When and How Did You Transition from Crib to Toddler Bed?

We moved our first when she was 17 months for the same reason. She was 22 months when our second was born. We used our full-sized guest bed. We set it up in her room next to the crib and continued to put her to bed in her crib for a few days. At the weekend, we ran errands until she fell asleep in the car, then put her in the big bed already asleep. The next day I took her out of the house while my husband disassembled the crib and put up a play kitchen in its place. She ran into her room, excited about the kitchen, and didn't say a word about the crib being missing. We put her to bed in the big bed that night, and she's been there ever since. We never had a problem with her staying up late, coming out of the room, etc. Seems like from my friend's experiences, the younger they are when you move them, the smoother the transition (in general, that is).
It was so easy at 17 months with her that we did the same thing with our second child (even though there was no sibling coming along to kick him out of his crib). It was just as easy with him!

When my son transitioned from his crib to his 'big boy' bed, we talked about it for a long time before we did it. Finally, we ended up going for it b/c he asked to sleep in it. Our first mistake was that his old crib was still in the room. So, we took it out and then just had to be patient while he was too excited to actually sleep. And also- has your son ever slept in a pack and play? If so, maybe set it up in a different room for naps and then have him transition to that first. He might still be too little when his baby sister is born to go into a bigger bed. So maybe the pack and play could be the answer in place of buying another crib? Good luck!

My children are 22 months apart and I put my daughter in a toddler bed when she was 17 months old. I didn't want her to feel she was losing her bed to her new brother. She did great. But...when we transitioned my son to a toddler bed, he was about 2 years old and I really should have waited. He wandered alot for quite awhile before he got the hang of staying in bed.

As an FYI...we moved before my son was old enough for a toddler bed and the movers destroyed our crib...so we had to purchase a second crib anyway. We found one that worked wonderfully at Babies R Us for about 100.00. While that is still quite a bit of money, it was significantly cheaper than the first crib and worked well. It also transitioned into a toddler bed. You may want to invest in a second crib if you are not certain that your first is ready to go to a toddler bed.
Good luck! A.

We just moved our 17 month old to a regular bed for the same reason, number 2 is due the end of Feb. We put an extra queen mattress on the floor in his room and let him get use to it. Then we only put him in the bed if he was already asleep. If we were out and he fell asleep in the car we put him in the big bed. We did this for about two weeks and then one night we put him down in the big bed awake and that is where he stayed. Naps are different. I continued to let him sleep in his crib for naps for a while. Then last week I said it's nap time and he went to his room and climbed in bed so we officially removed the crib from his room. We took it slow and did not expect him to transition so soon, but I guess when they are ready their ready. We are going to wait a little while longer before buying a regular twin bed. Best of luck and congrats on number two!

I just moved my 2 year old son(24 months) into his CARS toddler bed cold turkey. We took the crib out of his room but kept the same blankets for now. The first night we made sure he was REALLY tired then put him to bed with the same routine and he slept all night. The second night was not as easy he got up a played after we left the room but we had a small gate at the doorway so he can not wander the house. The third night he slept again. It has been 2 weeks now and he is doing great. I think consistency is key :)
Good luck, M. www.SaferForYourHome.com/Texas for info on safer alternatives for your baby

My sister and I recently put my our kids in their toddler beds, my daughter is 17 months and my nephew Ethan is 19 months. We both tried when they were about 15 months but they didn't like the bed, they were still too young I think. I would suggest to wait a few more months to try to get him in the bed, but keep it out and continue to try to get him to at least take naps in it or try and get him to lay down and tell him what a big boy he is now sleeping in a big kid bed. My daughter cried the first time I put her in her bed but I sat on the floor next to her and comforted her til she went to sleep. Good luck!

Our children are 19 months apart. We took down the crib(put it out of sight) and our daughter slept in a toddler bed at about 13 months. There is the issue of them being able to get out of bed by themselves! We put the crib out of sight for 6 months, so she wouldnt think she got kicked out of it for the new baby. After baby arrived we put the crib up for a couple of months for her to see, but put baby in a bassinet. She remembered the crib, but didnt want to go back into it!

My two are 16 months apart and I really did not want to purchase another crib either, but after talking with several people and our pediatrician we bought another crib. Our pediatrician said there is no amount of money worth saving to keep your child sleeping through the night. But your son might be totally different than my daughter was and he is a bit older. I would probably start with just taking naps in the toddler bed and see how that goes. With my daughter we just told her we were making her crib into a big girl bed and she loved it. Since the first day we converted the bed she has been sleeping in it without ever getting out. I would just make a huge deal on how great it is to sleep in a big boy bed and continue to do so until he wants to sleep in it.

I know you don't want to hear this, but my advice it to buy another crib and put a crib tent on the one that you already have. You do not need a toddler running around in the middle of the night when you are up with a new baby. If you make a big, fun deal out of the tent it will become part of your bedtime routine and your older child will love it and that frees you up to decide when to transition to a toddler bed (or a converted crib) well after the baby is on a good night time schedule. I have done it both ways and highly recommend keeping the older one in a situation that is working especially during the stressful transition of a new baby. Good luck!