Switching from Crib to Big Bed.

V.,

All of my children were moved to a "big boy/girl bed" by two years. They were also climbing out of their beds.... I can give you a few tips that worked well for my children, and worked well so far with my grandchildren.

1. Buy a bed rail. I got ours at Wal-Mart. I don't know if they still stock them. You can probably even find them at Babies R Us or some other place. The bed rail is usually about the length of the bed, and gives a sense of comfort while protecting your child from falling out.

2. DO NOT lay down with him! He will become used to that and you will have the dickens of a time breaking this habit. Your son needs to go to sleep by himself.

3. Be prepared for a few rough days. This is a new transition for him, and he will need to become comfortable again with the bed. Be patient and know that this, too, shall pass. He will become a champ at sleeping in his own bed.

Best of luck!

Hi V.,
With both of my boys when they switched from the crib, I used the little beds that uses the crib mattress (toddler beds). It is closer to the ground, therefore not as much anxiety about falling out, and it is still the mattress that they are used to. Worked great for me. Good luck and God Bless!

M.

With our grandson a bed rail helped. I'm not sure if it was harder to get out or it made him feel more secure. They got it at IKEA and it just slips under the mattress and is about as long as he is.

D. Kimbriel
Grandma to 2 beautiful boys

Sounds as if he may transition well to a big bed. We placed the matress to our daugther's toddler bed on the floor next to her crib for a week before moving her to a big bed. I would make a big deal about his new bed and comforter. Taking naps in his new bed will also help with the transition to bedtime.

I bought new sheets for the occasion of his favourite show at the time it was Nemo. We all marveled at the wonder of them and how special they were... and my mother also got in and out, snuggling and marveling for most of the first day. It wasn't a problem. We did the same with our daughter & got the same positive results - sheets with TinkerBell.

Sounds like you have the right idea. My husband and I have always laid down with our kids while "transitioning" them. After a while, you start leaving right before they are about to fall asleep. It takes some time but it is reassuring to them and makes for a gentle transition.

He needs to learn how to calm down, despite his new found freedom. Things seem so much more accessible now, it must be hard for his little brain not to think about that! So, I would not lay with him, but rather read a nice book, explain to him how to rest quietly, and then sit on the floor in his room to monitor until he falls asleep. Each day, you should be able to sit further away, and within a week, you should be able to send him to bed on his own. No talking, not even the reminder to get back in bed, just get up, lay him back down, and sit back down. I hate this transition, more than potty training I think, so I feel your pain!! Good luck ~A.~

HI, I have 3 boys and have used the crib tent by tots in mind for all three of them so I can transition them to a big bed when I am ready. 2 is too young and you have to judge each childs maturity. (some are fine and some wont go to bed or will get in danger at night by them selves)

get a crib tent you can check Ebay or just get it at babies r us... I LOVE them and have used them since my oldest, who just turned 6 yesterday :o), was a baby, my middle who is 4 used one as well and my youngest is 2 still uses his.

Good luck
A. J

Hello V.. That is good that ur son stayed asleep. I think u are on the right track of the transition. I can not say a lot about it cause me son still kinda sleeps with me....he is in his bed but the bed next to mine. What I have read though is that if he were to wake up in the night just to keep putting him in his bed. I hope this helps a little.

Honestly it will take a few days but just put him to bed exactly how you did when he was in the crib. He may get out of bed a couple of times but just keep putting him back and tell him it is time to go night night. I wouldn't encourage anyone laying with him due to the fact you will have major bedtime problems when he gets older. Trust I am still trying to get my 3 year old to go to bed on his own. But I was smart with my daughter and just told time to go night night and yes she fussed a bit but she eventually got in that bed and went to sleep. Before you know it he will be going straight to bed and falling fast asleep on his own. I hope this helps! Good luck!