3 Year-old Transitioning Out of Crib

The easiest thing I have found with my children is to skip the toddler bed, and put his mattress directly on the floor. Since he is 3, and seems to need more space, you could go straight to his twin mattress (or whatever size bed he will have) on the floor. Then, add box springs after he has adjusted, then, add a frame. We never used side rails, as my kids were essentially trained on the floor until they stayed on the mattress. Good luck.

Most Moms I know have recommend going with a twin size bed over a toddler bed. The child will out grow the toddler soon enough so just go with the twin size. Until you are ready to purchase, put the crib mattress on the floor. The bedroom may look funny for awhile, but you won't have to worry about him falling. Good luck.

I skipped the toddler bed, and put my son in a twin bed on box springs on the floor at the age of 2 and a half. I put the bed against the wall on one side, and put a gaurd rail on the other side. He has never fallen out of bed.It is still set up that way. He's almost 4 now.

Get the removable rails and that go 1/2 way. My 3 year old has been in his bed since 1 1/2 and the 1/2 rail works great. He can still get up himself but if he is tossing and turning he won't fall out. Toddler beds/cribs aren't very wide for a 3 year old. Try buying a twin bed and see if that helps.

I have a super tall 2 1/1 year old, at his 2 year appt he was already 36 1/2 inches tall!! but we put him in a twin bed with double side rails at 18 mths. He has never once tried to get out of bed and he has never fallen out. Maybe you could try that?? Start with putting him in the bed at naptimes so you can watch him, OR try starting him out on the floor on the twin with the rails to make sure he gets used to it before you put it on the bedframe.

good luck
K.

we did the same to our crib for our 18month...he feels so big now...We got a fisher price one sided rail from toys r us. It is almost the length of the crib mat.. He still can get in and out but he is safe.

Does he have to be in the bed? Put his mattress on the floor--or put a mat/extra mattress next to his bed to cushion his falls for a week or two, till he learns not to fall out.

Another thought, since I haven't seen it here: In one place we lived when my brother (2 years younger) & I were still young enough to share a room, we had a 3-bedroom place--but 2 of the bedrooms were really tiny. So Mom designated one room as the playroom & made the other room wall-to-wall mattresses on the floor (probably 2 doubles or even a double and a twin) for us to sleep in.

I had the same issue with my daughter, although she was in a twin. I lined the floor with pillows to soften the blow, and eventually used a rail as well. I would say get him in a twin -- little toddler beds are best for calm sleepers who aren't moving all over. If he wants to spread out, give him more room.

R.,

What about a double bed. We got one for my son and he does so much better in that-- we put pillows on the floor-just in case and we have a long body pillow that lays next to him.

Molly

My husband and I decided to put our daughter in a twin bed on the floor. We put down a box spring and then the twin mattress on top and if she does fall, its not far. We also put blankets along the edge of the mattress to aid in the soft landing. I hope this helps a little. Good luck!

Put the mattress on the floor.

R.,

Get rid of the crib all together. Put the mattress on the floor against the wall. If he rolls off he won't have far to go. When you can, purchase a toddler bed, they have some really cute ones and they are close to the floor.

Blessings.....