Toddler Bed Issues -- NEED ADVICE ASAP!

Hi I am in a similar situation but luckily my second child is older. I would definetly leave the 15 month old in the crib and get another one for the new baby. My peditrician always said leave them in the crib as long as you can because they will never sleep as well once they are out. My 2 1/2 year old was moved to a bottom bunk bed Memorial day weekend and she has done okay but even now as she is more aware of the new baby on the way she is regressing a bit...and wants to be babied. I think it will work out fine for her but for you and the young age I wouldn't fight it. I think it will be better for you and the 15 month old in long run to keep the crib. Maybe you can borrow one or get a used one for the new baby.
Good Luck!

hello H. h
my girls went from a crib to a twin bed at about 15 to 18 mo with no problem they might cry a little bit but did fine .but mine never liked the crib we always get new blanket set something real cool that they like it make it a bit easyer i would not give up

There are two opitions for you.

1. Use crib for 15 month old and a bassinet for the new arrival.

2. Or if you don't have a bassinet use a playpen till your 15 month old is ready to move into a toddler bed.

When we are traveling our 2 year old sleeps in a playpen still.

When my second daughter was born (my girls are 18 months apart) she slept in our room (just not our bed) and I put her in the pack and play to sleep. We started with the bassinet portion, but then due to reflux we had to elevate the bottom a little bit. She slept in that for at least 9 months. By then we had transitioned our older daughter to a twin size bed. I think she was just over 2 at the time. It went very smooth. I would leave the toddler bed up in her room and let her set the pace. In the meantime, plan on using the pack and play, they are much cheaper and work just as well!!!

I would wait. Too much undue stress on both of you. You don't need to deal with this as the new baby comes, either. We keep our kids in cribs for a much shorter time than our parents/gparents did. They are called 6year cribs. Granted, that seems like a long time, but my 2.5 year old is just not ready for a toddler bed, and I have no reason to stress over it. At this point, neither do you. :)

I agree with the post before mine, I would put them both up and let her get used to it. Instead of buying a second crib I would try a craddle or bassinet for the new baby. good luck.

How about just using a pack-n-play for the newborn? I have 4 under the age of 5 -- I can certainly relate to have many little ones in the house -- there's no rule that says a newborn has to sleep in a crib. I agree with an earlier post that said you'll know when the time is right, and it certainly doesn't sound like the time is right. Give yourself a break, relax, you don't have to do this right now!

Hello :)
My suggestion, based purely on my own experience, would be to leave her in her crib. It's best, I think, to wait until they seem ready for one reason or another. We moved our oldest when he was around 2 1/2 due to the fact that he was climbing out (he's now 4) and with him it was quite an adjustment just because he loved his new-found freedom and wouldn't stay in his toddler bed. With my other little guy, we moved him at 2 1/2 as well, but this time it was due to the fact that I am expecting at the end of September and baby sister will be using his crib :) We would not have done this yet since he has had no interest in climbing out and we aren't yet ready to potty train, but we wanted to transition him well in advance of her arrival so that he would be fully comfortable in his new "big boy" bed before she arrived and not feel as though she had taken his place in the crib. That being said, with my littly guy, the transition was much easier - he almost never tries to get out of his toddler bed! To summarize, do what feels best for you and your daughter - my feeling, based on what you've written, is that she's not ready yet. Hope this helps!

K. :)

Hi H. H,

We moved our daughter (age 2) to a regular (full) sized bed when I was expecting her brother without any problems. When my son was 18 months old I switched him to a toddler bed and to a twin sized bed at age 3.

The first couple of nights he did get out of the bed but slept in the floor...at least that's where I found him the following morning. I did have a baby gate up in his doorway because his rooom was close to the stairs (going down). When he woke up he would just come to the baby and yell for me. It was really cute.

For naps I would close his door to keep his sister from disturbing him with hugs and kisses. Good luck and hang in there. Only you know what will work the best for you so trust your judgment.

