My little guy turned two almost a month ago. He does know how to climb out of the crib but only when he get's up in the morning otherwise he's stayed put. When would you consider moving your two year old to a bed? My DH wants to set-up a regular bed with the guard rails we used for our first two. What do you think?
I second Mamazita -- twin mattress on the floor is a great first step. Those guardrails (at least the mesh ones that are shaped like an L that slides under the mattress) are a colossal pain when changing sheets, plus I always had to stuff blankets in the cracks and whatnot to keep them snug. If he rolls onto the floor from a twin mattress, no big deal. Starting without guardrails will help him learn to stay in the bed when it is up higher.
We always started with a twin mattress on the floor, at around 18 months with each one :)
My dude's doing the same thing. I dropped the side of the crib all the way down, for now, because he still needs the security of the 4 sides, BUT, he CAN climb in and out of need be. It's the equivalent to hopping over a bed rail, really.
Both my older kids were in a toddler bed before they were a year old, and my eldest was in a regular bed before she was 2 with no bed rails. I think, based on past experience, the best way to switch it to just DO IT, you know, like ripping off a band aid ;)
No matter what you put him in, with or without rails, he'll adjust! :)
If he knows how to climb out, I'd say switch now.
If he's good at staying put even though he CAN climb out, then you can hope that he will be good about staying put in a big boy bed!
We just switched my 21 month old son a couple weeks ago to a twin bed with guardrails. It was a rough week with naps, but he's now doing really well! We just stayed really consistent with telling him to "stay in bed until mommy comes back in!" and putting him back in when he would get out and I think (fingers crossed!) he gets it!
I would leave him IF he stays in for the night. If you feel he's ready, you know your child and his maturity, then do it now. I put our kids in a twin bed frame on a board cut at Lowes' or Home Depot ( they cut it free ) and it acts like a bunky board so you don't need a box spring. Then put a twin mattress on top and it's a short fall if they do fall out and they can do more on like sit and it's easier to get in and out for them. You can vacuum under it then too. Plus you can put pans of toys, etc. under the bed frame that way. They can learn to make their own bed early too. You can also use those guard rails on this arrangement if you want to.
He' too old for a toddler bed so the only option is to go to a regular bed. Toddler beds are for toddlers and your child is now a pre-schooler. He will get the idea and be just fine.
I woud make the move now--my 2 yr old also only climbed out in the morning--until the one time he did it in the middle of the night and fell and hurt himself. You never know when he's going to get more advertureous, so better safe than sorry.
