When to Say Good-bye to the Crib

I have a 21 month old daughter that I moved to a toddler bed at 19 months. I did it because it was easier for me. I work night shift so it was helpful because then she can get out of bed without screaming for me to get her out. Once my 2 other kids hit the age of 2 I put them in toddler beds also but they didn't like the crib but loved the toddler bed and being free to get out when they woke up w/o waiting to be taken out.

My son was 20 months old and my daughter was 16 months old when we switched to a twin sized bed. We did it gradually. Set the bed up in the room to get them used to it. Then used it for naps only. Once they were good at nap we did bedtime. Once they were good with bedtime we took the crib down. We put a crib mattress on the floor and pillows in case they fell. They stayed in bed pretty well. My son is 4 years old now and my daughter is 21 months old. Good luck and just be patient.

Our doctor said not to be too quick to move to a 'big girl' bed. He said to wait as long as possible and that he would be happy if she was still in her crib at 3 years old, because they are much better at saying in their beds if you transition around 2 1/2 or 3 yrs. We are transitioning now (a month before her 3rd birthday), partly because we moved and I didn't want to give her more change right away and also because she's so heavy now I'm kind of over getting her in and out of a crib.

My daughter turned 2 in August and we moved her to a "bed" about a month after her birthday. She was fine in the crib but I believe she was trying to climb out (never actaully caught her doing it but I could hear it) so we decided that it was time to switch it up.

We have one of those cribs that transition with her so actaully only the front bars of the crib came off and we attached 2 bed safety rails that came with the kit. My daughter still like the feel of being in a "crib" and we had not problem with her getting up (but every child is different). So my suggestion is that if you switch to a bed have it pushed into a corner with those bed safety railings, that might help encrouage her not to get up and check on baby brother or play.

Both my girls were out by 22 months and it was hard where they both cried and came out. With #1 we tried a gate and shutting the door and shutting the door worked best but it took about a week or two before she'd stay in her room. I eventually told her to stay in her bed and I'll leave the door open if she stayed in her room. I said that if the doors open the cats can visit her now. It worked! My youngest helped me disassemble the crib and she did very well the first two nights and then would come out. I didn't shut her in or put a child gate up like with my first. I kept bringing her back to bed and said that I'd take things away each time she comes out. She's 2 yrs. and 3 months and I think the last few weeks she's finally stayed in her room once she's put to bed. It take awhile to complete the transition but it depends on the child too.

If she's happy, then leave her there. WHat looks uncomfortable to us is perfectly fine to them... so if she's sleeping well and not complaining, then let her be. There is no set time to move out of the crib... my boys were in the crib for 2yrs, would have left them longer but both were potty trained by 18mos and started waking up having to pee by age 2 so we moved the motu of the bed so they could get up to use the bathroom.

There are mesh bumpers you can purchase at Target or online, they go on the inside of the rails and are mesh, so no risk of suffocation, and will keep her little limbs from getting stuck in teh rails.

This is a great question. My son is 19 months old and his Dr. said, When your child's crib railing is level with their nipples, then it is time to move them to a bed. Well that is great to know, but how it a great question. I am looking forward to reading your responses.

A friend of mine (who has 4 kids) has a little boy who just turned 2. She put up a crib net to keep her climber from getting out of the crib and to also keep his arms and legs in. It may be an easy solution for you so that you can contain her for safety reasons.

Mine is just 1, so I have no real experience for you! Good luck!

I WISH my kids stayed in the crib that long! My oldest would SCREAM in his crib, so we moved him out after his first birthday. My second learned how to crawl out of it at 15-months. It's totally up to you, but I personally would wait until she tries to get out, unless you think it would be harder to transition her later when your baby is older. One of my friends kept her boys in their cribs until they were 4! I think that's a bit long, but if she's content, I'd let her stay. Again, up to you...you know your family.