Transition to "Big Girl" Bed - Oak Park,IL

I agree on holding off as long as possible. We too bought another crib...you can even look as som of the nicer 2nd hand stores..there is a great one in Wauconda. I had 3 in 3 1/2 years and my 3 yr old is still in a crib..not ready for her to raom
Good luck

Why do you have to take her out of her crib? She does seem a little young and that was the case when I had my kids 16 months apart - I ended buying another inexpensive crib at Walmart until my daughter was ready and showed interest in a big bed - I first bought her the bedding and she started to get excited about that - I'd let her play with it and then she understood it was for her big girl bed. For around 100 buck it might be worth waiting a while and giving the baby an inexpensive crib.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1074...

Hi C.

I transitioned my daughter at 15 months. She is tall and started trying to climb out of the crib. I couldnt sleep well after i found her attempting to do it. Her grandma actually purchased her a castle bed. While i dont expect everyone to do that, it really made her WANT to sleep in it right away. I got her the princess dolls from the disney store and told her she should sleep in the castle with the princesses...because she is one.I placed them on the headboard and told her they will watch over her as she sleeps. She was 15 months so dont think she fully understood what i was saying,but totally got my excitement when she layed down on the bed for the first time. Even without the castle...pink sheets, stuffed princesses, and my excitement were enough to make her feel comfortable and she took on the same attitude towards sleeping in a big bed.
At 18 months we transitioned it from toddler to twin mode!
Good Luck!

I just went through that with my daughter, since we're expecting new baby in June. She's a bid older, she's 2-1/2, so it might be different, but this is what we did.
I put her in new bed, explained that the crib is for babies and she's not a baby anymore. I pulled the mattress up in the crib, set it up for the baby and we put her baby doll in there, covered it with blanet, so she can see that the baby sleeps in there.
I went ahead and went to lay down in her new bed with her for the first 2 nights, until she fell asleep.
The third night, I put her in by herself and sat down on a chair next to the bed and waited until she fell asleep.
After a couple of nights I moved the chair a little farther away, then again, until eventually I hope to move it out of the room..... She's been sleeping in her new bed for a week and a half now and is doing great. Sleeps in there all night.

I agree with most of the moms and aim to keep your first in the crib as long as you can. We have two kids, two years apart. I kept the second one in the pack n play bassinet for awhile! Like 5 months, that will bought us time.
Then I moved my first into a twin bed with side rails we bought for it and had her get used to it, sleeping in her sleep sac still. Then removing sleep sac and adding covers to get her used the bed slowly. Work it from both ends! To max out the time for no. one in the crib and no. two in the bassinet!

I have a baby due in June and we are using the pack n play in our room for the first couple of months. That being said, Our daughter was 18 mos when our 2nd was born. At about 15 months we moved her to a "big girl" bed. I know 15 months is early, but we didn't want to purchase a 2nd crib either and I didn't want her to feel like the baby took her bed. We were very lucky and had a very easy time transitioning her. At the time we had a set of bunk beds my in-laws loaned us. We set it up and put her on the bottom bunk. She thought it was so cool. Like her own little "cave." We had a couple nights of taking her back to bed and getting her to stay in bed, but she has always slept great in her big bed. I think at any age your going to have a child getting up when you first put them in a big bed, because of the simple fact they can. Good Luck with what you decide.

We just transitioned my 2 year old for the same reason. We have a new baby coming in a month and even though we'll use a bassinet for the first few months, I wanted to give my 2 year old plenty of time to transition. People had always told me to keep him in the crib as long as we could, and if we weren't expecting I probably would have. He had no desire to leave his crib. He slept great and never tried to climb out. However, once he had the big boy bed in his room (we got a twin bed with rails and he has a little stool to climb in and out of it), he wanted to sleep in it. Once he realized he could get in and out on his own and he had fun sheets and we could lay down with him - he loved it. The cool thing about transitioning early with him is that I had the crib in the room at the same time as backup. At first, during naptime, he would keep getting out of bed and coming down the hallway with the cutest, proud look on his face. I had to tell him - "If you can't stay in your bed, I have to put you in your crib." A few times I had to do that and now, about 3 weeks later, he sleeps in his big boy bed with no problems. By the time the baby needs the crib, I think he will be totally detached from it and will not feel like we "kicked" him out of his stuff for his little brother. Your daughter is a little younger than my son, so even though people say not to waste money on a toddler bed, that might be the way to go - you can get a cute, princess one for less than $100. Once that's in her room, I'd bed she'd be pretty excited to be in it. Give her time to go back and forth so that when she makes the switch final, it's not a battle for you and she won't feel like she had to give something up for the baby. Congrats and good luck!

Just a thought- have you considered keeping #2 in a bassinet for the first few months? My daughter slept in hers, right next to our bed, for about 6 months, til she really starting moving around. It was especially convenient for those middle of the night feedings! This way, your daughter will get used to be the "big one" and may even want to move to the big bed on her own. Whatever you do, don't force her, you don't want her to hate bedtime!
(If #2 outgrows the bassinet before your daughter is ready, you could move the baby to the pack and play, if you have one.)

