Big Boy Bed Move?

Sounds like your son is not ready. Don't force it or he may end up not enjoying bedtime and that will be a larger issue. It may also be safety issue if he's very upset or climbing around his room. You will have a "grace period" of 3-4 months after the baby is born since an infant can sleep in a bassinet. Try to be patient and if he still isn't ready, you might just have to buy or borrow another crib. Trust me, you don't want a toddler going crazy in his room or wandering out of his bed when you have a newborn and you're not sleeping as it is. When your son is ready, he will be climbing out of his crib and will be more cognizant of sleeping in his "big boy" bed. My son is 3 now and I let him pick out his sheets and a pig pillow - that helped him get excited about it. He was 2.5 when he transitioned...and he still tries to get out! It's not easy! Good luck.

We had the same situation (though our kids are 21 months apart) and asked our pediatrician. His advice: keep our son in the crib as long as possible because it is the safest place for him until he tries to climb out.

He was almost 2.5 when we moved him. Our daughter was in our room (in a pack-n-play) until it was time to move her into the crib.

The thing you don't think about moving your older child is that they have no means of staying in their bed like they do a crib. And, if he's not a good sleeper or becomes a poor sleeper, you're going to have more problems keeping him in his room. I'm not a fan of locking your kids in there or using gates for safety/psychological reasons.

My advice is to keep him there as long as possible.
Good luck!

Keep him in the crib until he's 3, or climbing out! Borrow another crib if you have to or like the PP, use the Pack & Play for the new baby. It will make your life a LOT easier.

If you look back at this question it seems to be one of the most posted...all mine were in the toddler beds for naps by 14-15 months. Then they were sleeping in all night by 18 months. They were never up wandering around or playing. Just be patient and keep working with him. Put him to sleep and then put him on the bed. Eventually he will lay down on it and go to sleep on his own.

With one of them we did put the toddler bed in our room because the other room was full of baby bed and twin size bed. He would occasionally crawl up the foot of the bed and sleep with us but I'm okay with that. He moved to a twin when he was about 2 1/2.

Couldn't agree w/ Denise more. I took my daughter out too early for the same reason. She went from a great sleeper to one who was up and getting us at all hours. I too, couldn't "lock" her in her room, and we went for months and still struggle with a full night's sleep in her room - she is 3.5! If I had to do it over, I would have found a way to get another crib. She wasn't ready and I pushed it. I will not take my son out until he climbs out - he turns two on Friday!

Unless you are considering getting a 2nd crib, then I would take the first one down completely, and put it out of sight (the garage or spare room or something where he can't see it all the time) when you are ready for him to sleep in his new room. The same day the crib gets "packed up" is the same night he sleeps in his new room.
I wouldn't make a "HUGE" deal about the new bed/room. Acknowledge it, be cheerful and congratulatory, yes, but don't go overboard, or you can create stress for your son.
Whenever you decide is fine... as long as it is say... 6 weeks or so before the baby arrives. Then, you will have the crib "down" for 3 weeks or so before you need to think about setting it back up for the new arrival (with new baby bedding?). New sister may come early, you never know for sure, so keep that time frame in mind also.

That said, I would try to transition as much of his bedding to his new room as you can. His baby comforter/quilt (if he has one) for certain, even if it is only put on top of his new stuff as an "extra". Also, we used those safety side rails on our son's bed when he moved up. It adds some "coziness" and can aid with the getting in and out of bed issues, as a deterrent. Keep his entire bedtime routine the same- except that it ends in his bed, not the crib.

i agree with denise. i think it is too soon. our pediatrician told us to keep our kids in there unless they are climbing out. you need your sleep and under two is young. it will take lots of patience to teach this skill especially if he is not ready. i would use the pack in play with your new baby until he is a bit older or see if you can get another crib borrow one or get a used one. it will be worth it in the end for everyone.

I'm in the same position as you, try laying down with him at nap time in his big boy bed, and a baby gate at the door neutralizes his ability to folow you out of the room. take naps/ lay down with him until he goes to sleep for his nap in the room and explain to him that he's going to be a big brother now, and in order to be a good big brother, that he should "give" his "baby bed" to his "baby sister" make him feel like he's helping her out instead of "i'm taking this from you and giving it to your sister" emphasize the "big boy" v.s "baby". he should step up to the challange if he understands that he'll be helping out and being a big boy and taking care of his little sister. good luck

We moved my first son to a big boy bed when he was 2 and its was very difficult. For weeks he would cry and get up and scream and it was awful. I finally came up with the idea to put a canopy over his bed since he was used to the crib tent. Then he was ok with it, but before that, it was terrible. I felt so bad but i had another baby due too. I would advise not pushing him until he is ready if possible. It will save you weeks and weeks of turmoil and feeling like a bad parent. But if you have to move him, be very very patient. It will take time. Try music in his room or something new for him if he stays in bed. Try whatever you can think of. It will take a lot of time. Good luck.