Advice or Tips for Crib-to-bed Conversion

Hi M.,
I understand what you are going through. If you fell it's time to move him, then do it. Be aware that it may be a challenge for ALL of you! He will be able to get up, walk around, explore the house, etc. We moved our son to a toddler bed at about 2. He was not climbing out and I wish I had waited longer. He didn't like the toddler bed (for sleeping!) and we ended up turning his room into O. big crib! We had to put blankets & pillows all over the floor because he would not sleep in the bed! Once aslppe, we would put him in but would go bacvk to the floor several times per night. Also, be aware that you can't use most bed rails on a toddler bed (surprise to us!) so you might want to go right to a regular bed with rail(s). We ended up putting a gate at his door because I didn't want him wandering around at night and his bedroom door was at the top of our stairs. The video monitors are GREAT and I would never be without O.. My advice to you: if he is not CLIMBING out--leave him in there. Lower the mattress all the way down. Good luck to you whatever you decide!

Hi. Our son is very active and into everything. So, when we moved him we were definitely nervous. We ended up putting him in a room that was basically a mattress on the floor, a rug, some books and stuffed animals. No dresser or anything else to climb on...very baby proof! We made a big deal out of it and he got pretty excited about his big boy bed. It went better than expected. He usually sleeps in the bed. Sometimes he's on the carpet or rolls out of the bed, but it is no big deal. We eventually plan to raise the mattress up with the box spring and then the frame once he gets a little older.

I just switched my son to a toddler bed a couple months ago when he was 17 mo old. We had the same problem with him jumping and climbing out. We also have a convertible crib and put up the toddler rail (though I don't think it's necessary if your's doesn't come with one). He LOVES his "big boy bed!!" He enjoys the freedom of being able to get in and out of bed when he chooses. This was difficult for naps for about 2 weeks after he made the change. I would make him stay in his room for 1 hr at nap. He would play for a while, but almost alway fell asleep during that time. Bedtime was easier. He would "read" in his bed for a bit, but usually fell asleep without problem. One change we had to make was putting a gate outside his bedroom door (he's always slept with the door closed) because he was able to open it. He didn't like that at first, but after a couple weeks he adjusted to that too.

As for jumping, we still let him jump on his bed (but not regular beds) and it makes it a "fun" place to be!

I saw in your profile that you might be interested in playdates. It doesn't say where you live, but you might want to check out www.momsclub.org to find your local chapter. It started as a group for stay-at-home moms, but most chapters have many working moms and schedule afternoon and weekend playdates. Let me know if you'd like more information.

Good luck with the bed transition!

Hi,
We put my duaghter into her 'big girl bed"(a twin bed) when she was a little over 2 yrs, and we talked it up for weeks, we even went to a couple of stores and let her get in the big beds. one even had princess blankets, it took me 30 minutes to get her to leave that time. We also made a big deal when we bought the sheets. Then we put up the side rails, we got ours at toys r us, they have the mesh sides, and those stay on her bed. We kept her routine just the same, the first couple nights she would get up and just kinda stand at the edge of the bed, and I would go to the door and say in my stern voice, get back to bed young lady, and that worked, but it took about a week for her to realize she needed to stay in it. She does just fine now. I also put a sturdy little tykes chair near the end of her bed, and a kid size anywhere chair next to her bed in case she wants to get out.
I also let her pick out the material I used to make her duvet cover, she loved that! My son, we put him in a car bed at 18 months, only because it was given to us for free... and he did fine with that as well.
Good luck!

Hi. Keep it simple and straigh forward. Child proof the room and limit the number of toys to two or three stuffed animals. Don't be surprised if he gets out of bed and plays in his room for a bit (we always had a good night light on the dresser (we actually taped the cord to the back of the dresser to keep it safer) make sure that you have the anti-tip brackets on any dressers in the room so that he can't pull them over on himself. Don't be surprised if he falls asleep on the carpet, or in front of the babygate. One of the best gifts that you can give a child is the ability to go to sleep on their own, in their own room, in their own bed. If he falls asleep on the floor just pick him and put him in bed, he'll get the hang of it in a few days. Good luck and best wishes!!