Switiching to a Toddler Bed

you can do the transfer now. I transfered my daughter when she was 8 months old so now would be the best time

Now. Once they fall out, you should transition because it has become dangerous for him to stay in the crib. However, if you can move the mattress down another notch, do that. If it's down as low as it goes, it's time to move out of a crib.

Oh 18 months is pretty young--you will have so many more problems if you move him to a toddler bed now...I would say hold out AT LEAST until he's 2....
Have you considered a crib tent? This was my plan if my son started getting out of his crib too young.
http://www.securebaby.com/crib_tents_all.html

If you don't want to spend that kind of money, I'm sure someone is selling a used on on ebay or craigslist....

i have a 2 year old. so i asked our pediatrician who said to keep them in it until three UNLESS your child starts climbing out, then it is time to try the transition. so i am thinking it is about time for you. good luck!

When you are ready, seriously. We live in a two story, so I had to have child gates across her door, the rail across her bed, baby proof her room again, nightlight that she couldn't break, and all that. She was about your child's age when we switched. Before that we also have cats, one of which loved tojump into the crib, so I got the cat net (the net holds the matress so if you had a bumper you had to weave it in between the bars and net.) She did great with the net. Good luck! JEN

Hi L.,

What worked for both of my boys was a bed rail. Under $20. at any baby store, Toys R'Us, Target, etc. My 7 year-old still uses one as he is a "rotating" sleeper! We also take it with us when traveling so the child on the outside of the bed doesn't fall on the floor. That and a nice, low-to-the-floor toddler bed will hopefully do the trick for you. My youngest (the 7 year old now) could hike himself up and out of the crib by about the same age as your baby... I empathisize with you!

All the best to you and your little ones,

C.

I believe that when a young toddler climbs out of the bed, you pick them up & put them right back. they learn that they need to stay in. if all else fails, then I'd get a crib tent.
I don't like the idea of my little one able to roam the house- yes it's dangerous to fall out of the crib but I believe that as the mother (parents) we can get the young toddler to stay in the crib where it is ultimately safer. just my opinion & experience. my son climbed out once & we just put him back in firmly and said "In!" "Night night!" just like any other time putting him to bed. I happen to LIKE the crib...obviously I'm the odd one out, lol

I'd say he is ready, lol!! Ihope he is ok!!--C.

SAFTEY is first . if she could get out of her crib then she is ready we put our son in a toddler bed at 14 months. and we put a kiddie gate up and his monitor was on. He did great from the first day on (we did change his bed time from 8 to 9 and if he could do it we kind of winged out his first nap as long as he was ok. but if he was tired we put him down,we did this so that he would be tired and when we put him in the bed he would fall asleep fast). if we are sleeping he is loud enough that we would get up but there are times that he gets up and will play for a while then he would start to talk loud so that we could hear him then we will get up and do our daily routine. but yes i would change his bed.We asked our Peds. and he said to do it because SAFTEY comes first and if he falls out the crib the wrong way or anyway for that matter he could do some serious harm to himself. good luck
Kimmy

I switched my son to a toddler bed at 18 months. The criteria I used (along with necessity- my daughter needed to move from the bassinet) was that my son was able to walk and could climb in and out of the bed with little to no assistance, to prevent dangerous falls. The bed was flush against the wall with no spaces for him to get stuck in during the middle of the night. We never used a nightlight, but should think about it now that my daughter is getting older and playing in the crib after she wakes more.
I would suggest you start getting him used to it at naptime, then gradually move him into it at night. That's what worked for us. Oh, and his favorite character linens help with transition as well.

We switched our daughter at around 18 months. To stop them from roaming the house use a kiddie gate! Definitely get the bed rails though. Good luck.

Don't do it,,,KEEP THAT CHILD IN THAT CRIB as long as possible!...I made the mistake of converting the crib to a toddler bed cuz I thought she was ready - (and the toddler bed was so cute)
She can get in "all by herself" I thought, not so much...she quickly learned how to roam around the house and make it to our room were she now has the habit of waking us up at 2:30 or 3am and gets between us, only to sing her ABC's at that ungodly hour. Really think it through.
Good luck

We switch our daughter right around 18 months. We made sure we had a pillow or large cuddle on the open side of the bed. The first couple of nights were a challenge, since she tried to get out of bed several times a night and she had a different excuse every time. Just stay put to your decision and make sure he understands that he needs to go to sleep. Now my daughter feels like a big girl and sleeps trhough the night like an angel.

Thanks,

K. E.
www.lunababyproducts.com

What I've heard and read is that as soon as your child begins to climb out or want out, that it's time to transition to a regular bed. My son is 20 months old and he is still okay in his crib. But by age 2 or thereafter I will be transitioning him into a regular bed. Good luck!

Good question. My son is 18 months and really tall so he moves so much on his crib that he barely fits...Its hilarious. I just didnt know at what age to make the switch. I will try the toddler bed now with the rails as suggested. Thanks for asking that question.

I have always been told that when they start to climb out and can hurt themselves, its time to move to a bigger and safer bedding arrangement! I would try buying rails for a regular toddler bed if you dont have a crib that converts. Kmart has a twin set of rails for like $34.00. Good luck!