*If you'd like to, I'd loan you my bassinet! Or you could check out once upon a child, we got ours there for $25.

We did it by placing a big girl mattress on the floor of her room along with the crib being there. It helped with knowing that she would soon change. She could try it out to read, play, whatever it took to get her familiar with it. Put something that she loves on it, princesses, whatever. Make it her own and gradually work her into it, maybe start with naps. You may have to lie with her initially, but having it in the room, gets her used to the idea and she still knows that her crib isn't gone.

Have you considered having the new baby sleep in your bed with you? My son at newborn age slept much better that way, and if you take the proper precautions, it's perfectly safe. It's also great for when you're breastfeeding--no need to get up when they need to nurse at night. Then when it's time to move the baby out of your bed (when they start turning into a human eggbeater), it probably will be time to move your daughter to a "big girl" bed.

We just moved my 18-month-old daughter to a big girl bed a month ago because we had to give the crib we borrowed from my sister back in time for her new baby. I was worried, but it was pretty easy. We just put a twin mattress down on the floor and she loves it. She especially likes that her mom and dad can get in her bed and read stories with her before she goes to sleep. Then before we leave the room we put a couple pillows down on the floor around the mattress in case she rolls out but we haven't even had to use a rail. She got up a few times at night and woke up pretty early for about a week but since then she's been fine. She's always been a good sleeper though. Now the only problem is when she doesn't want to go to bed she is able to get out. But we have just made sure her room is safe so that even if she gets up and plays for a while she'll be fine. She can't open her bedroom door yet. I was afraid on those nights I'd come in and find her sleeping on the floor but she actually tucks herself back under the covers and goes to sleep on her own when she's ready. I think it helps that the bed is so low so she's able to climb back in by herself. I don't think 18 months is too early to transition. Now we go visit my new niece and see the old crib and sleeping in there already seems like such a babyish thing to do! If I were in your position I wouldn't want to buy a new crib either. I'd transition her soon so she's used to her big girl bed by the time the baby arrives. That way she won't feel like her new sibling took her bed either. If you do it now, she will probably have forgotten that she used to sleep in a crib by July.

I haven't read your other responses so I hope this is not repeated information. Here's what we did, I hope it helps. We had the same thing - one on the way while another was still using the bed.

We had the crib that transitioned into a toddler bed, so we put it on the lowest height and got a railing too. This helped her still feel secure with something on all 4 sides, but was safer for her.

A few months before the baby was due, we bought a big girl bedroom set for her, with a full size bed. We bought railings for both sides so she didn't feel like she was going to fall out. After a few months of the railings she didn't need them anymore and we took them off. She hasn't fallen out of bed once.

A couple things we kept in mind. We did not want to have our daughter feel like she was giving her bed to her brother, so we made sure get her in her own big-girl bed in plenty of time she her new bed was comfy and cozy long before the baby took over the crib.

One other thing is to make sure the room is completely baby-proofed. We anchored the furniture to the walls, took out any thing at all that may harm her (choke hazards, diaper changing creams etc, breakables etc). We also put a door-knob cover on the knob so she couldn't get out and roam the house while were were sleeping. I also kept some things in there to entertain her if she was up and we were not (books, stuffed animals) - nothing that would be exciting enough to keep her from sleeping, that was safe, and would entertain her.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

I wouldn't move her out unless she is climbing out of the crib. My little one was a big climber and very tall and so I converted the crib into a bed and got a rail. I would use a bassinet for the new baby for a few months. So then you have another 6 months before you really need to do anything. Hurrying your little girl to be older than she is, is not really fair on her. If necessary, I would borrow another crib in 6 months time. Or she may be ready and then I would get a twin and skip the toddler bed as they only last about a year. Also, once they are in a bed, they can get in and out and it is a whole other ball game. The crib days are a lot easier. I wish my little one had stayed longer in her crib. Good luck.

Hi! Since cost is an issue, I wonder if the cost of buying another crib now (such as a gently used crib) and transitioning your daughter to a real bed (twin or double) when she is much older would be cheaper than buying her a toddler bed now and her real bed in another year or two. Like your daughter, my daughter loved her crib and slept so beautifully in it! She let us know she was ready for a transition right around the time she turned three. Perhaps not all children last that long in cribs, but it may be worth risking the wait since she is doing so well in it. Bringing the new baby home will be quite a shock for her and having her crib (something she knows and loves) may be a comfort.

Whichever you decide, try to time this type of major change at least 3 months prior the birth of the new baby. A change in bed (or room) will be huge for your daughter and you don't want her to connect it to the new baby. If you pull her from her crib and put her sibling in it a month later, she may feel resentment that her stuff is being taken away and given to the new baby.

Best wishes to you and your family!

I'd wait to move her to the big bed. It's easier on her--and it's easier on you if she can't get out! Either go with the bassinet for a while, then decide if she's ready to move, or buy/borrow a second crib. We found several inexpensive ones on Craigslist and bought one for our second. We didn't move our daughter out of her crib until she climbed out and made it dangerous to leave her in there. Also, it may help with sibling rivalry issues if the baby hasn't taken "her" crib. Good luck!

