My 19 month old sleeps with us, and I am pregnant. We got her a 'big girl' twin bed, but is it too early?

Question

I am afraid that it may be too early, even though she seems to love it. I feel that if she sleeps in our bed, a bed similar to ours will help her sleep in her own bed. With being pregnant, I don't want her sleeping in the bed with us when the new baby comes! Is it too early for her to have a twin size bed? She was crawling out of the crib at 9 months, so she has had a toddler bed for almost a year now. Anyone know if this is too soon for the transition? Or is it one of those 'the sooner the better' things like bottle weaning and thumb sucking?

LOL to clear this up, my daughter doesn't sleep with us EVERY night, but during almost every nap time, and she has to fall asleep in our bed before being put into her bed. She sleeps in her bed, she just doesn't know it, and ends up waking up halfway through the night crying to come back into our bed. For the woman that asked, it wasn't like I got pregnant while my daughter was in the bed! I realize she shouldn't be sleeping with us at this age, and that's why I am trying the big girl bed. Please don't critisize how I raise my child, I just wanted some opinions on the size of the bed compared to the age of my child. And, to the other Mom's who were so helpful, Thank You! I am glad to hear that a twin size bed is not too big for my little princess. It's much appreciated!

Answer 1

LOL all these "parents of the year" need to not give advice! If she doesnt fall out then she's fine, and if you don't mind her sleeping with you, LET HER. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's too late to do anything before the new baby comes! Your son will feel as if he is being pushed out because of the new baby! In my opinion, you would now be better leaving it a little while longer. I know it isn't ideal having a toddler in bed with you, especially this late in your pregnancy, but whats worse? If he wont go in his crib, get him a small bed, which yeah, he will just get out of. Let him fall asleep where he normally falls asleep (your bed probably), then when you go to bed, put him in his bed. You wont have to lift him over any bars as they wont be any. Make him as familiar as you can with his bedroom before you start putting him to sleep in there though, waking in a strange place is scary for any kid. If he wakes up and comes into you, let him get into bed with you. Theres no point trying to fight him into sleeping in his own bed because it will only make him more determined not to! Eventually he will get used to waking up on his own bed,and before you know it, he will sleeping through until morning! But like I said, I would hold off for a while now. It's only a couple of weeks until another baby will be sleeping in your room, which your son will probably be jealous of anyway, so don't make it worse by changing his routine. Let him get used to the new baby being there first, then enforce the change. Good luck with everything.

Answer 3

My son was in a twin bed at about that age. Don't bother with the side rail things, they're a waste of money, just put it against a wall and put pillows on the other side for a week or so. If they do fall out of bed they're limp and it's not likely that she'll get hurt. Mind you, we did conciously pick a fairly low bed. I wouldn' t do it with a really high one.

Answer 4

as long as you have a railing to prevent her form falling out and something soft ont he floor next to the bed incase she does slip out anyways, I do not see a problem, it is the same as a toddler bed only bigger. Many people skip right on pass the toddler bed, my mother did and I had full intention of doing so aswell except he got a toddler bed given as a present.

We were co-sleepers (and I guess we still are considering if he wakes at night around 4/5am he is welcome to come cuddle in our bed) and we have had absolutly no problem having him go from our bed to his 'big boy' bed, he was actually VERY excited about it. We decided we were going to transition slowly by him having naps in his bed (the same as he had naps in his crib) and then when he was ready sleep the night, well he had his own plans and when I said bedtime he marched himself into his own bed and went right to sleep from night one! If your daughter is ready then she is ready and there is no certain age or bed for that just what works best for you both.

For many co-sleepers it is harder on mom and dad then it is the baby. Keep her excited about her bed, let her pick out her own sheets and blankets and she should be fine.

Answer 5

if she can sleep safely in your bed she can sleep safely in a twin bed

if you have a specific type of mattress get her the same type
also sleep in her bed with her a couple times so the sheets smell like you

it may be easier to lay in her bed with her till she falls asleep than to move her back to her bed

don't put the baby in your bed make sure the baby sleeps in their own bed always
this will cut down on the jealousy and confusion of your daughter

Answer 6

Why can't she just keep using the toddler bed? A twin bed is OK if you put a rail on it, but that's basically a toddler bed. I'd keep using the smaller bed for at least another year.

Answer 7

If your child continues to climb in bed with you, So what, they are only little once. Kids sometimes will get scared or just want that reassurance from you. They will grow out of it. When my kids were smaller I would lay down with them in their bed until they went to sleep then I would go to my bed, by morning he would be back in my bed. As far as the bed goes, I f she doesn't fall out of it then it should be fine. keeping the child excited about being a big girl, & her feeling ownership over her room and bedding helps with the transition... Just takes time.

Answer 8

My son suprised the heck out of me when we decided to move him. He had sucessfully climbed out of crib twice AND went downstairs while I was still in bed, so it was time to get him out of his crib, and out of our room. "HIS" room was our dining room, so it had not been completely closed in. We put up a wall, and door frame, so now it is his room. We had bought a twin bed after seeing how he never slept long ways in the crib. I am so glad we did because i never know how is going to lay in his bed. Plus, he fips and flops, so would have probably fell out of a toddler bed. (we bought a daybed, but put it against the wall the wrong way so there is a permanant rail to protect him from falling).
So, we switched his bed and his room in the same day. Rather, he did. he saw the new Spongebob bedding, climbed in, and said, "nite nite mommy!!!", and....that was that! They can surprise you at times.

Answer 9

When we had our son, we had downsized to a smaller apartment since I wasn't going to be working for awhile. Therefore, he slept with us. I don't think its shameful to let your child sleep with you. Some kids need supervision. My son wakes up and starts crawling around in his sleep. He bumps his head on the wall and almost fell out plenty of times. Its scary to wake up and find your child has fallen out of bed and is sleeping on the floor. I think its easier on a child when he/she starts out sleeping in his/her own bed, but sometimes that's not possible.

Answer 10

At this point it is sooner the better. That would be a mighty full bed with the four of you sleeping in it. She does need her own space.

Answer 11

Your 19 month shouldnt be sleeping with you. A big girl bed at this age should be fine. If she doesnt want the big girl bed... have her pic. Say you can sleep in the little girl bed (toddler bed) or you can sleep in the big girl bed. Let her know she is a big girl and big girls do not sleep with mommy. Good luck