New crib or new toddler bed when a new baby arrives?

Mazy - posted on 03/16/2012

#2 was born when #1 was 18 months. A few months before the new baby arrived, we converted the crib to a toddler bed so he was used to it. He had no issues whatsoever about beign in an open bed. The new baby slept in a bassinet & coslept until just before 6 months. At that point we got a twin bed for #1 & made the toddler bed a crib again for #2. Again, there were no transitional issues. We'll be doing the same thing when #3 comes along.

Natasia - posted on 03/16/2012

i would just buy another crib we bought convertable cribs

Stifler's - posted on 03/16/2012

I bought a toddler bed and put my 14 month old into it (baby came when he was 16 months). I wasn't going to buy 2 cots when he could nearly jump out of it. It depends on the child.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 03/16/2012

Totally for getting another crib. My son was well over 2 1/2 before he was ready for a toddler bed. Infact, he was almost 3.

Sherri - posted on 03/16/2012

@Gioconda that article to me is ridiculous I will continue to use a crib it is a much better and safer option. Yes I am restricting my child and it is for their own safety I am perfectly fine with it.

Melissa - posted on 03/16/2012

Buy another crib, the best ones are the one's that converts as they get older. You don't want your 18 month old to have sleep issues with a new sibling and changing that routine at this juncture may do that. It's preferrable to keep them in a crib as long as they are content and not trying to climb out, etc.

Gioconda - posted on 03/16/2012

You may find this article http://mariamontessori.com/mm/?p=921 of interest regarding the crib question.

Donna - posted on 03/16/2012

I think 18 months is a little young for a toddler bed. At that age I would want to know my kids are safe at night and won't be able to get out of bed. Can you put the new baby in a bassinet until your oldest is ready for a bed and then put baby her crib?

Patty - posted on 03/16/2012

First off, do you have a cradle for the new baby? If you do, that would give you more time to make a decision. Every child is different. If you think the toddler is ready, get the bed ready for her/him before the baby arrives, so you are not dealing with alot of changes at once. I would have a bed rail for the toddler bed, and a small stepping stool. Good luck and congratulations! PK in Texas

Larissa - posted on 03/16/2012

I would cosleep with new baby for a couple months then move 18month old to a bed. My girls are 18mo apart and we moved my now 3 yr old to her bed when she started climbing out around 20-22 months.

Sherri - posted on 03/15/2012

I say buy a new crib as she could be in it until she is 3. My oldest two are 18mo's apart and we had two cribs because of this reason.

Brittany - posted on 03/15/2012

I did both. I bought my daughter a twin sized bed and a new crib for the new baby. Her old crib was falling appart and it needed to be replaced. She has no attachment for the new crib so she doesn't care that my son is in it. She was completely transitioned to the new bed before the baby came.



It honestly made life easier all around, be it expensive.

Amy - posted on 03/15/2012

I would just buy a crib that eventually converts. By giving the newborn the crib that was your daughters you could potentially have some jealousy/control issues with your 18 month old. Not only that but if she's not ready you're going to end up purchasing a new crib anyway. They also say that if you're going to do something like giving the newborn the crib you should do it a couple months before the babies arrival so your oldest has no association of newborn taking away her crib.

Bonnie - posted on 03/15/2012

I have two boys. My first was switched to a toddler bed at 20 months and my second was switched to a toddler bed at 18 months. We had no problems whatsoever. I would just get a toddler bed for her and switch her now so she has time to get use to it before the baby gets here. Otherwise, buy another crib that converts into a bed so this way you won't be spending extra money for a short period of time.

Elfrieda - posted on 03/15/2012

My 2 year old is still in his crib and loving it. I would buy another crib, just to make your life easier. (some toddlers seem to adapt to sleeping in a bed no problem, but others have issues, which you don't want to deal with while hugely pregnant or dealing with a newborn.)



Don't bother with the toddler bed convertable crib because you already have one and your younger child can use that when your daughter moves to a big bed.

Brianna - posted on 03/15/2012

if u i would by another crib but one that can be converted into a toddler bed (and those convertable cribs usually convert even into a double bed frame when the kids are older aswell)



my 28 month old is a handful trying to keep her in her big girl bed i cant imagine a 18 month old lol