I have a 15 month old who is having trouble falling asleep in her crib and waking up multiple times at night crying. A few days ago she hurled herself out of her crib (thank goodness she wasn't seriously hurt). Now that she knows she can get out she tries to climb out every time. I have to rush back in there to get her and we have many sleepless nights.
I have a dilemma - put the baby in a toddler bed, or use a crib tent. The crib tent is definitely the safer option but I hate the idea of caging her in. I don't like the power struggle and making me win. I want my daughter to learn to go to sleep on her own and enjoy her bed. The toddler bed is the other option but I have no idea how to teach her to stay in there and go to sleep. She cries and objects every time we put her to bed. What is there to keep in her in the bed? I don't know where to begin.
Any thoughts?
2007-10-29 14:50:41 · 9 answers · asked by twinmom 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I believe every child has a different time when they are ready for a toddler bed. Sometimes if you make a big production out of getting them a 'big kid' bed and let them know how special it is, they want to stay there. However, your fifteen month old may not be old enough to understand that concept. (I don't know.) Definately, I would try the toddler bed(with side rails) before the tent because it does not seem safe to me to not be able to get to my child quickly in case of a fire or emergancy. But if your child won't stay in the toddler bed, I guess that is a viable option to give you some peaceful sleep at night.
2007-10-29 15:00:50 · answer #1 · answered by Amanda K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 15 mos, go for the crib tent. It is safer. If you put her in a toddler bed, you will have an even harder time keeping her in her bed. On a toddler bed, she can just get up in the middle of the night and roam all over the house. Crib tent is the better of the two options. Remember, you are the mom. It is your responsibility to keep her safe.
2007-10-29 14:57:58 · answer #2 · answered by seatonrsp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same dilemma and went with toddler beds for my two year olds. If you go the toddler bed route you are going to need to be patient as you try to help your child sleep the night in her new bed. Start the nighttime routine a bit earlier and expect that she is going to get out of her bed several times to exercise her newly found freedom. Be sure her room is completely baby-proofed and you might want to consider getting a gate for her door as well.
I figured that sooner or later we would have to teach them to sleep in their "big boy" beds so we might as well get it over with. It's taken about three months but they are pretty good at staying in their beds and sleeping through the night now.
I priced out crib tents and they cost almost as much as a toodler bed.
2007-10-29 15:03:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do the toddler bed or a regular bed with rails. Then completely baby proof the room. We did this with our son around that age. Had a few rough nights with him getting out of the toddler bed and fallin asleep by the door. But did it gradual and started a routine with reading books, and tuckin in.
2007-10-29 14:58:53 · answer #4 · answered by lillilou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is this a phase she's going through? has anything changed with her daylight hours?
if you think she's ready for a bed, put it in the room with her crib and let her decide. heck, if she picks the floor, let her sleep there. no power struggle, except she has to stay in her room. boundaries are very important for her development.
if she's mobile, get ready to protect her from a whole bunch of stuff.
2007-10-29 14:57:41 · answer #5 · answered by ProudM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was sooo lucky my lil man took a loooong a time b4 he got out of his crib 20 months!! once the toddler bed came out he loved it.when he gets tired he crawls up in his bed w his blankie and he's out.i wouldn't go w a crib tent...doesn't sound overly safe to me if shes already climbed out of her crib.
2007-10-29 14:58:16 · answer #6 · answered by georgemi74 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The crib tent. Safety is a priority, make it up with hugs and kisses. I have a niece like that too
2007-10-29 14:54:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well do this... For a while just let her sleep with you. Then Slowly start putting her in the toddler bed once she falls asleep in your bed. Then eventually slowly start making her sleep in her bed all night.
You have to ease into everything with a child!
2007-10-29 14:55:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
CRIB they are nice and no tents that will make her feel like she is in the wild and wierd.
2007-10-29 14:53:59 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