Switching from a Crib to a Toddler Bed

Updated on January 08, 2009
D.C. asks from Rowlett, TX
4 answers

Dear Moms:
We have finally gotten the little one to sleep more and more during the night. The only problem is he still wakes up occassionally. That I can handle though. Here is my question? When do you switch from a crib to a toddler bed? Our little guy is just now turning 18 months old. We have a crib that converts to a toddler bed and then to a full size bed. To make it into a toddler bed you take the front rail off and put up a temporary side rail so they won't roll out, but it is a toddler bed. Anyone who has one knows what I'm talking about. I have friends that have put their little ones in toddler beds at just over a year old and then again we have friends who have waited until 2 or 3 years. The little one starts in the toddler room at daycare where they take naps on cots instead of in cribs. I'm wondering should I wait until he is settled in there? At home he takes naps on our king size bed or in the guest bedroom where there is a full-size pull out sofa bed and sleeps much better in there than in his own crib. I also would love any advice on when you do switch out of the crib, what to do if they start getting out of bed and come and find you in the middle of the night. We have always done the cry-it-out method and it has worked on him. I just figure with this big change, we may have to re-train him on sleeping in his bed again because everything will be so new and different. I'm just a little perplexed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

B.B.

answers from Dallas on

We are planning on doing this soon as well since we're trying for #2. My son is also 18 months. I've read on other posts on here that you should definitely have a baby gate on his door, so he can't just wander around the house if he gets up in the middle of the night. You're his mom, so you know if he's ready for a toddler bed. All kids are different, so it's really up to you. Good luck!

I just remembered a cute story my mom told me about the first night they moved my older brother to a big boy bed. They found him the next morning in the middle of all his stuffed animals in the corner, kinda like in "ET". She said it was the cutest thing! He felt safer there, I guess!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.S.

answers from Dallas on

I'm so glad you asked this question b/c I was wondering the same thing.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Dallas on

We moved both of ours -- daughter to a full-sized bed and son to a toddler bed -- at 17 months and they did great. We made sure the bedroom was as safe as could be first -- take care of blinds cords, bolted the dresser and bookshelf to the wall, etc. With our daughter, she wasn't tall enough to reach the door knob, and she just stayed on the bed. We'd hear her wake up through the baby monitor, then go and find her sitting there waiting for us in the morning. For our son, he also just stayed on the bed til we came and got him. He could reach the door knob, so we put a baby gate on his door. We didn't have problems with them coming to find us in the middle of the night until about age 3 or so when they started having typical childhood fears like being afraid of the dark, thinking something was in the closet, etc. I wouldn't count on a consistent full night's sleep until he's moved out of the house!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Dallas on

Hi, I am a mother of a 21 month old we took down her crib at 16 months. She did fine. It will take about a week of just re directing him to the big- boy bed. I would sit with her for while and she watches t.v so it went fine. One mistake was letting her sleep with me little to often she slept with me maybe once a week but here lately she has slept with me every nite and it has gotten harder. She use to just go straight to bed now its a fight to go to bed but they get tired enough and they will sleep. If you think he would do fine and hes a good sleeper then he will do fine just be ready for a little of redirecting every nite. but it gets better and soon he will just walk into his room and climb in bed. well good luck and i think hes ready if not soon will be.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions