Toddler Climbing in and Out of the Crib

Like all the other moms said - once they can climb out they will. Mine is pushing 3 and climbs out all the time but wants the side up to sleep so we are not moving him yet. He has a toddler bed that we will set up soon as it is closer to the floor than a regular bed (and they are pretty cheap - and extend the life of a crib mattress). Make his room safe - try a gate - lower the side - but don't worry - he will be fine. Someone told me once that they put a baby door protecter on the inside... best of luck.

Once they get a taste of getting out they won't stop. My first son was in a twin bed at 15 months but not for climbing out, and his brother, who is 12 months younger, did climb out. I lowered the crib side for him and he didn't fall out at night but could easily climb out in the morning. I didn't feel it was a risk to him lowered but maybe you'd prefer to go to a safer toddler bed, mattress on the floor or other safer arrangement. I did put a gate at the door of the room but with a climber it is not always going to work either. He did stay in there with the gate until he learned to reach over and take it down. Those two taught me most of what I know about kids. :-) My other six were easier because I had learned by then. And they do grow up so moving out of the crib often happens before we are ready.

Sounds like he's telling you that he IS ready for a toddler bed.

Sad to say, it is time for a "big boy" bed. Once they start climbing out the crib, there is nothing you can do but get a toddler bed or twin size bed. Good Luck!

My son was, and still is (at 4) a super climber. The first time he realized he could climb out of the crib he was so excited and proud of himself. We had to get rid of the crib very early - there was no point in it anymore! He would just pop out as soon as I put him in there. If you're not comfortable with the real bed yet, you could try just putting the mattress on the floor. At least that way you know if he rolls over too far, there's really not anywhere for him to fall to. Personally, my son just found the toddler bed to be more of a challenge. His bed was a convertable from crib to toddler to full size, so the ends of the bed were really high - something new for him to climb on, walk across and jump from. I've given up on stopping mine and just concentrate on teaching him the best way to jump down without hurting himself! Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

I purchased a Tot's in Mind Cozy Crib Tent II when my daughter first climbed out of her crib at 11 months old. It's made of a cotton mesh so it's machine washable, it's breathable, and not at all claustraphobic. They are kind be pricey. I got mine used off of EBay for half of what a new one costs. It doesn't prevent her from waking up and screaming to get out of her crib, but it does keep her from climbing over the rails and running amuck. Be sure to check the measurements of the tent you want to purchase because all cribs are not compatable with all crib tents. I've heard arguments for and against crib tents, but have had no problem with ours. As an added bonus, it also prevents the cat from jumping into her crib in the middle of the night and waking her up.

Good luck.

I agree with the other Mama's, it is time to exchange the crib for a bed. I would not fiddle with a toddler bed, he will be ready to graduate to a regular bed before you know it, why waste the time and money? You can get one of those safety rails to put up if it makes you feel better, but it is just one more thing for me to crawl over. Make a big production out of his "big boy bed"...let him help you pick out his first set of sheets and new pillows and he will love it!!

It sounds like he is ready for a big boy bed. My son is 15 months old and started sleeping in a twin bed without the frame at 13 months old. My daughter was 16 months old when she started sleeping in a twin bed too. At least with a toddler bed or just a mattress on the floor its a whole lot less of a fall than him falling off the top of the crib.

actually as soon as they can climb out of the crib they are ready for a toddler bed. my daughter is 18 months old and we switched her to a toddler bed at 15 months because she would do nothing but scream in the crib. He will be fine in a toddler bed. if you are afraid of him getting out of his room either shut the door or find a gate that he can't climb over.

Just to remind you toddlers are a lot hardier than us adults give them credit for. other than maybe a bruise or two is isn't likely to get hurt unless he falls on a toy. just remember they will grow up even if we don't want them to.

Go to a toddler bed.

If he is already climbing in and out of the crib - what difference does it make if he is using a toddler bed other than it is a lot safer if there should be a fall. Make a HUGE deal about how big he is and that he can stay in there all night. My oldest HATED being in the cage. It took a long time for me to figure it out - - but once I took understood what he was fearing - I put him in his big boy bed...close to the ground and he did so much better! My neice had similar issues and has been in a toddler bed since she was one.

Some kids cannot be fenced in. LOL I think you need to try a toddler bed for his safety. They are low to the ground. Good luck. Oh my granddaughters were that age when they got tod beds.

Looks like most people said 1) move him to a toddler bed which is definitely something to consider. We have not found the time to completely toddler proof our's room to make this work. I can think of a couple other options.

2) You could get a crib tent that attaches to the top of the crib. I know a few parents who have done this and said that it worked well. I know that my son is particularly patient when he wants to figure out how things attach and unattach - so I felt that this would not be real deterant.
3) If he tends to climb out shortly after you put him in, you can take more time with him to either get him to a comfortable state to put him down, or put him down asleep. This is actually the case with my son, who has a twin sister. We have had several incidents when he has climbed out of his bed but he has not done this with any consistency - I believe this is because we have responded to his need to be with us to wind down when he has gone through these periods.

Good luck with the getting in and out of crib thing - we've struggled with that with our youngest. The important thing to know is that a child will not get hurt climbing out of a crib - the fall is not that great (it isn't like they are standing on that top rail and falling over backwards or anything) and they are usually really good at doing it. So getting a crib tent or anything else is just a means to try to keep them in - it isn't a safety consideration. Good luck.

toddler bed. once they climb out it is time for the next step. A lot of kids move to the toddler bed at this age. My oldest was in one at 16 months and did fine with it. You just have to make sure his room is child proofed and you can put a gate up to his door so he can't wander around the house while you are asleep although if he climbs that much he will probably climb over the gate as well. The kids had enough books and toys in their room and kept them entertained when they woke up early in the morning. They didn't come out of their room until we were up and they were usually sitting on their bed looking at a book or playing quietly with a few toys.

Have you thought about putting a mattress just on the floor for him to sleep? If you strip his room of anything that he could get hurt from, then just put a gate up in his doorway that he can't get out of and he will be safe. They soon learn to stay on the bed and if they 'roll' out it's not far from the ground. Good luck!

why risk his safety? Put him in a toddler bed or just put his mattress on the floor.

My little man was the same way. We moved him to a toddler bed at 18 months. For a few nights we had to put him back into the bed several times but after that he slept great. Hope it works out.

Yep, I definitely think it's time for a big boy bed. We moved our daughter to a bed at 17 mos and she did great! I think toddler beds are a waste of money though. We went straight to a twin bed, on a bunkee board, in a frame on the lowest setting. She's only about 1 foot off the ground. Or, you could just put the mattress & box frame on the floor. You can also buy rails to tuck under the mattress to keep him from rolling out.

I understand your hesitation, even if he is "graceful" you really can't afford to take a chance can you? What if he is overly tired and attempts to climb out and falls? Ready or not i think you need to switch to a toddler bed, my sympathies are with you, my son is almost 28 months old and he is STILL in his crib, but he doesn't climb out either, the day he does we will be taking it down...I wish I had a better alternative for you
B.