She will be 2 years old in January. She is sleeping fine in the crib and is not able to climb out. The only reason we would move her to a toddler bed is so that she will get used to sleeping in a "bed" rather than a "crib," so that it doesn't become difficult to transition her later on. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant with baby #2 and I am concerned that I won't be able to lift her in and out of the crib once I am pregnant. However, I worry about moving her to a toddler bed because she might roll out at night (it only has a rail on one side) and because she might get out of bed in the middle of the night. Should we move her to a toddler bed now, or just wait until it's absolutely necessary. Also, we are definitely going to use a toddler bed and not a twin bed because our crib converts to a toddler bed. Thanks!
2007-12-29 08:04:50 · 16 answers · asked by dixiechic 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My child is 21 months old. She has been in a toddler bed for several months already.
My daughter was already climbing into bed before we even got it put together.
When your child whines and cries because they can't get out of bed when they want to, it is time for a "big girl bed".
Katie gets out of bed at night only if she has wet the bed or if she wakes up and wants her daddy. She will come straight to her daddy if she does get out of bed, which is rare. Perhaps twice a month she will get up in the middle of the night.
Child number 2 will be here in April.
2007-12-29 08:10:20 · answer #1 · answered by Matthew Stewart 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
put the bed against the wall at one side, the rail on the open side, and a safety gate at the door so she can't accidentally wander out of her room and fall down the stairs at night. She could still be ok in the crib for a while, but I wouldn't advise it because, if you move her only when you're pregnant and can't lift her, she'll think you like the new (unborn) baby better.
She's old enough for it - me and my sisters all moved to regular twin beds (not toddler beds) by that age. Your girl will be fine. She'll love her new "big girl" bed, I'm sure!
Good luck with the pregnancy!
2007-12-29 08:57:32 · answer #2 · answered by slashgirl_1984 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi.
I would think that now could be a good time to try her in her toddler bed if you think she is ready, otherwise maybe wait a couple more months. It might be hard for her to adjust to it at first as you will have to go "cold turkey" on her - her cot converts to a bed so you can't set up a separate bed to get her used to the idea. However, the bed won't be so different to the cot in size and height so you may not have a problem.
Have you picked out any bedding yet? If not then maybe she could accompany you to the shop to pick out something nice for her new bed, and watch you when you set it up. If you are really concerned about the absence of a rail on one side you could buy another detachable one. She will more than likely try to get out but if you are persistent in putting her back she will eventually get the message.
My 26 month old son has just started sleeping in his big bed. We set it up next to his cot - it has a quilt cover with his favourite animals on it and a cushion in the shape of a lion which he adores. He thought his bed was a wonderful place to play and jump all over so I worried about how he would transition. He wasn't sleeping all that well in his cot (very restless) so I tried him in his bed for a nap time and he slept really well to my relief! He has also been in sleeping bags since 3 months old and we have continued with these until he gets used to covers. He has only climbed off the bed once (it is pretty high) and has not fallen out yet (we have a rail). If he wakes in the night he stays there, so we have been lucky!
Give it a try, it won't take her too long to get used to it and you will be so organised for when you have your next child.
All the best!
(Mum of 2 and 1 year old boys)
2007-12-29 14:31:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think you should move her into the bed. As for the Railing problem, put one side against the wall, in a corner, so her head is to a wall, and one side has a wall, and the other has a railing, then put a foot board up, so she can't climb out that way, or if she is a big roller. then you can convert to a normal bed, like first removing the foot board after a few weeks, then moving her head away from a wall (or keep it there), then removing a rail, then moving it away the wall. Then you can switch to the big bed.
2007-12-29 10:20:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she wants to switch beds I would let her. I only heard of one two year old rolling out of bed but if you're worried but an extra blanket or pillow on that open side to cushion her if she does fall. If its a toddler bed she wouldn't fall too far anyway cause they are usually closer to the ground. And if she can get out of bed in the middle of the night that could help with potty training. Or you can put that open edge against the wall...
2007-12-29 08:10:50 · answer #5 · answered by Army Bride 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's okay to go ahead and move her into a toddler bed. 3 of mine were in toddler beds by the time they were 2 y/o, another one before he was 3y/o. the bed is close enough to the floor that she wont get hurt if she falls out and you can push the side without a rail against the wall.
2007-12-29 09:45:41 · answer #6 · answered by Psalm91 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Push the bed up against the wall so you only need the one rail. We moved our son to his bed at 18 months because I found out when he was 16 months that I was pregnant again. I started just the first couple of weeks with just his naps before putting him in bed at night. We have rarely had a problem with him getting out of bed.
2007-12-29 08:11:36 · answer #7 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest... none of my kids used cribs. They slept with me until they were done nursing. Then moved to a toddler bed. With their rooms baby proofed there was nothing for them to harm themselves on. They liked their big girl beds. My kids were in toddler beds between 10 months and 18 months. I bet she will love it. If not at first.. soon to follow. Its part of the transition to being a big girl.
2007-12-29 09:32:07 · answer #8 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
toddler beds are part of growing up. I think now is a good time. Don't worry she will get used to the idea of the bed espeically when you phrase it as a BIG GIRL Bed. Also toddler beds are low enough to the ground that if they roll out she will not fall far. Trust me the body naturally gets used to the edge, she will be fine.
2007-12-29 09:10:13 · answer #9 · answered by Mama Moose 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is almost three and still in a crib. I think that as long as she is not trying to climb out of the bed, you should leave her in it. (That is if you do not have trouble lifting her out of the bed while you are pregnant.) If you do have trouble, try lifting and lowering the rail (if your crib has this feature), that may help some.
2007-12-29 11:32:29 · answer #10 · answered by Mommy71805 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