check in every night to remove the toys she drags into her bed before we go to bed!

Courtney - posted on 06/18/2009

I put my twin boys in toddler beds at 24 months. Now they're 36 and I'm thinking about twin beds already. If he's big enough and you have rails and pillows on the floor to cushion his fall, then you'll be alright. Just always respond to the thumps you hear.

Brandy - posted on 06/18/2009

Go for it my youngest went into a toddler bed a 3 months old she was so much happier in the bed then in the crib and it was so much easier to get her to sleep without having to be held all the time

Stephanie - posted on 06/18/2009

A lot of mothers are concerned with what people will think. I say do what feels right for you. My daughter was in a toddler bed shortly after her first birthday. She kept climbing out of her crib and hurt herself, thats when I got rid of the crib. Every child is different. What is good for one child may not be good the next. You could try out the toddler bed for a bit and if it doesn't work you could bring back the crib.

Constacne - posted on 06/18/2009

Heck no... My youngest went into a toddler bed at 15 months... Then he started to move it around so I put him in a twin bed at about 18 months... Do what you think is right for your child... If it doesn't work out just go back to the crib.

Pat - posted on 06/18/2009

My son went into a toddler bed when he was 14 months. He started daycare and they had him sleeping on a cot so the crib seemed like jail to him and we had to get a bed. You can get the ones with pull up sides so that he doesn't fall out. And, the first little bit might be difficult but he will get used to it. Many people need to take them out of a crib earlier than 20 months because they already know how to climb out.



Good luck.

Laura - posted on 06/18/2009

I put my daughter in a toddler bed at 17 months and she did great - she loved it!

Christal - posted on 06/18/2009

my family always went by the rule, if your child can climb out of their crib, then to start putting him/her in a toddler bed. maybe you can put him in a toddler bed, that is close to the floor, and use railings.

Kristina - posted on 06/18/2009

i dont think so but it all depends on if you feel they are ready for that step. my son hated sleeping in his crib, he would rather sleep in the pack and play. I think he was around 20 months as well.

Kristen - posted on 06/18/2009

My son is 16months and today is his first day with a toddler bed. It's working great so far. He gets up and down as he pleases. So far...I'm enjoying it.

Joy - posted on 06/18/2009

We just switched our 20 month old this past Saturday to a toddler bed and he loves it! I also feel a lot better knowing he won't be falling out of his crib. And it is a lot easier on the back not having to lean over the rail at all.

Jamie Lee - posted on 06/18/2009

your son will be fine both my kids were in toddler beds by 18 months so i say go right ahead, especially if its to save your back then all the more reason to do it i have back problems too and children and back pain don't go together LOL

Alyssa - posted on 06/18/2009

No way! My daughter was walking by 9 months, and in a toddler bed at 13 months. Whenever you think your little one is ready.. he's ready! It does take time to get used to it. We never used a guard in her bed either, but her bed is so low to the ground since it was a crib at one point.. a convertible one. She has never fallen out.. And she loves the fact that she can get in and out of her own bed on her own! She is 22 months now, and we are starting to look at twin sized beds. To each their own, but bottom line, parents know what's best for their own kids, and no matter what decision you make, it's the right one for you and your family.

Marne - posted on 06/18/2009

My son was also an early walker, between 9 and 10 monthes. At 11 monthes he managed to climb over the rail and fell. He only had a black eye and an hysterical Mommy for the effort but you better believe he was in a toddler bed by that evening! Yours isn't too young but do be prepared to spend a couple of hours ushering the litlle one back to bed every 15 minutes, LOL!

Tammy - posted on 06/18/2009

What Tracey said! My kids could climb out of their crib at 18 months so it was a lot safer to put them in a toddler bed. The gate at the door of their room is key, though. Also, make sure his room is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT baby-proofed- all outlets covered, all baby products out of reach, all window blind strings WAY UP out of his reach so if he gets up and plays in there while you're not looking that he'll be safe. :-)

Sera - posted on 06/18/2009

I agree with Tracey Chevrier. Go for it. It will save yourself a lot of pain, and it's something new for you and your infant to try out. Sometimes new things to try are great! They do make cribs that open on the side, but that is a load of money you probably don't need to spend. I would try the toddler bed out.

Melissa - posted on 06/18/2009

I agree wiht Tracey that is what I did for my girls. I bought one of those little gaurds so they couldnt fall out of the bed even tho it was close to the ground. It gave both of us some relief with sleeping in a "big girl bed"

Tracey - posted on 06/18/2009

I don't think so. My sister put her son in a toddler bed the minute he was able get out of his crib. He was an early walker (around 10 months old) and by 18 months he was in a toddler bed. If it feels right, go for it! I intend on using a similar approach for my daughter once she can walk. Just make sure to have a good baby gate for the bedroom door!