Bassinet, Crib, and Bed: When to Move?

Hi. I am a mom with 4 kids that were all so close that it was one right after another in the crib (we got our monies worth out of that bed). What we did was to remove the crib completely from the room. It was a pain to take it down every 18 months, but it helped to ease the jelousy of the next child taking the beloved crib. We would put there new bed in the room next to the crib for a week, then we would take down the crib and put it out of sight for atleast 2-3 weeks (really however long it takes for your older one to forget about the baby bed and really begin to like the big bed), then we woud re put up the baby bed for the baby in the family. All of my older children did fine and had no jelousy of the baby getting their crib. I honestly do not know if they knew it was the same one they slept in. It worked great for us with all 3 of our oldest children. Good luck to you. The hardest part is getting the 21 month old to stay in bed. I know the first few nights it was like having a newborn all over again.

The 21mo. old is old enough to move out of the crib. You should talk to the older child about how the new baby will be needing the crib soon. He is a big boy and how happy it is that he's big enough to give it to the baby. There should be no negative talk. Set a day on a calendar but DON'T let it change. If you let it move you are showing him it CAN move. On that day talk about it all day about how tonight is the FIRST night he is sleeping in his big boy bed and the baby is sleeping in the crib. good luck

Hi K.,
I wouldn't spoil a good thing. If he's a good sleeper and you can afford another crib, I'd get another crib. He might just play more than sleep in the bed if you force him there now. It won't be long before he refuses to sleep in the crib because he's a big boy! Hold on to these baby years. They go sooo quickly!
J.
Single mom of 11 yo boy

Hi K.,

My thought is not to rush your son as he is sleeping so well and enjoys his crib (as a fellow full-time working mom, I truly appreciate the value of good sleep). My 3 year old is still in hers and loves it. It is really her "CRIB" with all her stuff. It is true that she is our last one and we don't need to pass down the crib, therefore we are in no rush with her.

A thought is to slowly try to entice your older guy to the bed with a way to make it his (have him pick out sheets, stuff to put on it etc.). Also, seeing beds of his friends may help too.

In the meantime, try a port-a-crib for your younger one if he is too big for the bassinet. My younger son slept in one for a long time and was just fine with it.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

M.

Personally, K., I'd look for a nice secondhand crib for the new baby. Your toddler is obviously very comfortable and happy in his bed, and since this can be a tough time for him, I wouldn't mess with a good thing. I have three kids, and we sort of had the same issues with the two older ones...what to do? We have a crib that converts to a toddler bed, and that worked great for both when we started thinking about moving them out to make room for the new baby each time, but both could have stayed in the crib with the sides on until they were older! (They were three and two and a half when we moved them into twin-sized beds). They were never interested in climbing out of the crib and kept themselves occupied until we got them in the morning, which sounds like yours. ANother poster a few days ago mentioned that her dr said kids can stay in the crib until they are three or older if they are content there. You are so lucky to have a happy, well rested little guy, so don't push him out and make him wonder why he lost his bed to the new kid...it's his safe spot!

I didn't move my son until he was about 3 1/2. I had to put rails on both sides of his bed, but he did fairly well. Whenever you decide to try, you could transition from crib to bed by removing the bed from the frame and letting him sleep on the mattress on the floor. He might consider it an incentive to sleep there rather than the more restrictive crib. Then when he is sleeping well that way, either just raise the bed, maybe on a special occasion such as birthday or holiday. Just a thought.

I have 3 kids, and my advice to you is keep your older son in his crib as long as he's happy and he's not over the safe weight limit for your crib!!! In fact, if your little one is getting too big for his bassinet, I would buy another crib. You can get really nice secondhand cribs (if you don't want to spend tons of money on a new one) and remember that you can always resell it :) Maybe you could even borrow one from a friend for a while (that's what my sis-in-law is doing with her 2 year old and infant).
I moved my 1st daughter out of her crib TOO early, and then had major sleep issues until she was halfway through kindergarten (she slept with me)!! My son got too big for his crib by the time he was 2 years old, and as we speak he's snoozing peacefully in MY bed! Then there's my youngest daughter, who decided to start jumping out of her crib at 15 months! I usually end up sleeping with her in her bed.
Hopefully you can benefit from hearing about my mistakes...if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Keep your little guys in their cribs as long as possible :)

You may want to try naptime first. (unless he's not at home...maybe on a saturday!?) If he is unsure, you could lay w/him for a bit to show that its ok. I also put the bed against a wall, and a body pillow on the outside edge to help them feel secure about not falling out. My sons moved at 24 months and probably about 21 months...they are now in bunk beds at 2.5 and 5 years. The one that moved at 21 mos. moved into the bottom bunk having never slept in a "regular" bed! On the other hand, he also stayed in a pack n play til he was 1 or better because I didn't want him to wake up big brother (who was already in a twin bed, but since they shared a room and lil one still woke up to nurse at least 1-2 times a night). Our room is on the opposite side of the house, and I knew if the youngest woke up screaming, it would probably wake up big brother, too!) He did just fine. But he didn't go to the crib til about 13-14 months and still made the transition to a bed just fine too! The only problem w/that, was that he never got to use the pack n play for a playpen and would never like being "cooped" up! not good for a mom who likes to sew...I haven't been able to much since he was born! Good luck!

I have a 26 month old and a 6 month old. They are 21 months apart. When my older one was about 22 months I tried to move her to a bed. It was aweful. Mainly for me! She would only sleep for an hour or two and wake up screaming. After 2 wks. I gave her the crib back. My 6 month old is in a pack and play. I feel bad for the baby but she doesn't seem to mind.

My older old is a very good sleeper too. She always sleeps through the night. I have also read it is not good to force them.

Good luck....

Why rock the boat--if you're willing to get another crib then do it. Or, you might try putting the bed against one wall and putting up a sturdy rail on the other side so he feels safe--my 8yo still likes her rail--it makes them feel secure. Why mess w/a good sleeper? He'll let you know when he's ready to make the move.

I moved my daughter to a trundle when she was 20 mths and she did fine. We started just a nap times and then bedtime. She got up some at night but soon settled into a good sleeping routine. I try not to let her play in her bed though. I also had to lay down with her the first few nights. Hope this helps.

I didn't move my oldest until he was 4 from his crib!!! He just wasn't ready and it wasn't a big deal, I have two younger boys too. With the baby, we used a portable crib for him until the older one moved on.... just an idea to save money.