When do we make the switch?

CAMSMOM1 wrote: When should we make the switch from the crib, to the big boy bed? Cameron will be 2 yrs old this April.

We haven't had any problems with him sleeping in the crib, he doesn't try to climb out.

We got a toddler bed from a friend of mine. It's really cool. It's a fire truck, with the lights on the top and everything. Cameron has seen it and he loves it. But he thinks it's a new toy, and doesn't understand it's going to be his bed soon. His crib also turns into a toddler bed/and a twin bed. Should we use the fire engine bed, or convert his crib? My only fear with the fire engine bed, is that he's going to think it's soooo cool..and want to play in it. KWIM?

I'm also concerned that when we do make the switch, he will want to get out of bed and play with his toys. So I'm thinking about taking all his toys out of the room.

When did you put your toddler in a toddler bed? How did it go? Any advvice or suggestions? How long does it take for them to adjust?

Ann

moped replied: I am sure if you read Rae's post you will know where I stand on it. If Cameron isn't wanting to climb out then why take him out? A crib gives him the security of the crib bars that a bed won't. I say keep him as long as you can. IMHO

MamaJAM replied: If he's happy in the crib....why rush it?

We swtiched all 3 of our girls to toddler beds when they turned 2 -- toddler beds were their big 2nd b-day gifts. We never really had much trouble with any of them. Occasionally they'd get out to grab another toy - then get back in and play until they fell asleep. DD#1 once emptied her dresser all over the floor - then got back in bed and fell asleep. DD#2 once got into the diapers and powder and "pre-powdered" all of the diapers for us (and much of the floor). DD#3 was occasionally found sleeping _under_ her toddler bed. But - they stayed in their rooms and adjusted fairly quickly.
When our older son turned 2 - we tried converting his crib to a toddler bed (hiw was our first 'convertable' crib. He was a TERROR!!! He wouldn't stay in bed - and would open/slam his door for hours....waking in the middle of the night to start again. Finally - after 2 weeks - at 2am - we put the side back on his crib. Sadly - his taste of freedom was all it took. Shortly after - he started dangerously climbing on his crib...we had no choice but to convert it back to a bed. Within 2 weeks - he taught his little brother (who was 15 months old at the time) how to climb on the crib in the same dangerous way he had been....we had to convert our younger son's crib to a toddler bed as well - for his own safety. We ended up putting a wedge on the top of their bedroom door so that it cannot be completely closed (to avoid the slamming)....and they have a gate across the door (which DS#1 recently figured out how to open ). Oh yes -- and the icing on the cake....NEITHER OF MY SONS SLEEPS IN A BED!!! They both have lovely (matching) junior-sized beds....yet they sleep on the floor. They've been sleeping on the floor since Nov 2004 (yes....15 months now they've been on the floor ). For the longest time - they'd sleep on blankets or a sleeping bag -- but for the last 2 months we've convinced them to sleep on an extra mattress we have. I hope that by the time they reach high school they'll start sleeping in beds -- but, at least they are sleeping!

Anyway - I'm sure this sordid little tale doesn't really help with your question -- the whole 'toddlers in big-kid-beds' just makes me chuckle. If I had been asked this question 18 or more months ago - I'd have nothing but cheery little stories to tell about my girls and their 'big switch'...but - my boys have taught me that everything can be a major adventure!

ediep replied: I agree with Jen, Keep him in the crib as long as he will stay in

My3LilMonkeys replied: We converted Brooke less than a month ago. It took a few nights of climbing out (and 2 times of falling out, but it is low to the ground and didn't hurt her) for her to get the idea, but now she loves it. She is very proud of it.

CAMSMOM1 replied: Judy, I loved your stories!!! Aren't boys so mischevious! That is hilarious that they would rather sleep on the floor then their beds, but like you said, at least they are sleeping!

I think I will keep Cam in his crib for a little longer, and see how things go.


But when I do switch him to a bed.....

Do you think I should put him in the Fire Engine bed..... OR....convert his crib? Do you think all the fancy things on his F.E. bed be to much of a distraction/toy?


Thanks for the tips! I liked the one with the baby gate on the door! Good idea!


Ann

MamaJAM replied: It's really hard to say which might be better. He's comfortable in the crib....so he might be very happy in the converted crib. BUT -- the fire engine bed sound really cool.

Ok - I should stop typing...I'm no help.

I agree though...if he's happy in the crib...keep him there for as long as you can.

3xsthefun replied: If he is happy and not trying to climb out. I would not rush it.

Kaitlynn stayed in her crib until she was about 3 years old.

Maegan on the other hand. She started climbing out of her crib before she was 18 months old. So we decided to put her in her own big girl bed. But of course she had other plans. She slept on the couch for a long time. She is now doing pretty good in her toddler bed.

Freckled Momma replied: I think you are making the right decision, as well...keeping him in his crib since there's not any trouble with it so far. Nicholas is 2 yrs 4 months and still does fine in his. My 2 older boys made the transition to toddler beds fine and Rachel moved straight to a regular bed. So...they are all different

Not sure what to say about the type of toddler bed to choose...It's hard to say what he will do without trying

C&K*s Mommie replied: We made the switch with Christian a month after her 1st birthday, to a twin size bed. Kellie never had a big-girl bed. They co-sleep with us now. For naps they alternate between our bed, and the big-girl bed to sleep during the day.

Christian took to her own bed very well. No probs at all.

Depending on your son, I would think that distracting things would not make a difference. But I agree with the other ladies, there should not be a rush to do it, unless there are safety concerns. Christian is a very adaptable child, she conformed to her surroundings very well. Kellie is not so much a chameleon, like that.

If you made the switch to the FE bed, encourage and work with him to understand that bedtime still is bedtime even when you are in the FE bed.

Insanemomof3 replied: With my kids, I waited until they started climbing out of the crib. Once they would not stay in their crib, I knew they were ready for big boy beds.

Celestrina replied: When you do decide to make the switch, I would say stick with his current bed. Having everything change at once may be a bit scary for him. He will still have the comfort of his own bed even if the side is gone. Still expect him to fall out a couple of times, that's completely normal. Take his toys out of his room - let's face it, kids at this age cannot resist temptation. We could tell when Ben got up during the night because he would be too tired to get all the way back in.

CAMSMOM1 replied: Thanks! I guess for some reason I thought that I had to make the switch because he was 2. But like you all said, if he's comfy in his crib and is safe, then why rush it?

I'm going to let him tell me when it's time. Probably when he starts climbing out like a monkey!

I think I will also convert his crib. It's what he's used to and comfortable there. And when he gets a hang of it, I'll see if he wants the Fire Engine bed.

Ann