Wondering When to Put My Daughter in a Big Bed.....

When she starts to climb out of the crib, it is no longer safe. Go for the toddler bed with side rails if you're concerned about safety. It's lower to the ground and the side rails help them to learn to sleep in the middle of the bed. My son was 16 months when he made the switch. We put the toddler bed in the room with the crib at first, then he started taking his naps on the toddler bed (because I knew I'd be awake to hear him through the monitor if he fell or something), then after a week or so, we made the switch completely - he loved it!

I put both of my kids in big beds at 1 yr with side rails. Don't worry about feeling lost we all do at some point or another.

I waited until my kids were 18 mos. Unless she is trying to climb out theres no real reason to hurry her. Know the lost feeling too. Going back to work helped me, but then there's a new set of issues, even though the hours are super flexible and my hubby and I work together. You have to find a balance that works for you and your family, everyone is better off when mom is happy right?

Good luck and best wishes.

K.

Both of my kids got a toddler bed for their first birthdays. The first week or two I had to put them back in their beds a million times, but once they figured out I was serious about bedtime they slept in them all night from then on. My friend has twin girls that are 2 and they still share a babybed with no problem, she plans to get them a full size bed to share when they turn 3. I think it's totally up to the parents when they choose to move the kids to a bigger bed, the kids will sleep wherever they're taught to sleep.

My daughter is also 14 months and she has a toddler bed already she does sleep in it but some nights i let her sleep in the bed with me.

ok well then here is the question... is she climbing out of the bed yet? If yes , than a toddler bed WITH RAILS is the way to go, if no, then girl, enjoy your freedom.

But just in case a toddler bed is the way to go...I just found a very cute toddler bed at walmart.com of DORA THE EXPLORER. It comes in a set with a table and chairs I think, for only a $100, not a bad deal. With Christmas coming, you can make it a big production out of it. We did it my son (3 1/2 now) and it worked!!!

Good luck!!!

Hello C., I started putting my kids in a toddler bed when I knew they could climb up and down off beds good. Like i have a 10 month old and she still falls occasionally. With my first two kids who are 6 yrs and and 4 yrs, i put them in a toddler bed at 15 to 16 months. so if you are comfortable with her in a toddler bed and you think she is comfortable then go for it. but make sure ur ready. Its diffantly a change. I hope I could help.

I wouldn't put her in a big bed until she is at least 2 years old. My two boys stayed in their cribs until then and at about 2 years old they got to go help me pick out their big boy bed and they were so excited. I just think she is still little enough to be in her crib for a few more months. I wouldn't put her in a big bed to early. But you are her mother and you should do what you think is the right thing for your daughter.

I agree with Anna L.
Make sure she can get in and out safely. And not roll out of bed either. She'e still kind of young. I would still keep her in a crib. Unless she can climb out.

I would wait till she start to climb out of her crib. My daughter is 18 months and has not tried so is still in her crib. I am also concerned that a toddler bed might have her wake up and play or something.

Hi C.,
Does your daughter climb out of her bed? Once you put her in a toddler bed you will lose that built in "containment system" that you have in place. If she is climbing out however that is a different issue. Both my kids were in toddler beds before their first bdays because I was concerned they were going to harm themselves falling over the rail. If she is content in her bed then I would leave her as long as she is comfortable up to age 2. Then I would let her pick out her toddler bed and have a "graduation ceremony" the first night. New jammies, new bed buddy, and get ready for limit testing because she will then have the freedom to get up and express her displeasure at having to go to bed. My daughter was sneakier than my son. She would quietly play and if I did not check on her frequently I would have never known she was up. My son was another issue, he always hit the floor running and there was no doubt he was up. Of course we call him the King of Noise.

Good luck with your growing young lady and it is okay to feel lost sometimes. If your daughter sees you asking for help when you need it you will be an awesome example for her to learn from. You are in my prayers,
C.

The road will be hard now if she's been in the bed with you, but I you have room but a toddler bed in your room first, and after awhile in her room. You will still need some type of monitor though, kids like to explore sometimes at night.
Your not lost, your tasting motherhood, and like anything else take it a step at a time.
Hope this helps,
Loriann

My daughter stayed in her crib until she was 2.5 years old. For us, we didn't want her walking around the house by herself (which will happen once they're in a toddler bed) and so we waited until we had more confidence in her ability to navigate the house. I've heard some folks move them to a bed as early as 18 months and as late as 3, but 2.5 was perfect for us. If your daughter is perfectly happy in her crib and not trying to climb out, I'd advocate keeping her in her crib until you have a need to move her to a bed. (like she's getting too big, climbing out, new baby on the way, etc.)

i put my daughter in a toddler bed with railing when she was almost 18 mo. old, but that was only because she started climbing out of her crib.

oddly enough I just put a similar request in about my daughter. My daughter just turned 3 and is still in a crib. My honest opinion on it is that you can let her stay in the crib as long as she isn't climbing out or wanting to sleep in a big girl bed. As with potty training, and many other developmental steps your daughter will tell you when she's ready. Most babies don't go into the big girl bed until at least 2. (with some exceptions if she starts climbing out before then) Good luck, hun, but in all honesty there's no need to rush her out of there. Enjoy the baby days while you can!!

I have a 2 and 1/2 year old and a 16 month old. When my son was born, my daughter was just over a year old. We only had 1 crib and not enough money for a second. We decided our daughter was still too young for a toddler bed, so our son slept in a bassinet for the first couple of months. At about 15 months old, we put our daughter in a toddler bed, and she's been in it since then. She didn't have any problems. We were sure to make it something exciting for her, instead of something she had to do. She loved it!