Switch to Toddler Bed Before New Baby???

I switched my son to a big boy bed when he was a little over 2 1/2 (technically 31 months). Like you, I was expecting baby #2 at the time, and did not want my son to have to deal with the upheaval of having a new sibling as well as moving into a big bed all at once. The transition was extremely easy and he was very excited to have a big boy bed (we made a big deal out of it and let him choose the new sheets). By the time the baby came a couple months later, he had totally forgotten that he ever slept in the crib and considered it the baby's. My son never got out of his new bed, and had no change at all in his sleep pattern. I was glad we switched him when we did.

I would switch now - he's plenty old enough. I'm expecting #2 in a month and we switched my son (who turns 2 this week) back in February. He does GREAT with a "big boy" bed. There was really less than a week of hassle and that was because I put my foot down about not sitting in his room while he fell asleep, so I had to sleep-train that aspect of the putting-to-bed process (he would fall asleep just fine by himself in his crib).

We hyped it up by getting him some train sheets, etc. He sleeps from about 7:30-6:30 or 7 and naps just fine.

Hi J.-

I've got to respond to you because I had the same question about 2 months ago! I think you've just got to go with your gut feeling. I am having #2 in Oct, Baby #1 will be 21 mo. I decided to get a second crib after a lot of stressing and planning. haha, I had a grand plan of how things would go then finally I was like, I don't know if I want to try anything new for my lil girl with a new baby coming. I'm just going to see how things go, October is a long way off, but for my own sanity I chose the 2nd crib. Of course, when I asked the question on Mamasouce, I got 86 replies and they all said I could switch to a bed so it can be done. Only you know your child and their comfort level though, so in the end you decide what is right for you!

Good luck, A.

I had to respond because I just went through this. I'm expecting baby #2 in mid-July and my daughter is currently 26 months. My ped. suggested moving her to her big girl room before the baby comes to avoid any issues once the baby was here. So, here's what I did... I made my daughter very involved in the process of creating her big girl room. It was completed for about a week and we spent a lot of time reading books and playing in there. Then, I moved her crib in there as well (as new baby will sleep in a bassinet in my room for first 3 months). Since my DD isn't climbing out of her crib and, like you, I didn't want to deal with a transition of a toddler getting in/out of bed - and dealing with a newborn - this was the best solution for me. My plan is to transition my DD from her crib to her bed before the baby is 3 months old. So - it might be extra steps by transitioning first to the room and then to the actual bed, but this is what worked best for us (and my sanity!). My DD has been doing very well in her big girl room. The first night took about 1 1/2 hours to fall asleep and each night has gotten a little better. Last night was only about 10 minutes to fall asleep on her own. Hope that helps. Good luck!

My son is 18 months old and started climbing out of his bed last month. He fell flat on his head and screamed. I was terrified! I took all the blankets etc out of his bed, made sure he was alright and put him back to bed, and don't ya know he did it a second time, so I decided before he hurt himself to switch him to a toddler bed. It hasn't been easy, but I put the bed up against the wall so one side of the bed and bottom are inaccessable. Then i got that bed rail thing, and i just lay him in it, tell him I love you it's night night time and he will scream for about ten or fifteen minutes, but he always falls asleep, and never climbs out of it, and if he does somehow manage to get out, i have our baby gate up at all times now just incase. I would definately switch! Don't take the risk of your little one becoming curious about how to climb like mine did. Good luck!