toddler bed training

Militarymom22 wrote: ok another big step has come along and you ladies have been sooooo helpful with all your other tips! so whats the dish? how did everyone train their toddlers to a toddler bed? how long did it take? do you think it is wise for me to do it before the next baby comes? lemme know!

Our Lil' Family replied: We converted Thomas' bed from crib to toddler just before he turned 2. Some people wait longer but DH was ready for it more than I was and I gave in. It really didn't take him long...only a couple times falling out! After about 3 nights of us being consistent with him when he'd get out of bed and go to the door, he got the hint that we meant business.....doesn't mean he doesn't still try from time to time but overall he knows that when it's bed time, that's it.

Good luck! How old is your little one?

tammyhopkins replied: We actually decided to not go to a toddler bed as we felt that it would just be one m,ore transition that he would have to go through.

We switched Josh at about 2 and 1/2 years old to his single bed with a bed rail. We thought that we would have trouble with him getting out but he actually switched very easily. He still at 3 and 1/2 half will call for one of us to get him out of bed as we have told him that he cnnot get out of bed without telling us first.

But we had a problem about 3 months ago and he was getting out of bed so we put a door knob spinner on the inside of his door and once he realized there was no getting out he gave up and doesn't even try anymore.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
Same here. We put Wil in a twin size bed at about 18 or 19 months. Before Wesley came. I just went cold turkey on this one. Wil really liked the idea of a big boy bed. We put rails on it though.

My suggestion would be to not have any toys in his room. This way they know that your room is for sleeping. I only left a box of books in Wil's room. It took about a week before he understood he had to stay in the bed. There were many days where he fell asleep on the floor, but I really didn't care. As long as they are safe in their room, fine by me.

lesliesmom replied: For Leslie, she went straight to a twin bed with a bed rail (the other side was against the wall). She was almost 2 I think. It was shortly before her brother was born. No problems. We got a little step-stool to help her get in and out of the bed.

For Chris, we put him in a toddler bed because I didn't trust him on a larger twin bed. He was just over 2. He made the transition great! We got him a train bed off ebay. He loved it right from the start. I liked it because it was close to the ground should he fall off... it was only about a foot off the ground. We have now moved him into a twin bed (he's 4). It's just the mattress and box spring right on the floor as we have no frame. But he likes that and made the transition well, too.

Not sure what we'll do with Lindsay. She's only 15 months so we'll just wait and see how she develops and mommy's comfort level.

Good luck!

Militarymom22 replied:
shes 2.5 she has never tried to climb out or anything so i'm not sure if i should encourage it before the baby comes while i can afford to lose some sleep, or if i should wait.... its so hard to decide.

Militarymom22 replied: so what does everyone say to their little one when they get out of bed?

My3LilMonkeys replied:
If there's a legitimate reason for their getting up - going to the bathroom, needing a drink or waking up scared being legitimate reasons in my house (as long as they are not abused) - we resolve their needs and get them back in bed. Any other reason and I simply tell them it's bedtime, go back to sleep.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Can't help here... all of mine were out of their cribs before the age of 1. They were on a mattress on the floor, and when they could climb on it, in a low single bed.

Our Lil' Family replied:
I use the Super Nanny technique. First time he gets up I tell him again that it's time for bed, tuck him in and walk out. Any time after that there is no talking, I just put him back in bed, cover him and walk out. We close his door until we go to bed so unless he's playing (which he has never done) or trying to open the door I don't go back in there. This should not last long...once she knows it's time for bed...she'll understand and quit getting up.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
"It's night-night time" and then walk him back to his bed. Repeat about 20 times! LOL. j/k It does take a lot of repetition, but doesn't everything when they are this age? They eventually get it.

z613 replied: Our son is 13 months. We have set up his toddler bed opposite his crib, and have just started giving him the odd nap in the toddler bed so he gets used to it. I am sure this will help make the transition easier when we decide to finally take away the crib.

Militarymom22 replied:
i have heard great things about this supernany tech. how did it work for you? how long did it take.

Our Lil' Family replied: I really didn't use it in the beginning just because we were a little softer since it was a new thing for him. He took to it pretty quickly without trouble. Then for some reason about a month ago (after being in the toddler bed for 5 months) he started fighting us at nap and bed time...getting up repeatedly, crying...not sure why. After about 2 nap times and 2 nights of the Super Nanny technique...less than 10 minutes each time...he's back to normal.