my 18month daughter just started getting out of her crib. what do i do?

Amy - posted on 02/17/2009

Of course you're not ready. But she is.

You'll be repeating this scenario for the next twenty-five years. Maybe more.

Good luck.

Shawn - posted on 02/10/2009

thank u all for your help... i do not think i am ready for a toddler bed yet. it is more the naps she will not be taking...

Lara - posted on 02/04/2009

My daughter started jumping out at 15 months so I made the transition to a bed with a rail.  I made sure her room was completely safe (including a high hook lock on her closet and made sure all windows were locked) and we would latch her door from the outside so when she was sleeping, we knew she could not get out of her room.  It was our routine to have the door locked and she was fine with it since she really didn't understand.  We used a hook and eye lock so she couldn't unlock is somehow from inside the room.  It may sound mean in a way, but I always had peace of mind knowing if she were awake she would stay contained in her room.  And by the way, we used a baby monitor for many years!

Lachelle - posted on 02/04/2009

I was going to say a toddler bed too, but the crib tent sounds like the way to go. if you do get a toddler bed get one that is a princess one or something fun like that, maybe she will want to stay in it.

Tara - posted on 02/04/2009

i put a crib tent on my daughters crib to get her to 2 years, and it was good, she accepted that she couldnt crawl out anymore and then we put her in a bed at 2 1/2

Jon - posted on 02/04/2009

Quoting Shawn:

my 18month daughter just started getting out of her crib. what do i do?

Get rid of the crib! and move her into a toddler bed or a twin bed with rails. My son crawled out of his crib at 9months. I was so scared moving him into a big bed.  He loved it, I think he was able to move around and he slept better also.  I also used a gate in is door way so he wouldn't wander around upstairs at night.    I know it is hard to make this decision,   Good luck  :}

Audra - posted on 02/04/2009

get her a tent that covers her crib !!

Jaye - posted on 02/04/2009

Time for a bed, and safety rail, all 3 of my kids were in a bed by this age, you'll find it a lot safer than falling out of cot, good luck.

Jennifer - posted on 02/04/2009

Make it safe for her to climb out or switch to a todler bed. You don't want her getting hurt.

Alison - posted on 02/04/2009

Can you lower the mattress any more or buy bed and have a gate across her bedroom door?

Irene - posted on 02/04/2009

I agree with the other parents who say, "Time for a big girl bed." In the mean time, if KEEPING her in bed is what you're hoping to accomplish, I'm happy to tell you that there is hope! It's not easy and takes a while but it does work.

After you've given her your bedtime hugs and kisses and are assured that all of her needs have been met, "goodnight" should be your last word to her. If she gets up after you've walked away, you want to gently and patiently pick her up and put her back in her crib, without saying a single word and without eye contact. The less attention she gets from this, the better. You may have to repeat this many many times in one night, but you'll see that she'll get up less and less as time goes. Trust me, without attention as a reward, she'll soon tire of getting out and being put back and will go to sleep.

Jennifer - posted on 02/04/2009

Get her a toddler bed.  The freedom may make her content with staying put.  Think of it as homeopathy  : ^ )

Julie - posted on 02/04/2009

It sounds like she is ready for the big bed if she is already climbing out of her crib.

Nikki - posted on 02/04/2009

time for a big girl bed!! (toddler bed)

Kristi - posted on 02/04/2009

if you are not ready for a toddler bed, there are crib tents.  I am going to purchase two of them for my twins.  I wish i had with my first son.  He started crawling out of his bed when he was almost 2,  and i tried the toddler bed thing, didn't work.  He would never stay in it to take a nap.  So, since he was 2 he hasn't taken naps.  I was pregnant with my twins at the time and could fight with him to stay in in.  I all got to be to much for me at the time.  And I don't want to struggle with two of them crawling out the thier cribs.

Jaclynne - posted on 02/04/2009

Its time for a toddler bed and a childproof door knob for the bedroom door. Our son was a year when he went into a toddler bed. Children love the change and the new freedoms that come with getting in and out of bed on their own. It also is a good time to introduce a new bedtime routine if you'd like, also- like taking away the sippy at night or sharing a story while your daughter is tucked into the covers! This is a milestone moment. Don't stress it. Embrace it.

Nikki - posted on 02/04/2009

I put my youngest in a toddler bed at 12 months. I say give that a try.

Heather - posted on 02/04/2009

Sounds like it's time for a toddler bed. It's safer at this point.

Elaine - posted on 02/04/2009

I did that when I was kid.  My parents just left the side down.  That way I couldn't roll out, but when I did climb out it wasn't as far of a climb. 

Claire - posted on 02/04/2009

You can try putting her in a toddler bed with a bed rail.

Claire - posted on 02/04/2009

You can try putting her in a toddler bed with a bed rail.