Transitioning Toddler from Crib to Bed

17 months = almost 2.

While I don't necessarily agree with the phrase "terrible two", in my experience they do get a whole lot more opinionated as it approaches.

I find it's easier if they choose pjs from two options, choose the bed time story from two options, choose cheek or mouth for a kiss... get what I'm saying? If she's not feeling like she has to make a stand, she may be less likely to make what SHE wants anything other than what YOU want.

With both my boys I had to give them a little extra TLC at bedtime. Creating a routine helped a lot for us. Bath, pajamas, books and bedtime songs are what we did. It didn't go easy every night, there was some crying on both sides, but we kept at it and it worked. Now they both go to bed pretty well on their own, without any of all that.

Hi, W.,

It is not clear from your letter if you have changed the crib to a day bed yet, but here is what I get from your letter:

Your daughter is really still a baby and changing beds and giving up bottles are MAJOR transitions that she might not be ready to make yet. It sounds like her sense of security is a little thrown. You have a couple of options. You could try giving her a bottle again for a little while to reassure her. You could snuggle with her until she falls asleep and then put her back in bed or just rock her to sleep if you have a rocker. You can get safety canopys for cribs for babies in this stage. Give her lots of love and reassurance and this will pass.

I have 3 kids, a daughter (14) and two sons (11 and 7). My daughter was the neediest. I carried her around in a back pack and nursed her to sleep. She only seemed happy if she was physically attached to me! But now she is an independent 8th grader, GT and honor student and a musician. I feel that all my efforts to make her secure paid off big time!

I hope this helps. :)

A.

I moved my daughter at about 14/15 months to a toddler bed. The first night she slept in the the bed, I sat on the end of the bed just to make sure that she stayed there and to let her know that it was OK. I would rub her belly every now and then but I would not make eye contact or talk to her. The next night I just sat there without touching her. The following night, I just sat there till she was quiet and left the room before she fell asleep. Now she lays in her bed and falls asleep on her own (most nights). There are still some nights that I have to take her back to her bed but you just have to be consistent. I would also suggest that you do not leave a light on. I find that when I leave the light on she will get up more often and try to play. Some kids are easier than others. I think I got really lucky! Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you.

You may want to put the crib back together and wait until she's old enough for you to reason with. You can purchase a mesh crib tent from www.onestepahead.com to keep her from climbing out of the crib for now.

I have a really good book on sleep issues and the author recommends that you wait to transition out of the crib until the child is closer to 3 yrs. old.

Good luck. I hope you find the perfect solution for you and your daughter.

I transitioned my daughter at 22 months for the same reasons. I laid in bed with her for about 20 - 30 minutes and read with her trying to get her used to the toddler bed. It worked like a charm. Now she plays there and sleeps there and loves her little bed