Toddler Climbing Out of Crib

Hi J.,

My son did the same thing, but at 18 months with another baby coming in 2 weeks, so I couldn't move him to a bed. I bought a crib tent and he had a convertible crib that was higher in the back, so at first we thought it wouldn't work. My husband rigged it up so that the straps were wrapped around other spots than where the directions were and it ended up working for over a year for us. It took him a couple of nights of screaming to get used to it, but it finally worked. We made a big deal for everyone that came over for him to be able to show them his tent and he pretended he was going camping. It worked for us even though it wasn't on completely right. Good luck! :) L.

I would say it's time for a "big boy" bed. : )

It sounds like it's time to break down and just get him a toddler bed or a twin bed, and establish new routines and be firm about them. It'll take getting used to, but the days of him napping whenever you want him to are over. What he's doing is dangerous, so you can't keep putting him in the crib knowing he's going to climb out. A big boy bed might be good incentive, as well as a new routine and discussion, telling him what you expect from him and how to behave. He WILL get it, but you have to be flexible now.

Rather than investing in a crib tent (if you could get it to fit that type of crib) I would say it is time for a big boy bed. I put my son in a bed at 2yr 4mo old. I wouldnt let this go on, cause one he could hurt himself climbing out, and two, perhaps he will get some better rest being in a bed. Try and make it pleasant to for him, let him shop for the bed with you and let him pick out character bedding too, maybe a poster to match so he can look at it on the wall as he goes to sleep!!
Best of Luck

Our 2 year old did the same thing when his sister came along. We put him in a "big boy bed" and he wanted NOTHING to do with it! I ended up buying a crib tent at Babies R Us. He LOVES it...he says he's camping! It keeps him from getting hurt and waking up his sister. I was reluctant to get it at first thinking I'd be caging him in, but he thinks it is great. Good luck!

Hi J.,
This sounds totally normal, and is probably just your son's way of adjusting to a new baby. As a mom of 6, I would highly recommend getting the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child," by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. He addresses this problem, and gives a step by step approach to solving almost any sleep problem. This book has saved my sanity more than once. The advice below about establishing clear rules with your son, and calmly enforcing them is really good. And if your kids share a room, I might recommend taking the baby out until the issue is resolved to save the baby's sleep. Good luck.

He might be telling you he is ready for a toddler bed or he could be searching for some added comfort since you do have a new baby. My son had a massive regression at bed time when my second child was about three or four months. We ended up putting him in a toddler bed and making him an important part of the new babies schedule. kids react to changes in ways that may not make sense to us. He might just need a little quality time with his mommy. I know that might sound impossible right now, but if he doesn't get the attention he needs he will find other ways to act out.

Not sure if it will help or not, but about the age of 18 months my daughter started doing that too, she saw that everyone else had a big bed. So we started talking about a big bed. When I took out the crib and put in just a mattress, on the floor to avoid the rolling over and falling out of bed problems, she struggled for about 3 nights with keeping her in the bed. But each time she got out we would put her back, tuck her in, and tell her it was bed time. Keeping the bedtime at the exact same time every night helped a lot. Naps on the other hand have not been as easy.
We did make it a rule that it is time for bed and not always sleep time. The kids are required to stay in bed even if they don't fall asleep.
We did also add a special stuffed animal that was just for bedtime. Though she didn't need that after about a month.
I guess it depends on how developed your son's communication skills are.
Be patient and consistant and things will start getting better even though it seems like it has been ages sense you slept.