Hi Moms-
I have been considering either taking the side of my son's crib off to make it into his toddler bed or just making it a full size bed now. My question is...what did other moms do? What kind of safety barrier did you use to make sure your child didn't fall out of bed? Just looking for some input!
Thanks!
Thanks so much for all of the moms that took time out to respond. So appreciated!! We considered everyones advice and I do think we are going to wait a bit longer. My reasoning for considering moving him from the crib at all is b/c he is tall! He often hits his head, gets his legs caught in the slots when stretching, etc. That's why I was hestitant to even bother going to toddler bed b/c it's not going to make his bed any bigger...
I think there was a bit of confusion on that. We are not buying any new beds. His bed is a convertible bed so I was either going to take the side off so it will be a toddler bed or just convert it to a full size bed. We already have a full size mattress so buying anything else would be silly...especially b/c we don't have the money for that.
Anyhow...I think we are going to wait to switch to the toddler bed over the holidays while we are all home and see how that goes. We do have a gate that we will put up for his safety as well. When we think he has that down...we will switch to the full size mostly b/c of his size. Otherwise...I have to agree with Tara...if it isn't broke...don't fix it! So we will be waiting:) Thanks again for your stories!
We actually just put the twin mattress directly on the floor for a month or so with pillows beside it. I think he fell out twice and then never did again.
I know you've already posted what you've decided, and if it works for you, great. I did want to add another vote in favor of moving him out though. All of my kid moved to a twin bed at about 18 months and did great. We just put the bed in a corner of the room (so 2 sides were against walls) and put a bed rail on the open long side. We did gate the room, just to make sure they were safe if they woke at night, but honestly they stayed in the bed just fine. In fact, for a long time they would stay in the bed in the morning until I came to get them (just like when they were in the crib). Two of them did start indicating they were thinking of climbing out, but the other it just seemed like the right time.
One thing I would I definitely look at, though, is if your son is too tall to be safe in the crib. I believe the recommendation is that once their mid-chest reaches the top of the crib, you should move them. Even if they are not trying to climb out, a child who is tall enough can tumble out if they are leaning over the edge for a dropped toy, etc.
Totally go with what is right for you, but just wanted to add another experience for consideration.
My 16 month old daughter decided one night that she HATED her crib, so I started putting her to sleep just on her crib mattress on the floor to see how she did with staying on it all night. When she stayed on all night long, it took a week or so, I went ahead and converted her bed to a toddler bed- she was so happy it went very well.
If the boy isn't too big for the crib (check crib manual or online for max size/height) then keep him in his crib as long as possible for safety reasons. If you need to take him out of the crib, transition to the toddler bed first. I can only imagine how nutso a child would go if they went directly to a full size bed, not even a twin, lol. I know mine would be using it as a trampoline for starters. Plus, you lose a lot of room putting a full size bed in a child's room. Start with the toddler to adjust them to being out of a crib with no more confinement. If a bed guard wasn't supplied with the bed, you'll want to put pillows on the floor cuz he will fall out a few times until he gets used to it. I don't know how high up it is but you may need a stool for him to climb up into it if it's too high to climb on his own. Put a gate up in the doorway so that he won't be coming down the hall finding Mom and Dad during the night. If he's potty training put a gate just to where the bathroom is so he can go there. Or put a gate at the end of the hall or top of the stairs, however your house is set up. The idea is to keep him from being able to roam all over the house whenever he pleases until he gets used to staying put.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
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I would NOT take the side of the crib and call it a big boy bed. I would, however, move him right to a twin sized bed. Don't bother spending money on a youth bed that he will outgrow. But the twin sized bed and he can use it through high school. (odd to picture that happening at this point, isn't it ?)
If you are worried about falling out - and yes, it WILL happen - put the crib mattress on the floor by the bed, so when he falls out, he lands gently. Put the other side against the wall. You'll probably want to put sheets on the bottom of the crib mattress and on the top, cuz you can wash them, and the mattress will stay clean for the next baby. ;-)
My youngest was in a twin bed at 16 month after we moved into out house.
I just used a fisher price bed rail and he was fine. It was long enough where he couldn't fall out but short enough that if he needed me at night or was awake in the morning he could get out and come get me.
My 3 older children had to be moved into a toddler bed/twin bed between 18-20 months because they were climbing out. Now my youngest will be 2 in 2 weeks and has yet to climb out. So, I am just going with the flow for this one.
With my oldest, I purchased a toddler bed. She did fine in that. Then with the next 2 I decided to just try putting them directly into a twin bed. I purchased safety rails (about $20) and put them on both sides. It worked fine. NO problems. And it saved money from not having to buy a toddler bed and bedding. It also saved in the hassle of setting up a toddler bed for a year or so to just get a twin. In the end it's up to you. But I would recommend going right for a twin. Just make sure to purchase safetl rails for the sides and have a step stool by the bed to help him climb in.
Good Luck!
Another vote here for crib til he's climbing out. Even til he's 3 or 3-1/2!
No more crib=LOTS more issues--like Karen said--wandering at night, un-gated stairs, safety issues,etc. I don't think what type of bed you choose matters--twin, full, queen--your choice when he's ready. The biggest mistake I think people make is moving them too soon before they can grasp the concept of staying in a bed.
IMO (and I bought O.!) toddler beds are a waste. Most people don't realize til after they buy a toddler bed & some standard rails that standard rails are NOT to be used with a crib mattress (toddler bed) so if I were you and you're SURE he's ready and you're ready, I'd just convert the crib to full size & get some rails for the sides. Good luck!
Why do you want to switch him? My youngest was in his crib until he was 4! He loved it and even now that he is 7, he says he misses it. He never tried to climb out, I think he liked the security and coziness of it. He was a big boy in every other way, done with bottles at 15 months, and potty trained just before 3. The other consideration for keeping them in a crib longer, is potty training. Accidents when sleeping during a nap or night time is quick and easy to clean up, no mattresses to have to clean somehow. Just change the sheets and keep going.
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I have to say that if you are going to have other children i would go with the toddler bed. They do not have far to fall when they roll out and it feels so secure for them. It is absolutley not a waste of money if you can use it again. A nice wood one is not that expensive. Not only did i use it for my kids, i am about to pass it to my nephew.
If you are going to go to the twin bed there are rails that you can buy, i tried them many years ago. From what i remember they used to slip out. They may have better now though.
I am one of the mom's that is an advocate of big girl/big boy bed. How can we get rid of diapers and bottles and still keep them in their "baby" bed? They love to feel big. Your son will be so excited and you can take him to pick his favorite bedding :)
We just moved our 2 year old (26 months) into his big boy bed in his new room. We need our crib for our new baby coming in October. So far the transition has gone really well (3 nights in the bed so far!). He is in a twin with a bed rail. We have the room gated at night and for naps. The first nap was the hardest . . . took a few tries to get him to stay in the bed. Only got out of bed the first night and cried cause I think he got disoriented, but was happy to get back in bed. Naps and nighttime have gone well since and I check on him a couple times at night. We talked up the room and the bed as we were redoing it for him this summer, so I think he was excited to be in there. I was hesitant about switching him to a bed, too, but I'm glad we did. The bed rail is the Summer brand - it folds down during the day.
