When to Change to a Toddler Bed

I have two teenagers. They each went into a toddler bed when they were able to climb out of their cribs. I'd rather have them rolling off a low bed (I also put a comforter on the floor) than falling out of a crib. I put a gate across their bedroom door, so that they could not get up and wander around.

Hope this helps.

How old is she first of all? Is she trying to climb out of the crib at all? They say as long as they are not trying to climb out they can stay in the crib. However I knew a little boy who was 2 1/2 never tried climbing out so they kept him in the crib until all of a sudden he tried, fell out and broke his leg and hip. I think 2 1/2 is too old to still be in a crib though anyway. My son is 21 months and never tried to climb out as of yet. But he will be in a big boy bed before 2 1/2.

You can switch when you are ready. There are advantages and disadvantages at each age. We changed our oldest when she was about to turn 2 because our twins were on the way and I wanted the crib. I also wanted the oldest to be used to the bed and no longer associate the crib as being her own. I was probably over cautious on that one, but it worked for us. She loved having a "big girl" bed. With the twins, we switched them at 2 and a month because they were learning how to climb out of the cribs. I know a number of moms who have chosen to use crib tents (prevents climbing out) to keep the kids in the cribs until an older age. We chose to switch to beds. Once we switched the twins, they took about a week to adjust to the new set up. During that time, it took a little bit longer to get them to sleep at night and completely disrupted their napping. Now, a few weeks later, they do very well at night and are doing much better at nap. With two, they sometimes want to play at nap time, since they can now, but that's an issue with two that we didn't have as much with one. With the one though, we also chose to put up a gate to her room for a few months, which provided a way to keep her in. We did not do this with the twins. Good luck making your choices and congratulations on having your second child on the way!

We have three kids. At around 18 +/- months we gave them a choice. We kept the crib set up and put a mattress on the floor. They were excited about & chose the big bed; they were ready. Maybe this will work for you, too! Best to you!

I see that you are expecting. If you'd like to use the crib for the new baby, consider whether or not you think your daughter could handle it. Our pediatrician suggested giving at least 3 months for our daughter to make that transition and get used to things before her brother arrived. We moved our first at 25 months and our second at 23/24 months (he learned how to climb out...) Others will suggest other times. We also talked about it with both kids for at least 2 weeks before doing it and got them cute bedding that they would like. Oh yeah, lastly, we didn't use a toddler bed. They both went to regular twin beds, pushed against the wall with a railing on the other side. They are not as tall because we didn't use traditional box spring, rather a "bunky board" - thinner board used for bunk beds, which the bed we have eventually will be. So, if you can think ahead...we have a twin bunk bed, split it up so our oldest got part of it first...and our youngest has the rest of it now. (You could mix it up...each bed has one headboard and one footboard....to make a bunk, the bottom will have the two headboards and the top will have the two footboards)

Go with your gut. Good luck.

I moved my son to a toddler bed around 22 months. I was expecting my second and needed the crib. I took the crib down and put it away for about 3 months before I put it back up to use if for her. By the time I put it up for her, he loved his bed and was not jealous at all about her using the crib. I don't even think he remembered!

Seeing that you are expecting your second, you probably want to avoid buying an additional crib, so I'd say start the transition when you are comfortable doing so...

As for us, my daughter is older, almost three and a half - and she still loves her crib and doesn't try climbing out. We've discussed getting the big girl bed and that it will happen "soon" since we are now expecting our second... but I think we just got lucky that she always listened to the dangers of trying to climb out without help. (we told her straight up that she could get big boo boos!)

Our pediatrician said to try and keep them in as LONG as possible, given the safety factor - of course if they try to climb out and could get hurt, then change to the bed.

hi J.,
It is really a matter of opinion with a toddler bed. When I was pregnant for my second son, we wanted to get my oldest son out of the crib so he would forget about it before the baby came, so he would not feel the baby was taking "his bed"
He was 18 months when we transitioned him and it went great. I just recently transitioned my 2nd son into a toddler bed at 20 months...he also did awesome.
Some people believe keep them in a crib until they show signs of climbing out. But if you plan to use the same crib for the new baby...I would take him out atleast a couple months prior to the new little one arriving.
Good luck
T.

I would switch to a toddler bed when you see any sign of your child trying to climb out of the crib, it isnt worth the risk of injury.

My first child I moved to a twin size bed at 2yr 4mo old. He would sometimes put his foot up on the top bar of the crib, so I figured I'd move him then. With my 2nd child, I moved her to, a crib mattress on the floor, with bed rails around it so she doesnt roll off, at 2yrs old. One day I put her in for a nap in her crib, and just as I left the room, she ALMOST climbed right out onto the floor........ That was enough for me to put the crib away!!! She is petite, so that is why I didnt move her right into a real bed. I figure rather than investing the money in a toddler bed, I'd just put the crib mattress on the floor for several months til she is ready for a twin size bed.... I also put a gate on the doorway at night.

Hope this helps some.

Switch when the kid starts trying to sustain a skull fracture by flinging himself head first over the guardrails. Otherwise, enjoy it while it lasts ;)

I would wait as long as possible, my almost 2 year old started climbing out of the crib so we purchased a crib tent. We moved our older son when was about 2ish to a toddler and he got up constantly! I am hoping with my youngest he stays in the crib until at least 3.

When ever you think your daughter is ready for the toddler bed make the switch. My son hated the crib, he would scream and scream and then try to climb out around 10 months so I just moved him right into the bed. He loved it!

We switched our daugther at 2 years but I know a lot of people that waited to closer to 3 years.

It is when you feel they are ready. My son went to a bed at 1d mos old and my daughter was just about 2. It's if you think they're ready. I would just be sure to use the guard rails.

If you don't have any safety issues with the crib (climbing out), I would stick with it. I switched my daughter to a toddler bed around 19 or 20 months because we had a baby coming soon after. Its been a nightmare ever since. We've had to take almost everything else out of her room in order for her to sleep instead of play. I can't tell you how many times I've had to put clothes away after her naps because she took everything out of her dresser. Just Saturday she pulled the dresser down on top of herself because she was climbing it. That was after putting child safety locks on the drawers, which she can apparently open anyway. Thank goodness she was only bruised, but it could have been a lot worse. I wish I had thought about these things before we made the switch. I think she would be more mature and ready for the "responsibility" that comes with the freedom of a toddler bed when she's 3 or so.

Great question as i just did this with my 28month old daughter. We are expecting #2 in January and although I will keep the new baby in my room to start I wanted her to become comfortable with sleeping in a big girl bed. SO.... this is what we did, mind you she didn't climb out at all so I wasn't sure how this was going to work! I had to work last night and I had just bought a used sleigh toddler bed that needed setting up.. My husband brought it up to her room and began setting it up, I didn't have another mattress yet so he took out the mattress from her crib as it was the same size. She wasn't too keen on it but after about 2 hours she became comfortable, he had to tell her that when the new baby came that her crib was going to be used by the new baby and she was ok with it! I was shocked all of this took place while I was at work!!! Also she has been potty training so after he laid her down he went down stairs, but heard her up again. She actually went into the bathroom and went pee! Such a big girl! She slept the whole night in it, and didn't get out until i came in this morning I was still in shock. She called my name like she always does and waited, like she was stuck in the bed! I have just laid her down for nap and so far so good!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed it continues! Good luck!

Just my 2 cents, but...
I'd say when your kiddo starts to endanger them selves by climbing OUT of the crib.

Once you switch to a toddler bed - they have freedom to get up and out and it's a whole other world of struggle. (especially if they are too young and communication is an issue!)