When is the best time to transition from a crib to a bed?

Question

My son is 2 years old and loves his crib. He does not climb out, and he still fits. When should we transition him to a regular bed? We bought a toddler bed a while back, but if he stays in his crib long enough he may go right to a twin size. When did you do it and how?? Advice Please!

Also, he snuggles up on top of his pillow on one end of the crib (against the side rails) every time he goes to sleep. How can I break him of this habit? He will no doubt fall out of a real bed if he does this! The toddler bed has no side rails because it is one of those race car ones.

Answer 1

If he's not too big and doesn't climb out then I don't see anything wrong with him staying in it right now. I would start setting his toddler bed up when he's 2 1/2 just to see if maybe he wants to try it out but by age 3 I would say he needs to be out of the crib for good.

Answer 2

Both of my kids were about two when we put them in a twin size bed. Both times I was out of town, and while I was gone my husband took the cribs down and put their crib mattress on the floor. They slept on that for about a week and then we took them to the furniture store and made a big deal about getting them a Big Boy Bed. We let them pick out a special set of sheets. We also got side rails for the bed so they wouldn't fall out. I've tried to take the side rail off the 4 year old's bed but he was scared. That's the only thing I've had trouble with. They really didn't miss their cribs. But cirbs are designed to be used until 4 years. It's really up to you and your child. There are a lot of ways to make the transition, but this way worked really well for us.

Answer 3

You can buy some toddler bed rails that tuck under the mattress so your little one wont fall out. My son was 18 months, the recomended age according to the box when we bought his bed. His bed is the convertible crib/toddler/full bed. He feels more grown up and is very good about sleeping in his "big boy" bed. i would suggest you try your son out now. Its better to learn at a young age so he doesnt become dependant on the side rails of the crib to keep him from falling out. Try WalMart for the bedrails. They are made of mesh material and tuck under the mattress, so they will probably work for the racecar bed. Good luck.

Answer 4

there is really no set time in transition from a crib to a bed..sounds like your 2 yr old..is content with his crib..he will let you know when he is ready to change ..by climbing out or in some way...relax..enjoy the comfort of his crib..as for sleeping next to side rails..maybe put buddy pillows or make something that will give a little padding for that purpose..if you put him in a bed he might not sleep as good as if he was in his crib..and he surely would move all over the bed ..

Answer 5

My first two children were just over 2 when I started having them sleep in a toddler bed. I was pregnant and would be needing the crib again. My third child was almost three. If you don't need the crib and he is not trying to climb out leave him in his crib.

Answer 6

At our last ped. visit my daughters doctor said whenever was fine and at that time she was 16 months old...she is a mover at night so we are putting her bed up and against the wall plus buying the safety rail for the other side. We are moving her this month for two reasons she keeps getting her legs caught in the rails and we are going to have another baby so we will need the crib in feb. Hopefully this will give us enough time to transition! hope all goes well with your little guy!

Answer 7

Both my kids went into a regular bed with an attachable rail at about 18 months. Some parents even just place a twin mattress on the floor.

Answer 8

Hello,

I was going to wait until my twins ( 13 months) are 3 years old. I mean, seriously, do you want you son getting up constantly and walking around the house and waking you up?

No, right?

I can't even image letting my girls be in a twin bed by until they are 3, maybe 2.5 years old??!

I mean, since you have the crib, get as much use out of it while you can, right?

Hope this helps you.................. : - O

Answer 9

I put my son in a real bed at 17mths.. He was getting way to big for the crib and he did really good with the bed!! It really all depends on your judgement.. But they do have seperate rails that attach on to the bed at Babies R us.. They're not expensive at all!! Do what you think is best! Good luck to you

Answer 10

When I was 2 I refused to sleep in my crib and slept on the floor all the time, that's when my parents realized I needed a real bed.