We are having a problem with my 21 month old son sleeping in his Toddler bed. We had to change him over to a Toddler bed because we are expecting a little one in about 5 weeks so we need to use the crib for the new baby. We originally moved him into a new room and the toddler bed but he wouldn't fall asleep and if he woke he was in a state of terror. So we moved him back into his old room and put the toddler bed in there. He no longer wakes in terror but does cry for Mommy or Daddy to come. The problem we are having is when he was sleeping in the crib we could put him down (bedtime or naptime) in the crib, say "nite nite" and he would promptly fall asleep on his own. Now with the toddler bed he cries when you put him down and need to stay in the room with him until he falls asleep. When he wakes in the middle of the night we need to go and do the same thing. My husband and I can't keep doing this especially when the baby comes. Does anyone have any ideas on what we can do to get him back in his old routine of falling asleep on his own without having to buy another crib?
My two oldest are 16 months apart. We bought a second crib. It worked out well. Then when my daughter was ready we put her in a toddler bed.
Hi T. -
My second son did the same thing to me. He wasn't "safe" in the crib anymore (i.e. would always try to climb out) so a toddler bed was the solution. He too would give us trouble going to bed in his new bed (when before it was a piece of cake). Stick to your guns. It will take sometime (it was almost 2 months for us) but he will get it and be ok. Remind him that he is such a big boy and that his new bed is very special.
Best of luck!!
When my son was 2 1/2 we put him in the toddler bed so that his sister could have the crib. It was a nightmare! The baby slept great and he was up constantly. He was just out and about all night long. After many months, I put a gate at his bedroom door, made sure his room was as safe as it could be and ignored him when he got up. He always wound up back in his bed and once I did that he stopped getting out of it after a few days.
My son was older so it may not work for you, he may just need the security of his crib, but it could be worth a try.
Can you put him back to his crib for another 6 mos and put the new baby in a bassinett or packNplay in your room?
Hey T.,
I know this seems so hard and sometimes it seems never-ending!! I have a three year old that does the same thing. He was great in his crib, we could put him down and no problem. Now he is up every five minutes (it seems like!)
I've found that if we have a nightly ritual, brushing teeth, story, prayers that kind of thing, bedtime isn't that hard. But if one of us ( the husband, in my case) gives in and lets him get up and read another story or something, it takes forever to get him settled.
Whatever you do, be consistant! When my husband is at work, my boy has no problem going to bed for me.
Good luck! and congrats on your new arrival soon!
M.
Hi T., I agree with the other ladies. I really think you should give your son his crib back, he's not ready yet for a toddler bed. Even though he's young, he may have resentment issues if you take his crib away when he's not ready to give it up and give it to the new baby. My son is 2 years 10 months old and he still sleeps in a crib because he's not ready for a big boy bed yet. When our little girl came home from Guatemala in March (she's 14 months now), there was no way I could take the crib away from my son to give it to her. He would've be so resentful of her that she took his crib! So, we just bought a used crib from someone for $40, and everyone is happy!
I am expecting my 4 child in Jan. So we need the crib and my youngest is 20mnth. Nowing that we are of need of the crib we started her early. We also have a nite light that sits next to her bed. We bought one of those salt water fish lights that u can get in the light dept of Walmart. Have you tried a nite light that might put pic on the wall? Sometimes it is hard, and it dose get better. Best of luck.
He isn't two (I know some people move their children before, but...) he doesn't seem ready to make this move yet. It is just my opinion, but I think you need to move him back to his crib- it is going to make life when the new baby comes a lot easier for you- and for him. (one less thing for him to adjust to) Your newborn will probably sleep in a bassinet for awhile anyway, so that gives you some time to scout around for another crib for her/him. If you really can't afford a cheaper model crib, do you have any friends that have had babies in the past and would let you borrow their crib for a bit if they are done having children or are between children? Bottom line- you need to do what is right for everyone, and your son is letting you know that this isn't right for him yet. And if he isn't happy, no one is going to be happy! Best of luck!
I agree... could you put the new baby in a bassinet for a couple months?
my son outgrew his crib at 13 months (he was getting his legs stuck in the bars) and he slept with me for a couple months and then I decided that if he could sleep in my bed he could sleep in a bed of his own. he did great with it. there is a night light on the top and when he would wake up in the middle of the night he could turn it on and see everything. he usually laid back down and fell asleep. could you get one of those lights that pushes on and show him how to use it?
Hi T.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents. My daughter was very mature for her age in most ways. She is now 3 and just went into a bed at 2 1/2. She needed that security. We also had a baby when she was 18 months old but I just picked up a cheap crib. If you seriously can't afford, and you live close, you are welcome to our 2nd crib. It has a nice mattress and is a very sturdy crib.
Let me know.
S.
I put my newborn in a bassinet for a couple of months, by then my son went in a toddler bed. He never napped again after the transition. Maybe your son needs a couple more months in the crib.
T.
SAHM of 3 and 4 year old
T.,
I feel your pain! :)
We moved our son out of his crib too early, too. He loved his crib but we kept being asked "when is he getting big bed? etc etc. It was a nightmare. We ended up having to put a gate at his door. He slept on the FLOOR for months. He hated the toddler bed. You might be better off with a twin bed with rail/s. In the end, his whole room was like a big crib! Gate on the door and blankets and pillows all over the floor.
