Tips on Getting Son to Sleep in His Big Boy Bed

Updated on June 14, 2008
E.F. asks from Cedar Park, TX
9 answers

My oldest son will be 3 in August. He is still in his crib and I am fine with that, but has been expressing interest lately in sleeping in his big boy bed. We have bunk beds in his room, so we took them apart to put the top bunk (which has rails) on the floor. He was excited to sleep in them last night. It took forever for him to go to sleep and he woke up at 1 screaming. I went in and checked on him, he wanted a clean diaper. Then he woke up again at 2 screaming and asked to go back to the baby bed. I dont want to push it if he isnt ready, but wonder if there are some things I can do to encourage him. It would be nice when we went out of town if he would sleep in a bed.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Killeen on

why his he still in diapers if he can ask you to change him?? potty train him.As for the crib take it down tell him he's a big boy because he his ,you can not keep him a baby just because you want too ,and please dont do the other one the same way .Have another baby if you want to change diapers and lift kids out of cribs
L.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.L.

answers from Houston on

Does your crib convert in any way? With my son we lowered the mattress as far as it would go and then took the front railing off, so it was like a big boy bed but still his crib that he was used to. It was a smoother transition that way. But if he's eager to sleep in the new bed, let him, and just be patient. It's new and it'll take some time to get used to.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.V.

answers from Houston on

We let our son help us take his crib apart. There was some finality in the whole process and he knew it wasn't there for him to sleep in anymore after we were done. From there it was a walk in the park.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.K.

answers from Killeen on

I had my twins in the same bed until last month (they are 3 yo) In order to get them into separate beds, I had them pick out their own bedding. My son picked out Disney Cars and my Daughter picked out Disney princesses, then I made a big deal about putting them on the separate beds and ever since then, they have slept in their own beds (next step, their own rooms, not gonna worry about though for a couple of years)...maybe this same idea will help your son get into his bed and be okay??? When I got the bedding I also got the matching throw pillow so they could use it as a "doll" to sleep with. They absolutely love their beds now!!!

Good Luck... ;-)

A.K.

answers from Beaumont on

He's waking up in a strange arena, no bars around him which were previously his "protection" in a sense. Go in there and soothe him, sit with him until he goes back to sleep, ensure him everything is okay, then go back to bed. It'll take an adjustment period and less sleep for you for a while, but will pay off. Does he have a nightlight in his room so he can "see" where he is when he wakes up? That may help, too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Changing to a big boy bed is a big change. Just stick with it and it will get better. Maybe a special blanket, night light or toy?? Lay with him while he falls asleep. Play music very low in his room.
T.
I work From Home and YOU Can too!
www.workathomeunited.com/BeAtHome

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.O.

answers from Houston on

E.,
Take the baby bed down. I think he probalby knows he has options and buttons to push but if the bed is gone he knows he has to make the transition. He's telling you when his diaper is wet. It will be easy to potty train him. I would not do both at the same time. Thats one of the things I noticed with my babies it kind of scares them to make those steps they seem to know they are losing babyhood.lol. Don't worry though its best to go through with everything matter of factly because when they see that your okay with this transition and that there is no button to push they'll make the transition alot quicker and everyone feels like a winner. If he cryes you just talk him through it. You may have a few bad nights or days but nothing a week can't change. THe thing you need to decide first is I feel is whether you want to have him sleep in the bed first or potty train first. Also at three he should be having dry diapers in the night. You may want to have him quit drinking fluids about 6 oclock and see if that helps. I found it alot easier to potty train first and then do the big bed thing. Good luck and good patience lol. Just talk to him kindly and sweetly about changing beds.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Houston on

Hi E.,
I went through this not too long ago. My son was excited as well. We included him in the buying of the bed. My son woke up several times in the night for about two weeks and did not want me to leave after we read stories and I tucked him in. I stayed with him at first and then gradually let him soothe himself back to sleep. My son has always handled bedtime and naptime like a champ. I've been very lucky in that arena. This was puzzling to me. But its a huge step for them and I think at least with my son he just needed a little reassurance. good luck!

L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Austin on

We had the same problem at one time. Our soultion was to give him a few toys favorite pillow and let him fall asleep on the floor.
Hope this helps.
C.J.H.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.G.

answers from Corpus Christi on

One day I came home and his crib was outside and his big boy bed was set up...He was really excited and did not even want to go back to the crib...My husband also switched rooms and told him that big boys needed a big boy bed and a big boy room...it was also closer to the bathroom for when we decide to start potty training it will be easier to go to the bathroom...the only problem I had was that it was further away from my room, but I could still hear him. Well, I have a big 2 yr old and we made the transistion to a big boy bed. We developed a routine of bath, a drink of milk, juice or water, brush teethe, read a book and then night night time. All depending on how tired he is is, some nights its great, others, I need to lay on the floor for just a little while reminding him that Barney has gone night night and his grandma is night night...I tell him to close his eyes and sing a song or I sing a song and he is usually in dream land in about 5 minutes. If not I start telling him the story of the three wolves or the three little pigs, but in the dark..There has been nights when he just will not go down and when he decides he wants to stay up, I tell him to go stand in the corner...he seems to get real tired after about 30 seconds in the corner...he gives me a kiss and hops in bed..I would not recommend that you close the door ever...but you do need to keep a baby gate up so that when he wakes up he cant wonder around getting into trouble...it works really great for me and my husband because he knows the routine too....good luck,

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches