When Is Child Ready for Toddler Bed

B.,

My sons are 20 months apart. I have 2 cribs. My older son is nearly 3, and is just now moving into a twin bed. He loves his crib, I didn't want to deal with moving him out since he had just started sleeping really well at about 15 months. I needed my rest, and he still was fine in his crib, so we let well enough be.

I bought a used one at the Roseville ECFE Stuff sale (a huge kids only garage sale in April every year) and actually bought a third crib to take to my mom's at the same time! They were priced so great (less than $30) it seemed silly not to just buy a second crib.

Good luck to you!
J.

I would say you'll be fine! Most children can go to a toddler bed at about 18 months. I suggest moving your daughter's room right away before she associates the change with the baby. I'd also move her big-girl bed in there so she's used to it too. And start lying down in it before bed and before naps. These ideas all worked for us and we had no problems with the transitions both times.

Given your daughter's sleeping habits I think it'll be smooth sailing! Best of luck!

We moved our toddler into a toddler bed when she was about 19 months old. That was about the time she learned that if she tried real hard, she could climb out of her crib. I just didn't want her to get hurt by falling, so we quickly got her into that big bed! The first couple nights were a little tough just because she thought she could get up and play, but after a few nights, she knew she couldn't do that! Good luck!

I found this link and hope and it is helpful to you.
www.babycenter.com/404_how-and-when-should-i-move-my-todd...

My oldest was in a toddler bed when she was like 13 months old. I just could not wait to get her in one. She did great. She has always been very independent. My son was around 18 months when we moved him into his toddler bed. I think your daughter will do just fine. If you are planning on using the same crib I would move her into a toddler bed sooner rather than later so she does not feel as if the baby is taking her stuff.

My oldest was in a toddler bed at 13 months, but he always hated his crib and was surprisingly mature about the whole thing. The first night, he seemed almost afraid to attempt to get out of his bed. It was kind of funny!
My second is 14 months and I think/hope it will be quite a while before we'll be willing to put him in a big boy bed. He's a bit rambunctious and gets into EVERYTHING; I can't imagine not having him "contained".
I agree with having your daughter help make the new room hers. Allow her to make as many choices as you dare for her bed and room color and decor.
Don't tell her all these changes are for the baby or she might start to resent him/her. Instead, tell her she's a big girl now and gets a new big girl bed in a new big girl room. If you make it all positive and all about her, it should make the transition go much more smoothly.
Also, I would start transitioning right away, making one change (either the bed or the room) now and then the next when you feel she is ready.

Our oldest was a few days shy of 15 months when we brought our second home. To avoide buying a new crib we put the baby in the bassinet of the Pack n play in our room until our oldest was ready to move to a big boy bed (a twin, not a toddler bed). We made the switch when he was about 19 months old when he started climbing out of the crib.

Your daughter will do fine. My children never transitioned to a toddler bed, but to a regular size bed. I put guard rails up and they did fine. My daughter bounced SOOOO much in her crib, (she was the second child using it) that the crib finally gave way and crashed. Anyhow, we didn't buy another crib, but transitioned her to a double bed at 16 months. She did just fine.

If you can move your daughter to the larger room now, then slowly transition her to the bed, it might make for a smoother outcome for everyone. It might be too much change for her to go from crib to bed and then nursery to big room.

Congrats on #2 and I hope you have a smooth pregnancy the rest of the way.

My youngest 2 were very close they are under a year apart. We survived. We did though purchase another crib from a friend so that it wasn't that expensive. But like I said my older son just turned 1 when we brought the baby home. (There birthdays are within 2 days of each other :-) I wouldn't think there would be a problem moving your daughter to a big bed though. But maybe get started on the new room now so she has plenty of time to adjust. New room, but still in her crib. Then try the big bed. Somthing we did with our oldest, we put the mattress on the floor for a long time. The eventually added the box spring and when she was really good the frame. It was s shorter distance to fall, which made me feel better even though we had the a railing on her bed. It was also easier for her to get in and out of which really helped my daughter.
Good Luck!
N.

I always went by the rule of 2years of age or climbing out of crib. You could change both at the same time, decorate the second room, asking her advice on what she wants her room to look like, I know she probably doesn't talk much, but show her color cards, stencils, etc, she wich one she likes the most. Invention is the mother of necessity so don't worry about rushing her. Kids adapt. My son was crawling out of his crib by 12 months, so you do have time, especially if she is a little clutzy, making the move to a bed might be safer than the crib.