Wont Sleep in a Big Boy Bed

For my daughter we let her watch us take the crib out of her room and actually said "bye bye crib, I'm a big girl now." If you leave the option of the crib there, of course they are going to take the safe route. We just made sure she still had her music from her mobile, soft sheets that smelled like her crib sheets and her favorite stuffed animals. We added a slide- in bed rail which gives it that safe feeling. The first 2 nights were a little rough, but then it was over and now she loves it. It just like pulling off a band-aid, make it quick and painless.

Is there a way you can borrow a 2nd crib from a friend? That is what we did when I had my first two close together. 20 months old is still young and if he feels he needs the security of a crib, I would try to find a second one. Plus I liked using it to keep my kids in bed for naps and nighttime; my oldest didn't move out of a crib until she was 3. Good luck!

I have a 21-month old and am expecting in three weeks, so I understand completely about not wanting to buy a new crib! My daughter has been sleeping in her "big girl bed" (toddler bed) for a month now. This is what we did. We put the toddler bed in her room so she could get used to just seeing it. We told her it was a "big girl bed", but really didn't make a big deal over it. After about a month we asked her if she wanted to sleep in the big girl bed and we let her sleep in it just for her naps at first, which was the recommendation of my ped. She slept in it for a week for her naps and then we just let her sleep in it at night. It was an easy transition. The crib is still in her room, but we are taking it down today and will put it up in about a week or so in our room for the new baby. Hopefully, when the new baby starts sleeping in it, she won't want it back!

If the timing doesn't quite work with transitioning your son out of his crib before the new baby arrives, don't panic and buy another expensive crib. We had the co-sleeper bassinet by arms reach as a back-up plan. We used to use it when we traveled or went to grandma's. It is less than $100.00 and they can use it until they are about 3 or 4 months old. Good luck and congratulations!

I think 20 months old is to young for your son. I know every child is different, but from what I have read three years old is a better time to make the leap onto a big boy bed. That being said, you might need to find another sleeping arrangement for your new baby. You can look at garage sales, the classifieds, friends and family, for another crib. I agree with the other Moms leaving the bed in his room and slowly getting him used to the idea, picking out sheets is an excellent idea. My son is so stubborn he likes to think he was the one "controlling" everything.
Wish you all the luck and hang in there! Congrats on your new baby!

With our son, we put the bed together but left his crib up. Then we talked about him sleeping in the new bed. We'd sit on it or lay on it. Then we made a huge deal about letting him pick out his own sheets for his new big boy bed whenever he was ready to sleep in it. This excited him very much. I took him to the store and let him choose the sheets he wanted. I let him help me open and wash the sheets then put them on the bed. He was so excited to have cowboys and horses on his sheets the transition was easy. He went right into the new bed.
I don't know when you're due, but I wouldn't press the bed issue. I'm not sure about your son, but I know my son can be extra resistant and stubborn if I'm too insistent. If you think your newborn will sleep in a bassinet for the first couple months that could give you a little extra time.
I hope this helps. Keep us posted. Good luck.

Hi, O.!

I don't know your situation (tight on money, how much time until you have your baby), but can you try to borrow a pack n play or a cradle for your newborn for a few months? So much can change in a few months and your son may feel ready - and feel more motivated to give his crib to his new baby brother or sister - once the baby is born. Good luck. Please let us know how it works out .... my son is 20 months and I'll be looking at the same issue soon too.

Good luck!
J.

I've heard that if you make a big deal of them getting to choose their own special sheets, pillows, etc for their big boy bed, then it becomes more special and 'wanted' to them. Maybe he'll respond to that. couldn't hurt.

What I did was try to make it as much like a crib as possible. I got my little girl a double bed w/headboard and footboard. Then, I took out the slats and put the box spring and mattriess right on the floor so she could easily climb in and out herself, I then pushed against a wall. That way between the ehadboard and footboard and wall she was "enclosed" on 3 sides. I then put a rail up (only at night). It took about 3 nights, but she loved it.She loved being able to play on it during the day and it was so big she could put all her buddies w/her.