When does a baby transfer out of a crib to a real bed?

Question

I will have a baby in February and my daughter will be 18 months old. Do I have to get another crib or can my daughter move into a real bed?

Answer 1

She can move into a real bed (with guard rails) or a toddler bed which is lower.

Maybe you could get a bassinet for the new baby. They are cheaper and you can use them for 3-5 months (until baby learns to roll over). Then your daughter could stay in her crib for a while longer and you wouldn't have to buy a new bed yet.

I usually move mine from a crib or playpen when they are 18 months - 24 months.

Congrats on your second!

Answer 2

When mine started to climb out, I changed. For an 18 month old I would try to get another crib. Otherwise you will get no rest. Some are very peaceful in a crib longer and others (my son) climbed out by about 2 to 2 1/2. But even if you can
get 6 or 8 months with them both safely in cribs it would be worth it. You do not have to wonder where they are.

Search on freecycle.com. You should be able to get a free one, it is a fabulous site. Or see if a friend has one they are not using that you could borrow for a few months.

As a Mother with Grandchildren, save money and get a twin bed instead of one of those toddler beds. They last such a short period of time that the money is wasted. You will need the bed sides to be safe and could even put the box spring on the floor.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

i would think to move the 18 month old to a bed when they get to big 4 the crib. give your new baby the crib and go get the 18 month a real bed.

Answer 4

I have read it's best to wait until a child is 3 to move them from their crib, unless they are climbing out sooner. Once they start climbing out, it's time to move them to a bed. I think 18 months is a bit early to move her to a bed. If you are going to use a bassinet for the new baby for the first couple of months, then I would get a toddler bed for your daughter and use that time to transition her from her crib to her toddler bed. A twin bed might be too big for her. If you do decide on the twin bed, get bed rails for her. Best of luck.

Answer 5

I changed my sons crib into a toddler bed when he was about 1 1/2 because my daughter was due around his 2nd birthday. He did OK, he would fall out of his bed a lot and my husband would get mad at me but he's OK lol He actually prefers to sleep on the floor or under his bed, and for a while he would sleep in his closet...he said it was his "club house" now a days he starts off in his room and ends up in my bed between me and my husband:) He'll be 3 on July 9th!

Answer 6

Your daughter can move to a real bed, but I suggest getting bumpers for it.

I have heard that as soon as you child "escapes" from their crib, its time for a real bed. I have also heard around 2 or 3 years old.

Answer 7

'veritas' said it really well..
as long as you have bed rails to stop her falling out, you can move her into a bed. Pushing the bed against a wall so only one side opens to the room also helps, both with falls and with feeling secure. Forget the toddler bed.. she'll outgrow it within just a few months.
I put my children onto a mattress placed on the floor (carpet) first, to make getting in and out easier to begin with. It also stopped any chances of getting hurt when they bypassed the rails and fell out regardless :-)
Once they got the hang of sleeping on the mattress, after a couple of months or so, I then put the mattress onto a base.

Answer 8

We moved my oldest into a bed at 17 months because of the new baby. It was an easy transition and he did great. My middle one we moved even earlier...I think 14 months because he wanted to be like his big brother. My youngest is 15 months and I don't have any plans on moving her soon. It depends on the personality of your daughter, but I think she'd probably be fine to move to a big bed.

Answer 9

Move her to a toddler bed. Simple. Cribs are expensive, I would definately move her to a toddler bed. It's low to the ground, small, and has a rail built right in so she can't fall out. Normally I would wait until they can climb out but in your case I would move her for sure.

Answer 10

i think it is a great idea because it will make your daughter feel like she is getting a treat, since you will be getting new things for the baby, getting her a bed with bedding etc will make her feel special!