2 Questions in One.... Pottying Training and Toddler Bed

1) My son LOVED his crib, slept GREAT in his crib, and was in his crib until 3 years old. Then one day he asked to be in a regular bed, so we did. And he had no problems being in a bed or sleeping in it.

- an option would be to put a mattress on the FLOOR, for your eldest child to sleep on.

2) Per potty training. The child needs to be ready. And even if the child does potty train, "night time dryness" is something that does not occur until even 7 years old. Because it is according to their organ development and physiological development. Not per age. So you will still need to buy diapers, for night time.

3) And your child seems to be, not ready for that.
If you start pushing toilet training now, there will probably be a LOT of battles and frustrations about it. For both your child, and you.
And he is not talking much etc. so I would think, you need to wait.

I hope you didn't buy the toddler bed and were given it. It's the same mattress. You just go straight from the crib to a twin or full bed. We waited until my son was almost 3 but honestly, I would have done it sooner I just didn't want to do it right before me moved. He has a full size bed and he knows if he needs something, to stay in the bed and I will come.

Potty training is all about signs of readiness. Does he tell you when he has gone in his diaper....does he hide when he pees or poops, can he sit for longer than a few minutes when you tell him to...does he go more than a few hours before going in his diaper...ect. I know buying so many diapers is costly, but the biggest mistake you can make is forcing your child when they are too young or too old. When you see these signs then train intensely for a few days. If they don't get it, then stop. It does not sound like your son is ready at all. On another note, have you had him evaluated by Early Intervention (or other state agency) to see if he qualifies for services?

Both of my kids day trained around 18-19 months, and night trained at 21. It is never too early to teach about pottying.

As to the bed, is there something he loves? We bought my daughter a giant panda. She immediately wanted to sleep with it in her new bed.

On the potty-training inquiry: There are a number of different training approaches/ages, any of which may be more appropriate for different mothers and different children. And both physical and emotional readiness is essential for the most common approach used today in this culture. Read about just about any potty training question in helpful detail at http://www.parentingscience.com/potty-training-tips.html. It's a really helpful resource!

Not so sure about the bed problems. My daughter and grandson were both made that transition easily. But grandboy was a thrasher, roller, and wiggler when he slept, so his folks started out with the mattress on the floor. He settled down a bit over a few months, or seemed to somehow adapt to staying on the bed, so they added the frame. Another mom I know put rolled up blankets or towels just under the outer edge of the mattress so her little one didn't end up on the floor.

Can you move the baby to a pack and play until older brother outgrows the crib? Moving to a toddler bed is just another potential disruption to YOUR sleep and you already have a newborn!

My advice is: Until DS is climbing out of the crib, leave him there. Period.

I know diapers for two is a hassle, but a couple of months of speech through EI, might help his communication enough that the potty-training process will be months shorter. I say wait on that too, and do it when you can do it in earnest.

HTH
T.

It's time for him to transition to the toddler bed or just skip it and go straight to a big kid bed. He will be more comfortable in it anyway. Since he is a restless sleeper the toddler bed won't be comfortable anyway.

He is more that old enough to be in a regular bed. Go in with him and sit beside him or lay by him. Then when he is asleep you can get up and go about your business.