Toddler Bed or New Room First

Updated on January 04, 2010
J.M. asks from Royal Oak, MI
5 answers

Need some advice from some veteran moms. My son just turned 2 on Dec. 3rd. We are expecting our 2nd baby at the end of July (so I am 10 weeks along - still have a long way to go.) We are planning on moving my son to the spare bedroom, so we can leave the nursery the way it is (just going to purchase another crib/bedroom set). This way my son can have a new big boy room as we have been calling it - but he will be taking his furniture with him to the new room.

My question is, we have a convertible crib and wondering if we should change his crib first to the toddler bed, let him get used to that and then move him into his new big boy room. Or should we move him first to the new room, let him get used to the new room, and then convert the crib. He's doing ok in his crib, has not tried to get out yet and loves jumping in there. But seems to be getting a little small (enclosed) for him. I don't want to do everything at once - move to new room and convert at the same time - too much. The only other thing, is we probably won't be able to put him in his new bedroom until sometime in March at the earliest. We have to clean stuff out of it (A LOT of stuff, since it's our dumping/hiding place for everything), move it downstairs (which we are in the process of remodeling too) and my parents have offered to come and paint, but will be in Florida until early March.

Just wanted to know if anyone had any insights on to what do first. Thanks and Happy New Year.

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L.G.

answers from Detroit on

As long as he's still happy in the crib and not trying to climb out, I would move him to the new room first. I was surprised by how much both of my kids enjoyed being able to get out of bed by themselves - they both spent months getting up in the middle of the night to play. I think it will be easier for him if he gets used to his new room before having that freedom instead of changing rooms once he's already used to getting in and out of bed by himself.

If you don't already have them, you might also want to consider light switch extenders so he can turn the lights on by himself and a baby gate so he's not roaming around the house while everyone else is asleep. Our kids love being able to turn their lights on themselves when they get up during the night and my husband and I really like knowing that they can't get into the non-childproofed areas of the house while we're asleep.

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D.D.

answers from Detroit on

I just went through the same thing. My daughter will be 2 on Jan 30th and baby #2 is due any day. I told her for a few months that she will be moving to the big girl room and kept showing her the room. Then a few Saturdays ago, I just moved her bedding (kept the nursery furniture in the nursery, she could of cared LESS!) and she did fine!! I think I had a harder time then she did.

I did keep her in a crib (a borrowed one) just because her room is upstairs and ours is downstairs and I don't want her free to roam yet. I think kids transition a lot better then we give them credit for so I wish I wouldn't of stressed over the move as I did. If you think your son is ready for the toddler bed or twin bed, give it a try in the new room and make everything new...they can handle it. You have a few months to prepare him verbally so he will be used to the concept by the time he actually moves.

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

First off...You really need to gauge this on your son. You have to realize you are transitioning A LOT of new changes on him and it may be more than he is ready for or can handle. I also HIGHLY recommend communicating with your little toddler - if you don't already. Trust me, our kids love to chat with us and can carry a great conversation. Mine started early and we have great conversations and he's now five. I can almost easily find out what is wrong or whatever with him and it solves a lot of issues before they start.

As you are bringing in a new baby, I feel for one, you should keep him in his crib. He is going to see the new baby in one, so chances are he will want to be (for a time.). Later as he becomes accustom, ask him HIS feelings and go with it.

As for the new room, as that is your other question, that seems to be the logical course of action. However, I would greatly suggest you put him in "charge' of helping you set it up so he can make it his room. This may make him feel more comfortable with this change. Let him pick out any new items he may need.

My son transitioned very well from his crib to a toddler bed to a twin. (He was in a twin by age 3.6 or so...) I also did not have to change rooms, tho. You have more occuring here. Baby steps for this is needed or you may see some other upset elsewhere in progress you have with him.

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J.H.

answers from Detroit on

I went through the same EXACT thing last spring! My daughter had turned 2 in July 08 and I was expecting baby #2 in July 09. We really "hyped" my daughter's new "big girl room" and let her choose the paint color, etc, to help her get even more excited about it. We then converted her crib into the toddler bed on the same day that we moved it into her new big girl room. So she had a big girl bed to go with her big girl room. We had no troubles at all because she was so freakin excited about having a big girl room and she was "giving" her "baby" room to her new baby brother. I was expecting her to be territorial about her old room but she's had NO problem at all and our new baby is now 6 months old. I think with kids, it's mostly about preparing them for a change and getting them excited about it so they're not taken by surprise. Best of luck!

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

If hes jumping in his bed thats not good I wouldn't waste money on a new crib. i would get a twin bed for him with a protective railing and put that against the wall. Also give him his big boy bedroom. I would do a theme something like pics cars or tonka trucks or something boyish. He is 2 going to be 3 and he is a big boy. I have a 2 year old who we just put in a bunk bed with her older sister. You need themattress for the new baby. Ours is due in May congradulations on yours. Please slow down too I am at 21 weeks and don' know where the time flew. I am going to chill and enjoyhenext couple of months.

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