How do you know when to switch from a crib to a toddler bed?

Question

My daughter will be 2 years old on April 3rd. I have heard that you should get a toddler bed when potty training so that they could get out of bed on their own to use the bathroom. Well, she is in the process of being potty trained, but she still isn't dry all night through (we still need to tackle that during the day first). I also don't want her to have the option of running around in her bedroom at night instead of staying in her bed. With a crib, I don't have to worry about that. She could climb out if she really wanted to, but she doesn't ever try (not so far). So, how exactly do parents know when to get a toddler bed?

And please don't get on my case for potty training her before 2 1/2 years old. She was the one to let us know that she IS ready. We're not pushing her by any means.

I caught her twice before with her leg hiked up and ready to climb out as I was walking in her bedroom, but I stopped her. Does this mean she is ready for a toddler bed?

Answer 1

You will have to get used to a toddler having access to the floor eventually. The best you can do is make sure her room is completely safe and suggest that she be allowed to keep a book and sippy cup of water near the bed so she won't be tempted to get out of bed. What worked for me was the rule that you don't have to be asleep, you just have to be in bed. And get ready for the repeated up and down attempts. Just be patient and keep steering the tyke back to bed without discussion, eventually they will tire of the game and remain in their bed.
Also try to keep the bedroom and bed itself a nice, happy place by never using it as a punishment. If she is ready for potty, she is ready for you to trust her in this big girl step.

Answer 2

Glad to hear she's ready for potty training! Those who think they must wait until the child is 2.5 are just too lazy to be there to help them!
Example; when my oldest was 5, I was potty training his sister (age 2) and still nursing the youngest one. Picture this; a 5 year old begging to go outside to play (no fence around the yard yet), a 2 year old sitting on the potty chair and me sitting on the bathroom floor with the youngest one nursing. I was nearly in tears while thinking to myself 'is it going to be this way every day?'
I know I was really frustrated at the time but I got over it and am here today to talk about it and laugh. I was extremely determined and I did not let anything else stop me from potty training my daughter.
Anyway, yes, the child should be in a toddler bed now.
An easy way to make sure she remains in bed all night is; no naps, no liquids 2 hours before bedtime, potty before bedtime, read to her, night light, low soothing soft music and her favorite stuffed animal (or doll).
I did this with all 3 of mine (when they were toddlers), it worked great and I never had anyone roaming around at night.

Answer 3

I put my daughter in a toddler bed when she began to climb out and refused to sleep in her crib (she was 18 months). I do not think that a crib will interfere with her potty training since she will not be able to hold it all night for a while still. When you feel she is ready you should switch her. You should not use her crib to contain her too long though, sooner or later she will have to learn her boundries and what she can and cannot get away with (such as getting out of bed at night to play). Let you daughter express when she is ready.

Answer 4

Don't confuse the two. I have 2 kids, my little guy was climbing out of his crib when he was 2 so just to be on the safe side we put him into a toddler bed. My little girl will be 3 soon and she is still in her crib and as long as she is comfortable she'll stay there.

Good luck

Answer 5

Yes, if your daughter is climbs out of the crib it is time for a toddler bed.I would use the same bedding she has now to help the transaction go well.I would put a gate up to keep her out of the kitchen just in case she wants to wonder at night.Make sure you put up everything you couldn't want her getting into at night.Although when my kids get up at night they usually come to my room instead of roaming around the house.

Answer 6

wait till potty training is over so that u r not doing too many new things at once.

they say that the best time is when they climb out of the crib.

Answer 7

normally when the child climbs out of the crib is the time to get a toddler bed.. Thats when we got one for my kids (many years ago).

Answer 8

She will climb eventually. That's when I did it. As long as you have her room child proofed, you'll feel better about it if she wakes up before you do and is out of bed. I think it was around this age.