Hi,
We transitioned our son to his toddler bed about a week ago. He did very well the first day/night with naps and nighttime. Gradually he has taken to sleeping and napping in front of the door. This means that he wakes up easier because the floorboards creak any time someone walks in front of the door. He also takes longer to go down for naps. We'd like to keep him in the big boy bed as opposed to going back to the crib because we'd like to transition our daughter to the crib (she's six months). We have access to a second crib, so if it's better for my son we could put him back in the crib. But otherwise, any suggestions on how to help him stay in his bed? I think he fell out of it one night and that makes him hesitant. I know it's normal to have kids not sleep in their beds for awhile, but I'd like him to get a good night's rest. Thanks!
I had to just let my son sleep on the floor, we didn't do very well with the toddler bed. Either back in the crib, or let it go until he's ready- then he will sleep in the bed that is provided
To get my kids to sleep in the toddler bed we had to start them out at the foot of our bed. We put the bed at the bottom end of the bed for about a week. They got use to it and decided that they were ok to sleep in their own room as long as they had a night light
From all that I have heard from other moms, when they put their 2 year old in a toddler bed, they fight that battle for months. I will say this: we just transitioned our 3 year old into a big girl bed and she has not had any problems, other than during naptime, which she is slowly giving up anyway. If you feel he's not ready, get another crib. With a new baby, give yourself a break and wait until he's old enough to understand what it is you're doing. A lot of kids I know need that boundary of the crib, so maybe he does too.
Bottom line is you have to do what works best for you and your family, but don't feel bad about going back to a crib to save yourself some stress.
Good luck!
When we transitioned our daughter to a big girl bed we first put the mattress on the floor for a few weeks. Then we put the box spring down under the mattress for a few weeks and finally the bed frame up. I think it helped with a fear of falling out (both mine and hers! hahaha). Good luck, I did have about 2 weeks of wanting to put the crib back up to keep her contained but we made it through and now she's fine in the big bed.
We put our daughter's mattress on the floor, also. She started sleeping this way at 14 months. Eventually, she asked us to "fix" her bed and we put it back together.
You should read him the children's book, I Sleep In My Own Bed (www.isleepinmyownbed.com). The cute illustrations and text will teach him that his own bed and room are made exactly for him so no other room or anyone else in his room just wouldn't work.
It worked for my daughter who would either sleep in our room or beg for one of us to stay with her. But this book really changed all of that; she always wants it read to her before bed now.
I highly suggest it!
Our boys are 21 months apart and we knew our oldest wasn't ready for a big boy bed when the baby went to the crib. He was finally sleeping well after adjusting to the new baby. We had one crib for each boy until the oldest was almost 3. We started talking to him about the big boy bed and he was very excited, especially since his friends had big boy beds. It seemed easier when he was older and could really understand and be reasoned with. The transition couldn't have gone better. He still likes the mattress on the floor, but that's a battle we won't worry about until it's worth fighting!
We transitioned my daughter to a toddler bed when she was 2 years 8 months because her baby brother was on the way. Each kid is an individual and what works for one may not work for another, of course. But, what worked for us was setting up her pack and play in her room. We told her if she didn't stay in her big girl bed when it was time for sleeping she would have to sleep in the pack and play instead. She was so exicted and proud to have her big girl bed that the alternative pack and play wasn't at all appealing to her.
Perhaps offer him his old crib as an option and let him decide on a daily basis? With that choice, he might prefer the toddler bed. But if he chooses the crib, you know your answer, put the baby in the 2nd crib.
I'd set up the crib in his room, and have both options truly ready for him to choose between. You could even give him a month (or more) of choosing, or however long it takes till he wants the toddler bed.
I also like the idea of putting the mattress on the floor (if you only have 2 mattresses between the 2 kids). That seems safer to me, and each night you could ask him if he wants the mattress on the floor or in his bed...
We have a 2.5 year old with a new baby on the way and I'm also concerned the toddler won't do well in a big-kid bed. Curious to hear what you decide to do!
