I Need Advise on How to Get My Daughter Out of Her Crib and into a Big Girl Bed.

Maybe just taking the crib down so she can't see it would help her get over it. And I believe there are rail type items you can get for toddler beds. http://www.target.com/Bed-Rails-Toddler-Baby/b?ie=UTF8&am...

Shortly after my daughter's 2nd birthday we moved her into a twin size bed. She has picked out sheets, blankets and pillows for her bed and that always makes her happy. I think as long as the crib is there she is going to want it...take the crib down and use the reward system if she can sleep in her new bed like a big girl...a new stuffed animal for her bed or she can pick out a new blanket...something fun for her. Good luck.

We put our daughter in the toddler bed at 18 months b/c she was climbing out of it. She screamed and didn't want any part of it. She also fell out of the toddler several times. We put a padded blanket down next to the bed, so she wouldn't get hurt. Our daughter turned 2 in Feb and I will still find her sleeping on the floor sometimes. We just put her in her bed and let her cry it out! She will get used to it! Hope this helps!

If it is not that big of a deal, I would let her stay in her crib a bit longer. You could put the bumper back in to keep her foot from getting caught.

If you really do want to get her into a regular bed, I think you'll have to get rid of the crib to get it to work.

Do you think it is an issue of feeling cozy in her crib? If so, maybe getting a bed tent for the regular bed might help her feel comfortable. Or perhaps adding rails, would help?

Good luck and let us know how she does.

J.
www.MindBodyBabyStL.com

My dd is 29 months and we just starting to move her to her big girl bed...we bought a twin with a trundle bed. She has napped in the trundle twice and to make it work I had to 'sleep' on the main bed. She wasn't sure about it at first, but one day I had already set up her animals and blankets so when we went in her new room it looked nice and cozy like her crib - she was interested, but I had to stay there while she fell asleep. After a week or so of good naps experiences I think we will see if she wants to make it overnight in the new bed.
I would suggest rails to make sure she knows she is secure just like in the crib, and since she slept in there before maybe a little time spent on the floor next to her in bed would do her some good. Let her set the pass so her independence doesn't feel threatened since a well rested baby makes for well rested parents!

My two youngest sons were over 3 when I moved them to a big bed. My Parents As Teachers educator used to tell me the crib was a security thing for them. They feel safe in it. If they were happy in the crib, then I was happy. Then I put the big bed in the room and let them play on it, and nap on it before sleeping overnight in it (with the sides up). My son is now 3 1/2, he sleeps in the big bed but he doesn't like the covers over him. He is usually pointed sideways or to the foot of the bed, but he stays in it like a crib and calls for me to get out in the morning. We had bad experiences with my daughter who was 2 years, 9 months when we moved her to the big bed. She wanted to get out in the middle of the night - very often! Good luck.

Here's what I would do - take the mattress off the toddler bed and put it on the floor. Take the bed frame away for a while. Make up the mattress with her favorite sheets, and decorate it with stuffed animals - whatever she likes. Make it fun and inviting. Get rid of the crib. Maybe put the bumper pad around the toddler mattress. Tell her you have a surprise for her and show her her cozy little nest on the floor.

The problem is that the crib is up and she has the option to use it. With all of my kids, the crib went away and all they had was the toddler bed, which they were very happy with.

If that seems manipulative, make her part of the process. Tell her she's a big girl and it's time for the crib to go bye bye. Let her get in it and throw out all her stuff onto the floor (distrruction is fun!) Then tell her she can keep her mattress and bumper pad and let her help decorate her new bed on the floor. Tell her daddy will take apart the crib later, so give it a big hug good bye. (I wouldn't let her see the crib be dismantled - could be upsetting)

My son just turned 3 and is still in his crib. He LOVES his crib. We just put out a toddler bed for him to start getting used to it. But I would not push it for awhile. I would just use bumpers for now. what seems to work best with my son is reverse psychology. We tell him, okay you don't want to big boy bed, then this is now daddy's bed and he gets to decorate it and sleep in it. My son will then yell no it is my bed and want it. I sometimes works. My son is very skinny and small though so the crib is just right for him for the time being. I say whatever helps her sleep.