When Do You Switch from a Crib to a Bed?

Ikea has really inexpensive cribs that convert to a toddler bed when they're older. or try the rest of the advice for a used one...

I've got 22 month old twiin boys and they are still in cribs. Especially with twins, if sharing a room, you will want them in cribs as long as possible! Two extremely active todders, in big kid beds, in the same room... I dread the thought! Neither of them will ever sleep... all they will want to do is play!!

I agree with everyone... you will definiltey need another crib!

I'd look for a second hand crib...friend, Craigslist, garage sale, Once upon a Child...
Switching to a bed is usually between 18 months and 3 years. With twins, you may want longer...especially if they are sharing a room. No need for toddler beds, I'd go straight to a twin bed unless toddler bed is free or something. We switched my first to a twin bed at 18 months. The second will probably be in the crib until he climbs out or 3 years since we don't need the crib for another child. The second is 18 months now and though we have a toddler bed ready for him, I don't plan to use it quite yet! We use it rather for guest kids for now. :)

Just my 2 cents. Do you have a pack n play that you could use? Not that you want to be bending over constantly, but I'm sure it would work until you could locate an inexpensive crib.

Garage sales will be coming soon, try getting a crib then.
Hawthorn woods annual one is may 19, they have a map online if you go to the village web page. Or just check your local paper for sales in your area.
Freecycle.com - I see cribs come and go on there.

best of luck. I'd stick with a crib for now, but that's just me.

M.

I'd say 7 months is fairly early. Every child is different though. It's your call. (people actually asked their ped when to put in a bed?! LMAO!!) My first was climbing out at 11months! So I got her a toddler bed. It's so close to the ground she wouldn't get hurt if she fell out. Then put a gate in the doorway to keep them safe. So maybe that can be an option. She never fell out and loved it! My second was about 2 1/2 yrs and she fell out of bed until she was 6!! My son is following that as well! LOL I think I'll keep this last one in a crib forever! ha! ha! anyways.... you get the idea. Maybe try a pack n play too? HTH and good luck!
H.

My 2 year old was one when we switched her to a toddler bed. She almost never slept in a crib, she slept with my husband (I worked nights). Whenever we put her in her crib, she cried all night long. But once we switched her to a toddler bed, we have not had any problems. It is low enough to the ground that if she got out, it wasn't far. But since she wasn't walking at that point, I never had to worry about her getting out. I know this probably isn't an option for you, but we kept her toddler bed in our room for about 6 months until we were sure that she was ok. We have just moved her to a twin bed and she couldn't be happier. But check consignment shops and garages sales for toddler beds and cribs. They go for about 1/2 the price. I actually have a toddler bed too, that we won't be using anymore. Just needs to be re-spraypainted (it's purple right now).

This is only my oppinion, but I don't think they are old engough to go to a bed. I have a 11 month old daughter and I KNOW that she would wake up and fall of the bed. The rails don't go all the way to the end of the bed and the baby would get to the opening, plus if they stand up they could fall over. You should see if you could get an inexpensive slightly used crib for the meantime. Good Luck.

My daughter was switched at 18 months and she did great! It might be too soon, but if you want to try it you should.

Sounds too soon :( Sorry

http://www.babycenter.com/expert/toddler/toddlersleep/459...

I just read some research on Baby Center. com and Parents mag. They both said around 3 yr old, children are ready for a Big Bed. Until then they like the closed confinement and sleep better.

Also, safety of being mobile in the house was an issue for the authors.
Good luck

I suggest just buying another crib..I wanted my daughter in her crib as long as i could go around 2 is normal for a toddler bed...See if you can get one 2nd hand we paid $200 for a regular non-convertible crib at babies r us ...try wal-mart too for a basic crib! its really 200 you can justify for your kids safety!!!

We didn't switch our son until I was already pregnant with my daughter, at about 29 months or so. We mostly switched him then because I didn't want him to get upset when the new baby needed the crib, so we went to a twin bed with rails and then weaned off the rails once I was sure he wouldn't fall out at night (he had a tendency to skooch into the corner of the crib when sleeping). I do think it's too soon to move them to beds, even with rails. I agree with the other comment that you could check Craig's List or Goodwill/resale shops to see if you can find a used one. I'd still buy a new mattress for it, but those are less costly than the cribs themselves. You could also check out Freecycle.org and post a WANTED: post for a crib and see if anyone has one to give away.

Good luck!

We have twinkies too (boy/girl) and made the switch to their own crib at 6 months. I too believe it's much too soon to have your son in a toddler/twin bed with rails. Tis the season for garage sales. Or check your local paper or Craigslist or Mother of Twins Resales. I have seen some cribs (at Kmart/etc) for around $100 which isn't too bad. We paid $250 for ours (Walmart).

Good luck.

Hi R.,

My little girl is almost 8 months and our second one is due in December. Our pediatrician said that at 15 months our daughter will still be way too young for a regular bed so we will have to buy a second crib. I suggest talking to your pediatrician about your options. Hope this helps!

C.

R.,

Our son is going to be 2 in June and he's still in a crib. I think the transition is ideally between 2 and 3 with closer to 3 being the recomendation. The exception is if they are climbing out of the crib as it's dangerous. The crib we have transitions from crib to toddler bed to a head/foot board for a full bed. There are a lot of those on the market, maybe you could look at one of them?

T.

My son was 10 months old when he was put into a "big boy bed". He kept jumping out of his crib, not climbing but JUMPING. He transitioned just fine. My daughter was 22 months and she did great also. I think it depends on the kid and the parent. Just becareful.

Hi R.,
I did not switch my son over to a toddler bed till he was 2 and the only reason we did it then was he was climbing out all the time. Now, with my first daughter, she was more mature and always has been and we switched her to a toddler bed when she was 15 months. I think with my middle daughter, it was right before she turned 2. I hope you can find a crib or something for the time being. 7 mths seems a little young. Is there anyone that you can borrow a crib from for a few months? I wish I still had ours. If I did, I would give it to you.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

Definitely think you should buy another crib. Both of my older kids didn't go into a big bed until they were 2yrs and the other close to 3 yrs. Safety is the primary concern- they will and can get out of a big bed with rails- do you want them walking around the house at night? I'm sure you can buy a second hand crib cheap-- check craigslist.org Best of luck!!