Keep the Baby in her crib. 18 months is way too early. Put the new Baby in a bassinet or portable crib for 6 months or so. Out sons are 23 months apart and we didn't want to buy another crib either so we kept the baby in a portable crib for about 7 months until his brother was ready for the transition. A portable crib can be purchased for about $100 and it folds up really nicely, side rails go up/down. A pack n'play works too, I just hated putting him down and picking him up all the way on the floor when he was up/down to eat int he night. Congratulations and good luck with your babies!

Did you have a cradle or bassinet for baby number 1? If not you could consider that for baby 2. That will give you more time for transitioning.
You said you tried the big girl panties already and that did not work. That is not uncommon she is not even 2 years old year. Many children do not potty train til after age 2.
Try taking her to the store where they sell the toddler bed. Let her look at them and see how she feels about getting something new. Let her choose the bed she wants. Another thing to do is, if any of her play buddies have transitioned already have her go see her friends toddler bed, she might want to copy her and move to a toddler bed.
If not, we make our children grow up so fast. If she wants to stay a baby for a while longer, look for a second hand crib at a garage sale or second hand store. your going to have to buy a new mattress any way because the toddler bed use the crib mattress you already have.

Best of Luck,
S.

I would find a cheap used crib and not push her early and disrupt her good sleeping. When my twins were born my first was 18months. I found two white cribs for $100 total! My oldest dtr didn't transition till three and my twins are 2 and still in their cribs. My girls have all been good sleepers and i attribute that to consistant sleep routine. (Not necessairy crib vs bed vs co-sleep ect.) We co-sleep as newborns and transition to Amby baby hammocks..then around 9-12months they have transitioned to cribs. They will/have skipped right to twins and double adult beds with no toddler beds. I wouldn't push her if she isn't ready - you'll all get more sleep.

I have not read the other posts, so sorry if this is redundant...
I am in the same situation...my daughter is 16 months old and we're due with Baby #2 in the next 3-4 weeks. My daughter sleeps GREAT in her crib and quite honestly I don't want to mess up her sleep schedule combined with a newborn...plus it's nice to know she's contained several hours a day. I elected to borrow a crib so that we have a place for the baby to sleep that's his own but if our daughter decides in the near future she's done with the crib, we are not out $100 for the extra one. I have heard (although it may be an "urban legend") that children are less likely to get out of bed and roam if they've been in their crib longer...so if you can borrow a crib that may be an option to consider. Good luck!

Hi C.!
I understand what you mean about wanting to save money and avoid purchasing another crib. My daughter will be 20 months when #2 arrives, so I've been doing some research on this topic. Unfortunately, the experts seem to agree that the arrival of a new sibling doesn't justify moving a baby to a "big bed" if other signs of readiness aren't there. Experts agree that waiting until a child is closer to 3 is best because until then, they don't understand the "invisible boundaries" of a big bed and their sleep (and therefore your sleep!) is often distrupted. I would ask around and see if any friends or family members have another crib you could borrow for a few months. I have come to the conclusion that even if I do have to purchase a second crib, that it will be worth it if it means that both of my babies are safe and happy. You don't want your first to feel as if all of her things that she is used to and give her security and comfort are being taken away to give to her new sibling. Now, if she (between now and July) suddenly seems interested in the big bed, by all means give it a try. Just don't force her if she's not ready. Your daughter's well-being and rest, as well as your own sleep, are well worth the extra $.
Good luck and congratulations!

If she's not quite ready to transition out of her crib, maybe you can use a bassinet for the baby for a few months. Try craigslist if you don't have one. Then you can show your big girl that the baby goes in the crib and the big girl goes in the big girl bed.
Good luck!

I think if you keep the new baby in a pac'n'play or bassinet for about three months after its born, then transition your daughter to a bed, you'll be fine. That would make your daughter about 2 years old. You'd be amazed how those 6 months will make a difference in your daughter's maturity, especially once your daughter can see and hold the baby.

Hi Cristen,
I transitioned both of my girls at the same time. the youngest was 15 months & climbing out of the crib while the oldest was 28 months and content with her crib. The older transitioned great! the Younger-not so much. But for her safety, I had to get her closer to the ground. I tried several things to get the my younger to sleep in the toddler bed. The problem was this-she moved all over in her sleep so she kept falling off of the bed even with the rails! After this discovery I put the mattress on the floor but she would not sleep on it, I'm thinking it was just to small. I then put a futon mattress on her floor, she did very well with that. About a month later I put her back in the bed and started to reward her for staying in her bed all night (once she "trained" herself to stay at the top of the bed & not fall out). I made a chart & gave her a sticker for each night she stayed in her bed; when she recieved 10 stickers she got a little present. As far as wandering around, I use a baby gate in her door way to stop her from leaving her room. Good luck & congrats on your pregnancy! - MJ

You might regret trying to do this at her age. If she isn't ready, your life will be miserable and no one will sleep. The last think you need is that with a new baby. She seems a bit young for these transitions. (I have 4 kids, and potty training was closer to 3, although I do have a friend who was successful with their kids around 2.) Try looking or advertising on Craig's list for a used crib. Good luck.

BTW .... it isn't bad having multiple kids in diapers at the same time.