Should I Move My 2 Year Old to a Single Bed???

I moved my son to a big-boy bed when he was 2 to prepare the crib for my daughter who arrived 3 months later. We did not have a second crib. Also, my son didn't sleep though the night in the crib. He slept so much better in the big boy bed, we wished we had done it earlier! Plus, it gave him a sense of growing up to not be in the baby bed anymore. This helped eliminate the displacement feeling when baby sister arrived. He was excited to show her her bed and room when we brought her home. We never had problems with him crawling out of bed (and we might well be in the minority there). He did cry out for us, just as when he was in the crib. We'd go in to settle him and he'd go back to sleep. A very tight bedtime routine helped us: once you get into bed, you stay there until morning time. He still doesn't get out of bed at night and has been potty trained since 2.5 years. He's four now, and is asking when his baby sister can sleep in a big girl bed in his room!

Our bed for him has a head and foot board and we pushed one long side up to the wall and stuffed the space with extra blankets. We also used an extra long bed rail from One Step Ahead. There was a small gap that allowed him to get in and out of the bed near the foot. Only once did he ever fall out. He fell halfway out, head first and we have no idea how that happened.

Use the time you have now to prepare him. You won't have much time to do so later, and he might get jealous of new baby.

Good luck!

Dear A.,

I kept my kids in the crib as long as I could I just felt it was the safest place for them. My secretary just tried with her two year old because she had another baby and wanted to get her out of the pack and play. She said the first night was great, the second and third she got up all night so needless to say she is back in the crib. I think it is really up to you and how firm you intend to be. For safety reasons you can get a gate so this way if she does get out of bed she cannot leave her room, safety is my biggest concern. Each child is different some kids love going into a bed and when mom and dad set the rules they obey and then other kids realize wow I can get out of here WOHOOO!! I have a little boy in my daycare that his mom would find him up watching TV at 4 in the morning so she had to gate him in. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Both of my boys went to a big boy bed when they were around 18mos. The first one had no problems -- he was a big time move and he just adjusted perfectly, my other boy who is now 22 mos he has been in a bed since June actually and he fell out the first 2 nights and at times he moves and I find him in strange positions, but they really like being able to get in and out like big boys. It was a great decision for our family, in fact the boys asked for it. I would definitely get him used to it now before the new baby comes. So right now we are in NJ temporarily so we have 2 twins that are pretty low and a bumper (other side against the wall) from WalMart on the one for my youngest and it works out great! We have used a mattress on the floor in other places out of fear if he falls it may hurt! Best of Luck!

HI A.,
I would keep him in the crib until he is atleast 3yrs especially if u have a new baby coming along I have 3 children My oldest son was close to 3 when we transitioned him and it took a while to go to a big boy bed he liked buzz lightyear so we got him a buzz bed which was right on the floor kind of like a blow up raft and he loved that than when he was a bit older got him his own bed my son jake who is 2 1/2 now sleeps well in his crib we just did the potty training thing since sept he is trained now thank god and I have a daughter who is 17mths so we had alot going on I dont want to take him out of his crib yet til 3yrs old cause he is fine in there no problems if i put him in a bed than i think he will be running in my room etc it will be a mess at this stage we are not ready for it especially since my dtr is not the best sleeper either

Do what u feel is best for your family with baby #2 coming I would keep him where he is if he is comfortable with it hopefully the bumpers will work w/ the banging

goodluck D.

Were like two peas in a pod hahah. I have a two year old daughter she just turned two a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking the same thing I also am having another baby in 9 weeks! She is not climbing out at all don't think she ever will she sleeps so well during the day and night. she does wake up once in a while crying and i do hear banging on the bed but she sleeps all over the place. Don't do it until he does climb out because he may not sleep well and you don't want to be up with him and the new one. Wait until he turns 3 and he understands more and you can both pick out bedding and sheets that are fun for him. Hope this helps:) Is he still on the pacifer?

i dont want to give advice about the whole crib vs bed thing, i havent done great with it myself. however, i just wanted to say to please be sure he is safe. he will likely be able to climb out soon, and the bumpers just give him something to stand on. there wont be a warning, or anything, one day he will just do it, likely way before you think he can. if you are going to keep him in, i would strongly recommend the crib tent, i have used it with all 3 of mine, dont know what i would do without it. good luck, D.