2 1/2 Year Old Son Loves Crib, When Is He Ready for a Big Boy Bed?

This is going to sound weird, but my son told me! I don't remember exactly how old he was maybe almost 3 and one day he said "mommy I'm too big for this bed". My husband and I jumped all over it, we found a toddler bed for $25.00 and put him in it that night. The transition was smooth, we took down the crib and put it in the closet. I was going to leave it up but thought that would cause some anxiety so we took it down immediately. He took right to it!

Hope this helps!

If yours son's not climbing out then I would keep him in the crib as long as you can. I had to move my oldest daughter out earlier because our second was on the way. I would have kept her in till she was three. I think at 2 1/2 she went in her big girl bed and did fine. Our second climbed out at two so we put her in the big girl bed. She roamed the house for weeks (at night) then finally stayed put. Your son will let you know when he's ready. But if your ready then go for it. Good luck!

Sorry for the late response but I agree with all the other moms. Keep him in there as long as possible. I had to move our 2 1/2 year old in September due to his climbing out every night at bed time and again in the morning. He does not play in his room at night but he gets up and comes in our bed whenever he feels scared. This is not fun. He now falls asleep in our bed and I have to move him. I know it is not good to keep this up but it is easier then fighting with him for an hour to stay in his bed. So..leave him in his crib until he is just too big for it!

If I were you, I would ask him, honestly. My son had to be moved out of his crib at 18 months so I could get it ready for his new little sister. She then stayed in it till almost three because she wasn't showing any signs of wanting out, so we did a big girl bed for her third bday. Every kid is different on it. What do YOU want to do? If you're ready to ditch the crib you could probably talk him into it easy enough by making it exciting ("it's a big boy bed, how cool is that", etc.) but if you're fine with keeping him in the crib then I wouldn't push it.

I moved my first son out at 2 because I needed the crib for my second son. My second son stayed in his crib until he was over 3. If he is sleeping well, I would just leave him in the crib. There is also a possiblity during the transition, the he might not sleep through the night for awhile.

Good luck

leave him! My son went into his bed just before three, but only because I had another on the way. If that hadn't been the case, I wouldn't have even brought it up. He loved his crib, but just to let you know, he transitioned very easily. He never roams at night and is still a great sleeper. However, getting him to bed is a different story! Don't deal with that sooner than you have to! When we were ready to start, we took the side off his crib and he slept like that for about a month before he moved into his big bed in his new room of his own free will. I think that is a must! Have it available to him but let him choose when he goes.

Both my boys stayed in their cribs to 3 1/2! They loved their cribs and it gave me peace of mind - no wandering around at night or getting out of bed. I also had no trouble when they switched to a regular bed - their sleep habits were well established and we had no popping up out of bed.

I'm not sure why everyone is in such a hurry to get their babies out of their cribs. Of course if you had another baby coming or if your son was climbing out, then you might have no choice.

I would say leave him in the crib as long as you can!

Good luck!

I would leave everything as is until he shows signs of wanting change. Why open up a huge can of potential struggles right before the busy holiday season? Also, I don't think it's good timing to ruffle feathers in his sleep routine...things are different at holiday time, busy, schedules are messed up, family is in/out...

I have heard that although every kids is different, that most kids aren't mature enough until age 3....they just can't understand staying in one place, not climbing or playing in the room at night, etc....they can better handle the 'freedom' when a little older.

I say why rush....he has the rest of his life to have a big-boy bed.... Best wishes :-)

B.,

Check the maximum height for crib usage on your crib. If your son is near or at that height he needs to transition to a big bed for safety reasons even though he isn't climbing out. The reason for this is that when he stands up and leans on the railing enough of his upper body is above the railing and he could fall out.

Hope this helps.

--K.