Meghan [Caleb + #2 due 10.3.09] asked:
My 17 month old just climbed out of his crib for the first time last night, so I’m getting one of those tents to put over it for the next few months.
We have another baby coming when my son turns 2, and I know around then is a common time to make the switch. Our newborn will be in a bassinet for the first few months, so the crib won’t be needed again until December/January. Should we switch him over this summer so he can get used to it before the baby comes or might that be too early? What are signs that they’re ready?
We’ll start looking for beds soon then! I thought I’d get a lot of “it’s too early” responses. Any suggestions on where to look for a good bed?
My 17 month old just climbed out of his crib for the first time last night, so I’m getting one of those tents to put over it for the next few months.
We have another baby coming when my son turns 2, and I know around then is a common time to make the switch. Our newborn will be in a bassinet for the first few months, so the crib won’t be needed again until December/January. Should we switch him over this summer so he can get used to it before the baby comes or might that be too early? What are signs that they’re ready?
We’ll start looking for beds soon then! I thought I’d get a lot of “it’s too early” responses. Any suggestions on where to look for a good bed?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
My daughter is 18 months old. We haven’t switched her over to a bed yet. But, with my other children, I put them into a bed when they were able to climb out of the crib.
With my oldest, It was about 20 months.
My son was around 21 months
& my 2nd daughter was around 2 years.
I would switch him earlier so he can get used to it. My son likes sleeping in his toddler bed. I was really worried about my son climbing out of the crib and hurting himself and the toddler bed is low enough to the floor that if he managed to roll off it wouldn’t hurt him. My son is 17 months old by the way.
i did when my child was 1 1/2 she did good we what a favorite show and fall asleep.
Yeah,now would be just fine. Since he’s climbing out that’s a big sign that he’s ready for the move. Don’t forget the bed rails.
You could switch him now if you wanted to. If he’s climbing out of the crib, he’s ready for a toddler bed! My little guy was 14 months when he climbed out of his crib. He absolutely loved his toddler bed. I think it makes them feel more like a big boy being in a big boy bed. Hope this helps!
P.S. Your son is ADORABLE!
EDIT: We got our sons toddler bed at walmart. Most stores sell them and they aren’t very expensive. I think we paid $45 or so for it.
Climbing out would be dangerous! I would put him in a toddler bed, There are downsides though, he can get up on his own at anytime. You wont be able to make him stay in bed anymore. My 18 month old always gets up after a couple hours and wants to be in our bed
You don’t want the baby to disrupt his life to much so get him in the bed before you have the baby.
Usually its 2 years of age OR when they can climb out. If he does it again I’d certainly be getting him a toddler bed.
I think the number one thing to look for is how careful/aware is he of falling from the bed? My son is 15 1/2 months old and im still not sure that at 18 months he’ll be aware of getting hurt and falling if he stands up in the bed. Once they know how to climb in and out of the bed safely then i would switch him. A good way to find out is letting him get up on the couch or your bed.
EDIT: He climbs on and off the couch BUT he’s not yet careful enough you know experienced enough Lol
My oldest son was about 15 months when he randomly wouldn’t sleep in his crib anymore.
We bought him a toddler bed and he slept like a baby. I just bought those side rails so he wouldn’t fall out.
I think he was telling me he was ready to be more independent.
He never climbed out of his crib though. I’m glad I never had to deal with that. I’m sure I will at some point with my youngest.
I would definitely switch him over a few months before. Its a good idea to get him adjusted to the bed before the baby, because when the baby comes he’ll have to get adjusted to that. You don’t want to overwhelm your son.
Good Luck.
I switched my son over to his big boy bed a couple months before he turned 2. We got him a race car bed. It has high sides so he can’t fall out but the slope in the front lets him get out easily. He’s 3 now and still loves it. It was the best idea ever.