changing my crib to a toddler bed?

Question

ok, so i want more details.. none seem to cover this.. i have a toddler that can climb 'into his crib'... he is capable of climbing out im sure (a he climbs shelves in the house) but he doesnt climb out of the crib so far..
im excited ti change him from a crib to toddler bed, but also weary of the work of keeping him in a toddler bed.... as he is the child that even though i will probably put up a baby gate.. he will stay up till four in the morning playing before sleeping in a bed.. if not confined...
Even though him crawling out of his bed might hurt,, i think iv seen him take worse tumbles about four times a day ( i have nick named him evil kenevil...lol)
So the fact that even though he can climb out, versus he hasnt so far, and even if he does...
against trying to get him to stay un bed and things like night time wondering..( he can pull out the electric safetys plugs and all..)
i think i should just wait as long as i can.... but we are both so excited

Answer 1

You seem like you have a very good relationship with your son and most importantly you accept the toddler like things he does. It's so nice to hear, especially with all the complaining about kids that goes on here. I think him falling out would be painful and you'd most likely have a lot of guilt over it, even if he's okay. Change him to a toddler bed and discipline him accordingly to stay in it until he falls asleep. And make sure his room is baby proofed as can be! Make sure his dresser is strapped to the wall so it doesn't tip over and get those outlets that snap shut when you pull a plug out (they are closed all the time). This will make you feel more secure if he were to wake in the middle of the night. Hope this helps - good luck!

Answer 2

On the outside of the bed he has foot holds to climb up (the bottom rung of the side gate, the mattress support, the mattress, the top rung) From the inside, if the side gate is up and there is no pillows to stack he wont be able to climb out until his foot/leg can be raised high enough to get over the gate. Just before he learns that trick move him out. (Once he's learned that trick he has learned it can be applied to baby gates, fences and so many other scalable scary things)
Start a strong bedtime routine now. Really talk up the toddler bed so he is motivated by the big change. Read book about the 'big bed' Have him tell Grandmas and Grandpas about it.
Tell him about how you really want to get him the bed, but you want to know he will stay in the bed beforehand.
There are wrap around gates that you can buy. You could put the bed in the middle of the room and then put the wrap around gate around the bed.

Answer 3

My suggestion would be leave him in the crib... take him to a park and run him into the ground so he sleeps at night. Is anyone watching him as he climbs the shelves? You can be a proud parent or guardian and let him climb the things he's suppose to climb on in a park, playground or toys. I wouldn't re-enforce the behavior of climbing stuff in the house... ya never know what might come loose and hurt him or worst.... Good Luck

Answer 4

I know how you feel about the excitemnt of this big step, but truly you have to be ready for it as much as he does. If he does not take well to it, then any good sleep patterns you've worked hard to instill will be lost, temporarily. Also, you will be dealing with a tired house not only in the middle of the night, but all day the next days as well. Finally, if he is able to wander and possibly cross safety issues, I would wait until you have found a solution to prevent these hazards. While highly unlikely that he would wake, wander to an outlet and stick a wet paperclip in all before your ever-alert parental ears got to him....it is a possibility and I would wait.
Good Luck.

Answer 5

my son is 22 months old and never climbed in or out of his crib but kept getting his legs stuck in the crib and arms and waking up screamind so we changed him to a big boy bed when he was almost 21 months the first week or so are pretty hard cause he kept getting out but we would lay on the floor next to the bed and tell him to get into bed and that it was bed time now im so glad that we did it

Answer 6

Wow! You have A LOT on your hands, lol. I have to say that your son sounds extremely intelligent! But, that makes things harder on you, I know. My daughter learned to crawl out of her bed by the time she was 18 months old and we decided to switch her to a toddler bed. She went with us to pick it out and she was in the room with us when we put it together. By the time we had it set up, she was so excited about having a "big girl bed" that she didn't look back. We've had a few troubles with getting her to stay in her bed, but mostly at nap time. At bedtime, we lay her down and read her a story and even allow her a book to "read" while she waits to fall asleep. You can try to ease him into the toddler bed, but I think with one that smart, he might surprise you! You might set up baby gates where he can only go from his room to yours just in case. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

HI, WHEN MY SON WAS 1 1/2 WE PUT HIM IN A TODDLER BED. THE FIRST COUPLE OF NIGHTS WERE HARD BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO SLEEP IN IT. AFTER THAT IT WAS A PIECE OF CAKE. NOW HE IS 2 AND HE LOVES IT. IF HE CAN GET IN WITH NO PROBLEM. I WOULD TRY THE TODDLER BED. HE'S GOING TO END UP CLIMBING OUT AND GETTING HURT. I WISH YOU LUCK.

Answer 8

just keep your monitor on and re enforce it is bedtime alot are daughter is not even 2 and she sleeps in a single bed gave up her crib at about 18 months she hated it. we got the side rails for a bed at walmart for under 50 bucks and it has worked out fine. also take the bed off the frame if you are worried about him climbing out and falling.

Answer 9

~Duct Tape...lol
Consistency, if he gets out put him back over and over and over...
Do not give up, or give in be supportive and patient, do not make it a game or he will not want it to end. Books help to settle them down and relax. Or you can always turn the crib upside down, and lift to let him in and let him out; if he gets strong enough to lift it and get out Duct Tape it to the floor.

Answer 10

its work getting ur child to stay in a toddler bed but if u get him/her to understand that it's their big bed then they night stay there. if not put the child to sleep then put him in tha bed . good luck!