Toddler Bed???? - Germantown,WI

My son was 23 months when we took him out of the crib and converted it to a toddler bed. When in the crib he went right to sleep every night and never climbed out. Now he will not sleep in it and fights to go to bed every night. He may not be the norm, but if he's doing well in the crib I say don't change it.

My son never climbed out of the crib either, he would of stayed in the crib for years but we still switched him at about 20-21 months also. He did just fine with the change.

Hi, K.!

I don't recommend it. I'm assuming this is your first child and you are probably excited about moving him. That's understandable. We moved my son when he was about that age because his sister was well on her way. Although he ended up doing okay in the end, it was a little soon. Once they're out of the crib, it's tough getting them to stay in bed. It might open a whole can of worms he hasn't thought of yet. If there's no reason to push it, I wouldn't. My daughter is now 22 months and she has not attempted to climb out yet. I have no intentions of getting her a "big girl" bed until she pretty much leaves me no choice. Remember, once they're out of the crib, they can get out of bed in the morning, too, even if that's 5:30 AM!!!

Good luck!

Hi K.,
As a mother and grandmother and an aunt many times over I advise you without reservation to keep the crib. Your son will let you know when he is ready for a "Big Boy Bed". If you take the crib away too soon he may feel less secure, especially if he isn't trying to climb out of it yet. When or if you have other children the advice may change, but if you don't need the crib for another child, save yourself some headaches and money by keeping the crib and when he is ready move on up to a regular twin or bunk bed and skip the toddler bed. Nothing in the rules say you have to transition from a crib to toddler, to twin. You can do it in one step.
Good luck and God Bless.
M.

I don't think you are rushing it. It is totally different for every kid. My daughter switched at 18 months and my friend's daughter switched at 32 months. Aren't mothers and mother-in-laws difficult to listen to sometimes :)
My daughter ended up sleeping in a twin bed (w. side rails) at 18 months. I bought the bed due to being pregnant with my son. I didn't expect her to sleep in it, but I had set it up in her room to get used to it. She wanted to sleep in it the first night we brought it home and hasn't been in her crib since.
I would suggest converting it over a weekend and have him get used to it, maybe w. his nap.
This may mean him climbing out of bed a bit, but you just need to be firm and place him back into bed (w/o much explination/talking).
Good Luck, I hope the transition works well (whenever you decide to do it).

My daughter is now just 2 and we still haven't switched over. I like having her in there. It makes it easier for us if she's not getting out and roaming all over. We are planning on switching over soon though because she sleeps on a cot in daycare and is mostly ok with it. I've just enjoyed the convenience of a crib. Just remember no matter what we all say, you know your son and what he's ready for!

We put our son into a "big boy bed" shortly after his second birthday. Now we did it it because I am expecting and wanted him out of the crib well inadvance of baby's arrival, but I'm so glad we did it. It really made him feel grown up and proud to have a bed like mom and dad. He loves that we can lay with him during story time, and can tuck him into bed. Also, since we got him a regular bed we put up gaurd rails on the side- I don't know if it the rails (reminds him of the crib?) but even though he knows he can get in and out of bed by himself, he doesn't.

My husband and I converted our daughter's bed when she was just about 21 months and she loved it!!! We did use a crib, although I felt as I was using a "cage" to keep her in. As a Montessori teacher it was very difficult to put her down in something that had bars all over. Obviously the crib is safety but once the child can walk and eat on their own they shouldn't be kept "caged" up. The more confident they feel in themselves- being able to get up and out of bed on their own- the happier they are. We too have had a couple of rough patches, the door opening five minutes after we thought she was asleep and the six o'clock wake-up, but her happy skip through the hall the first few nights she was climbing into bed herself is worth it!!! Also, she has given her self naps or has put herself to sleep at night when she has been tired- "mama, I tired goodnight"-I never even thought that would happen!!!

My daughter is 20 months old and after a few days traveling and sleeping in a regular bed, we came home and she wanted NOTHING to do with her crib. We decided to run with it and put a mattress in her room with a side rail. She's doing great. There were two nights in which she woke up and went to the door. We calmly put her back in bed and told her it was bedtime. Even naptime she fussed at the door a few minutes then went back to her bed for the duration of her regular naptime.

She's all about her new bed now!. I thought perhaps we were "rushing" her, but now I'm pleased I didn't keep her in the crib for my convenience and instead read her cues. Sure it may be a bit more work on your part because your child isn't "contained," but your son will learn what the new boundaries are soon enough as long as your consistent. Good Luck!

Hi K.....I think it depends on the child. If you think he is ready than go for it! I put all four of my children into toddler beds at 18 months. They all did great. Of course about 2 weeks after they get used to it they figure out that they can get up earlier. LOL Good Luck!

We switched our DD at 15 months, she hated the crib and never tried getting out of it but liked our bed better from the start. When we didn't sleep in it ( during the day ) she would take her naps in there. She slept So much better and that was also the way we checked to see if she was ready for a big kid bed. so after a try it time we made the switch and haven't looked back yet. She will be 7 years here soon so all I want to tell you is do what works for you and your family:)

Do what works for your family.

I liked having a bed that my son could NOT get out of and he was happy in it.

We kept him in his crib till he was almost THREE! We converted the crib to a toddler bed and now he's going into a twin sized bed at 3 yrs and 3 months. He's growing and needs more room. So the toddler/crib conversion only lasted about 5 or 6 months.

Some people thought we were crazy for keeping him in the crib for so long. But it didn't bother me, my husband or my son. There's no magic time - just weigh the pro's and con's for your situation, your home layout and your son's activity.

Good Luck!

D.