When to upgrade to a big girl bed?

Diane - posted on 08/07/2010

i totally agree with the "climbing out" thing as when to get a new bed or if your child is 2.. I think that is what is "recommended" but all children are different. Good luck!

Miranda - posted on 07/30/2010

I kept my daughter in the crib until she could climb out on her own. For safety reasons I would recommend any mom wait as long as possible for this transition. She may look uncomfortable to you but if she is still sleeping through her smooshed up state she is fine. Once you move to the "big girl bed" the entire room must also be ready for night time exploration unsupervised. We didn't make the move until our little one was almost three - she was on the short side and content in her crib longer than most. Going on a shopping trip for her to pick out her own bedding did make the transition more pleasant when it was time. Other than that consistency and a good bed time routine is key. I sure do hope this helps a little and good luck...

Gabrielle - posted on 07/30/2010

Melissa, you can move her into a big girl bed or keep her in the crib--either is "normal" at this age. But I don't think how she sleeps is an indicator that she needs a bigger bed. Babies often do that when they sleep. I agree with your husband about it being more difficult to keep your child contained in a regular bed or toddler bed. I've heard many horror stories, so we'll be keeping our daughter in her crib as long as possible (meaning around 23 months or so, since we're currently expecting our second child). I would happily keep her in her crib throughout her second year, but it's not an option! I love that she is contained in her crib and room right now, so when she wakes up, she can spend time playing in her crib for a bit before I go to her. It'll be much harder once I move her.

Christy - posted on 07/30/2010

We have a convertible crib that has a small rail at the head, which my son initially fell out of a time or two but has been doing well since he was a little over a year. Now we are going to have to get him a twin bed as he is too wiggly, but will use the guard rails when we do initially. Maybe try and make it a special and exciting event and if she's ready she might get excited too. Good luck.

Keri - posted on 07/30/2010

I think as long as she isn't climbing out she is probably just fine in the crib a while longer. She may end up smooshed into the corner of a big girl bed too. It may just be the way she moves at night. If you think you will have trouble keeping her in a big girl bed keep her in the crib a while longer.

Aneliese - posted on 07/30/2010

LOL a cot and a crib is the same thing.. In New Zealand we say cot. :)

Christa - posted on 07/30/2010

What is the difference between a crib and a cot? My 2 1/2 year is still in her crib. I was recently thinking that it was time to transition out of it.
Is it better to go with a twin bed to save money in the long run?

Aneliese - posted on 07/30/2010

I would keep her in a cot, my 17 month old daughter does the same, doesn't mean shes ready for a bed though.
If you think about it, she has plenty of room in a cot, she could go anywhere in it, same as a bed.

Kathy - posted on 07/30/2010

My daughter never tried climbing out of her crib but lord did she look uncomfortable in her crib! We bought a plain white toddler bed and extra mattress and put it in her room. We gave her the choice and told her she had to stay in the big girl bed just like the crib. She took a nap in it. She LOVED it but wouldn't let us take down her crib. A month later, we told her if she let us take her crib down, we would let her go pick out new bedding her big girl bed (the sets were on sale). She is in! She even helped. Down came the crib-bed got moved-to the store we went! Some new bedding and she was happy and sleeping in her bed all the time. Wish it went that easy with her little brother. LOL

Sally - posted on 07/30/2010

my son was in a bed at 13 months, never had a problem with him, had a baby gate up at the door.

Charlotte - posted on 07/30/2010

My daughter went into a toddler bed - used crib mattress - and was close to the ground - when she was about 20 months. I did not have a problem. She slept in her own room with the shut - occasional tears but she was usually too tired from playing hard all day.

Amber - posted on 07/30/2010

I put my daughter into her big girl bed just about a month ago, she's just 16 mo but hated her crib would scream and climb out every time I put her in it. So into the big girl bed she went and have not had a bit of trouble, she'll wake up and cry for me but does not get out of her bed at night even though she's more than capable. Good luck with what ever decision you make only you know what your child is ready for.

Jenny - posted on 07/30/2010

I've been debating this very issue with my husband. We have started potty training, and she has been trying to climb in her crib when she is tired. But, my husband isn't ready for that change...LOL. Good luck!! I know we all need it!!

Kelly - posted on 07/30/2010

Is smooshed because she likes to cuddle or might be chilly? I'd say keep her in her crib as long as you can because once you move her that's it!

Chandra - posted on 07/27/2010

I moved my daughter to a big girl bed at 18 months. Put a baby gate up in her door way to stop her from coming to bug you. Make sure her dresser or anything she can crawl on or over are hooked to the walls for safety. Also make sure her toys are ALL taken care of before bed. It will take a while for her to get the point, my daughter would cry n cry at the gate then end up passing out on the floor. But I would move her to her bed.
ALSO if you have hard floors, make sure to put soemthing soft on the ground below her bed just in case she falls out. OR buy a bed gate, to help her not roll off (can be found at Walmart or any store really)

Callie - posted on 07/27/2010

I switched my son into a toddler bed when he was 2. It was hard the first couple nights because he kept getting out and coming into our room. But you just keep putting them back in their bed. When we first put his bed up we let him jump on it and I think it took to it better. He has a nightlight too, but I don't think he really cares about it because he can sleep without it to. But I do think the first time they sleep in the bed should be during a nap that way you're awake to comfort them if they aren't to sure about it.

Sherri - posted on 07/25/2010

If she is not climbing out DO NOT MOVE HER!!! Things are much harder when they are moved naps, bedtimes and just keeping them in there beds. I say not until close to 3 if she isn't climbing out.

Sharon - posted on 07/25/2010

My daughter was 1 1/2 years old when we got her a twin bed but her crib was a convertable one so we just converted that to a toddler bed for her. Bascially she didn't have enough room and would wake up in the middle of the night unable to stretch; whine and crawl into bed with us. My mom on the other hand bypassed the toddler bed after her crib was recalled and just purchased a twin bed.....only my daughter sleeps there other then her dogs so no biggie.

Christina - posted on 07/25/2010

Ocean is 20 months old still in her crib but with my son I transitioned him when i heard a thud early one morning and he came running into my room laughing "Mama"..lol...when he could get out is when I figured it was time for a big boy bed..lol..Toddler beds use the same size mattress as cribs so i dont think its a size issue and Ocean I am finding in weird little corners as well, I think she just moves around alot more now.

Joanne - posted on 07/25/2010

hi, my daughter is 2 n half on 3rd august and she has been in a bed since she was between 18 and 20 month.....i started off by taking the side off her cot.....i had no problems with her getting out of bed but she had a few nights where she fell out...she never hurt herself it just scared her abit as she had fallen while asleep. i didnt get scared and put the side back on...i knew in time she would learn that there wasnt anything to hold her in bed anymore and she proved me right. then when my son was born and needed the cot my daughter was upgraded to a childs first bed, which are rather low and not far from the floor so there wasnt much difference in height.....now a year on she loves her bed adn i am considering getting her a brand new bed as she loves playing and jumping on my bed lol.....then my son will have her bed....he is 18 month but due to him been born a month early i dont think he will be ready for a bed for while yet....maybe not until he is 2.....hope ive helped with ur decision....just try it and perservere, dont give up if she falls out or wont stay in bed, be strong and firm and if it helps stay with her until she falls asleep for the first few times...sit and read a story while she drinks her milk or something!!

Shelly - posted on 07/24/2010

I upgraded to a big girl bed with my 2 1/2 year old, I must say it has been a huge hit as a dog bed :( LOL. My girl wakes up confused in the middle of the night & comes running and screaming for me. For us it will be a work in progress for a long time. I think most people must be having better luck than me. Her bed in even in our bedroom & it is not helping.

Connie - posted on 07/23/2010

i upgraded to big beds when the girls learned how to get out of the little ones lol. i used a net guard rail that was the length of the side of the bed or almost to help they get use to it. good luck and God bless

Angela - posted on 07/23/2010

My daughter was 18 months old when she decided she wanted to sleep in a toddler bed. I had both in her room for a few months at that point, and she pointed to it, it did take a few times of putting her back on it, but not bad at all, just stayed consistent. When she finally decided she wanted to, she took a nap there, then wanted to sleep in her crib that night. By the next day, she wanted her toddler bed, and never went back to the crib again. We gave it about 3 days, and took the crib out We did make sure her room was completely child proof, (shelves braced to walls, along with dressers, outlets covered), then put a baby gate up on her doorway, so if she did get up, she would stay in her room. It worked great for her. Now my son is 20 months, have both toddler bed and crib in his room. He has taken 3 naps on his bed, but won't stay on his bed anymore, he wants his crib. So will keep in in there a few more months, and try it again. He will let me know when he is ready. If you have a crib that turns into a toddler bed, it might be a litle more difficult. I hope this helps. Good luck on making your decision.

Casey - posted on 07/23/2010

my son is 23 months old and has just gone into a big boy bed and it's been a bit testing to say the least lol, I wouldn't bother doing it untill she starts trying to get out of the cot cause it is very difficult to keep them in it and I think if they are just that little bit older they are a little easier to communicate with and reason with, but in saying this all kids are different and she might respond just fine to it.
Before you do put her into a big bed make sure you have a safety side rail and a safety gate for her door so when she does get up during the night shes still contained to her room otherwise she'll be running around the house at all hours of the night like our son was for the first few nights.
If she still fits fine in her cot then I would leave her in it, if shes bumping into the sides and corners and it's becoming a problem with waking her up then maybe get her a cot bumper and shes not really at any risk of sids anymore.