Hello there - I think you know in your heart that your 15-month-old is way too young too move. She's happy in her crib and only a baby too - please don't expect her to suddenly become a big girl when she's so small. Perhaps she'll be ready when she's two, two and a half or even three. I think you're going to have to get a second crib. Also, don't expect your three-year-old to grow up quickly because of the other two - that really wouldn't be fair. I'm sure it's going to be very crazy in your household for a while but if you give each child plenty of love it will work out. When they're older they'll probably be very close. Good luck - Alison

I know each child is different, but personally I think 15 months is still too young. At that age, if she is perfectly content to stay in her crib, I would keep her in a crib. I do know of people who had their 1 year olds in a toddler bed, but that was because they were constantly climbing out of their cribs.
I had my daughter switch to a toddler bed at age 2 yrs 1 mon. And this was because I was concerned for her safety, as she was always climbing out of the crib.
It will be enough of a life-change for your 15 month old having a new baby in the house. So, if it were me, I would keep her in the crib until she is ready. I think you will just know when SHE is ready. But for most kids I think the transition is between 2-3 yrs old.

Is there someone you could borrow a crib from? 15 months does seem really young. My first did not transition to a toddler bed until he was 3! At 3 he was old enough to truly understand that he was supposed to stay in his bed and what the consequences were if he didn't. I also think the pack n' play with the basinnet would work for the new baby for a good long while if you can't borrow a crib from someone. Good luck and God Bless!

my kids are 18 months apart. I did nto even consider getting the older child out of the crib when the new baby came.. I knew taht I would be so busy with the new baby that I couldnt deal with a mobile toddler.

My older child just now moved out of her crib at 3.5 years.. we have had to put her back in bed a couple of times.. but by and large she stays in her bed.. she is old enough to understand .. your 15 month old is not old enough to understand..

put her back in her crib...

buy a second crib your sanity is worht it.. I am suer you can get a crib and mattress for $200 and then you will know that your toddler is safe in teh bed and is not wandering around the house..

Why don't you keep the baby in an infant bed next to your side of the bed until about 6 months? Then you can lean on the "big sister" aspect of this. My first 2 were 12 1/2 mos apart and this is what I did. I always like to have the baby next to me anyway - much safer and more comforting for us both.

Hi,
I don't think there's a magic age when to move them. Every child is different and if you think she isn't ready she probably isn't. What I did with both of my kids was put up the toddler bed up and they got used to it being around. Then I would give them an option of sleeping in the crib or bed. It took awile for them to stay in their bed but they got it eventually. It's a big step for a child so take it slow. Good luck
Chris

Save your sanity and buy or borrow another crib. I didn't move my son out of a crib until he was 3.5 and it went very smooth. No issues with getting out of bed when it is bed time. By 3 they are old enough to understand that its bedtime and its time for sleep.

My doctor said to wait until they start to climb out of the crib to tranistion. But I understand your situation as well. You can always keep trying, but she really may not be ready. Maybe make a big deal out of it. Let her pick out new bedding, or maybe a special character pillow that she likes. I hope this helps a little.

I will have 3 ages 3 and under soon (hopefully 2 weeks or less!), so I feel for you!

We just transitioned my oldest (at age 3) to a toddler bed - and it was a nightmare for about 3 nights, then everything settled down. He still wakes earlier than he used to, and he isn't napping as well, but maybe he's ready to give up that nap... We put a door handle lock (childproofing kind) on the inside of his door, and close it at night.
But....your 15 mo might be a bit too young?
Every child is different, of course.
My oldest 2 are 18 months apart, and we bought a second crib for the younger one. For our third (who is 20 months younger than #2) we will be borrowing a crib & buying a new mattress - I can't see moving my 20 mo to a toddler bed with a newborn! For a while during the transition with my oldest, I was very much considering being in a 3-crib house! LOL ~

Check craigslist.com too, there are always some great deals on there if you're looking for an inexpensive crib. Walmart also has some nice online deals if you want new, and I've been checking the local Once Upon a Child stores too.

You're not alone :) Good luck with everything.