When do I take my toddler out of his crib?

Question

My son will be 2 years in Feb. He still sleeps in his crib and is not crawling out (not even trying.) Some people have told me that I should take him to a "big boy bed" now. Others have said not until he starts crawling out of his crib. I honestly like him not getting out of his bed until I'm ready for him to, but am I being selfish in waiting? The next part of my question is I have a convertable crib... but I don't have the conversion kit. Is it better to buy him a new bed (I can use the crib for the next baby, due in Aug.) or should I search the web and find the conversion kit? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I agree with SexyMama... My middle son after putting him the big boy bed. Would wait to be taken out of it.. =).. My daughter last night in the crib was at 2 and half.. After I had the bottle taken away. I did that also with my first two also.. Make weaning from the bottle easier with them contained. No I don't think your a bad mom for making sure your son is in a safe place. Some children wake up in the middle of the night and unlock doors etc. If anything I would take him out a few months before the baby is born that way. Your not putting the baby in "HIS CRIB" and that he will forget about the crib in that time and that the baby can be in it.=) Good Luck and Congrats on the baby.

Answer 2

Every child is different. For my son he was in a toddler bed when he was 15 months. But he was crawling out of the crib! If your son is fine with the crib then I say leave him in there for a little longer. However the transition needs to be made before the new baby arrives!
As far as converting the crib verses buying a toddler bed, I would go with buying a new toddler bed. They are cheaper than buying a new crib for your next child!
Good Luck!

Answer 3

I think, especially with the baby coming.... you want him to get used to being a big boy. My friend had issues having her sons a couple years apart and said that making him feel like the big boy helped him adapt.
Buy him a cool toddler bed, and keep the crib for the baby. Why are you going to worry about the conversion set when you have baby 2 litterally around the corner?
With him getting out of bed? It's just a learning curve. you can put the bars and talk to him about not crawling out and calling for mommy... and then for safety sake.... my cousin put a baby gate at his door and baby proofed room for some safety sanity.... Good Luck.

Answer 4

save the crib for next baby, make a whole day of shopping with your son to find his big boy bed it will be fun, i would have said take him out when you are ready but knowing you are expecting you should do it sooner then later because you don't want him to feel as tho his new sibling has stolen his bed

Answer 5

I don't see anything wrong with allowing your son to remain in his crib as long as he is not crawling out and endangering himself. Relax, whatever you decide it's not a big deal. You'll have plenty of time to permanently scar his psyche later on (all we parents DO eventually you know ~ LOL!).
As far as the bed itself goes, if it was ME, I think I would just buy him a toddler bed. You can get them rather inexpensively. And they come in all sorts of cool themes. (My friend's young son had a race car bed!) You can always get the conversion kit at a later date if you so choose. It's just one less thing to worry about with another baby already on the way.

Answer 6

just convert the crib and that way he can get out when he wants to. but if you are strict with getting him out only when you want to ,then thats a different story. i think you are being selfish.

now you say you have a baby on the way,so its time you move your son to the big boy bed so new baby has the crib. just get a bed that has rails on the side,that way he is safe.

Answer 7

We just switched our daughter to a toddler bed this past weekend - she is 17 months old.

I think the longer you leave him in his crib, the harder it will be for you to get him to sleep anywhere else. You may want to do it soon, so he learns. I would think there will come a point that he will be too big for the crib, or his friends will tease him when they sleep over.

Answer 8

I am the same way. My daughter is almost 2 1/2, and still in her crib. I almost feel selfish too, even though she has never tried climbing out yet either. I think he is fine still in his crib, as long as he has enough room and everything. Don't feel bad about it, it's fine and there's nothing wrong with it for now.

Answer 9

STEP 1: Take it slow. If you are moving your toddler because of a new arrival, do it slowly and several months before the baby is due. If you are moving your toddler due to climbing out of the crib or toilet training, expect anything from unrestrained excitement to utter fear.

STEP 2: Let your toddler pick out the new bed and bedding. Encourage your child to accessorize the new bed with favorite items like toys or blankets.

STEP 3: Set up the new bed in the same spot of the room the crib was. Your toddler will feel more secure looking at the same old view while laying in the new bed.

STEP 4: Buy guard rails. Guard rails will prevent your toddler from falling out of the bed while providing some familiar security.

STEP 5: Stick with your bed time routine. Follow all of the same procedures for going to bed. Sit on the edge of the bed and sing or read.

STEP 6: Anticipate your child's needs at bed time. If your toddler asks for water every night after you leave the room, give your child water before you leave. Ask your child what toys or books they would like to have in bed so you will not have unnecessary requests all night.

STEP 7: Be firm about staying in bed. The first few weeks your toddler may experiment with new found freedom. Put your toddler back to bed and say something like, "It is time to stay in bed. Goodnight."

STEP 8: Give lots of praise. Encourage and reassure your toddler often. When your toddler stays in the new bed, check in and tell your child you are happy or proud. Tips & Warnings
Send up the opposite parent. If your child calls for Daddy, send up Mommy, vice versa.

Put a child proof gate in your child's doorway to control "room hopping".
Set up a reward system for the following morning if your child stays in bed.
Buy a book on toddler sleep and gather up ideas.
Seek professional advice if you experience extreme frustration or anger when working with your toddler.
Put child proof safety gates at the top or bottom of stairwells to prevent night time injuries.

Answer 10

Buy a new twin bed and let the baby have the crib, you're boy is growing up, allow him the freedom.