Hi -
i have adorable little girl who just turned 3. She is still in a crib, and is perfectly content there. She does not have any siblings, as of yet, so really is somewhat unaware of a bigger bed or toddler bed(hers converts). Is it harder to convert them later, should I wait until she really tries to get out, or should I convert her bed soon? thanks for any advice!
Thanks for all your good advice. I think at this point I am going to have her stay in her crib until she is really ready to have me convert it. She is doing well with potty training and goes before bed/nap time. I appreciate all of your responses~
Hi C.!
I would transition her now. 3 is certainly old enough. Do you really want to wait until you find her climbing out the top? My kids were born so close together they were out of their cribs by 2. If her crib converts, I would start with that so it is still a familiar space to her, but will allow her more freedon to get in and out by herself. Best of luck!
Hi C.
My first and so far only experience with crib to bed transition was a nightmare. My son wasn't quite 3, he was perfectly content in his crib but grandmom bought him a thomas the tank engine bed and really wanted him to use it, so I took the leap. He went from a 12 1/2 hour a night sleeper to 9 hours max, I had to put a gate at his room because he would NOT stay in bed or his room. We would find him at all hours of the night playing in the bathroom, hallways etc. It took a LONG time to get this boy to stay in his bed. Fast forward 2 years and he's still a nightmare. Unless she is potty training and needs to get up at night to use the potty I would leave her until she asks for a bed or starts getting out of the crib. Just my opinion because I took a perfectly content little boy out of his crib and put him into a bed and made him a monster sleeper... I laugh now but not 2 years ago...
The older they are the easier the transition is. The experts say to keep children in a crib for as a long as possible for their safety. But there is also a point where you must take them out for their safety. I don't remember the height when they should be taken out but you should be able to find that info online at a parenting info site. It seems like if the side rail goes below their breast line or something then you should pull them out because they can flip or fall out. I would keep the child in until the safety height has been reached. If she's content, why pull her out where she's safe?
When you do pull her out, get a simple gate to put up on her bedroom door until she gets used to being able to run loose, especially if she's upstairs. And with potty training, you may want to keep move the gate to the top of the stairs so that she will be able to reach the bathroom when needed. And if she's downstairs you can put the gate up in the hall so she doesn't have the run of the house until she gets used to being cut loose.
Also, pull up cords to blinds and anything else that may be a hazard. Put outlet plugs in all the sockets and put a night light in the room as some kinds may get nervous with the sudden open feel.
When you get a bed, or transition to the daybed from the crib, let the child pick out her own bedding so she will want to stay in her bed.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius
I would do what ever you feel comfortable with. I think by the time she is four she should be in a bed.
Hi C., It's all about what you feel comfortable with at this point. If she is a good sleeper and you are ready for her to move up into a twin or toddler bed then go for it. She may have a bit of trouble with the switch if you give her a new matteress (like we all do with new beds) so the toddler bed might be a better option to start with then you can use her matteress, her sheets and blankets that she loves and is used to. Best wishes.
My youngest was in his crib until he was 4. He LOVED his crib and didn't want to change to a bed and rarely tried to climb out.He has 2 older siblings so was well aware of a bed but was happy.Why change her bed when she is content, you may have a new set of issues!
I've always heard if they are not climbing out--leave them in the crib til they are 3. You know your daughter. In a way, it IS a whole new ball game once they are in a "big" bed b/c they are free to just get out & walk around. Do you think she is ready? personally, I wouldn't rush it.
IMO, toddler beds are a waste & I'd just go to a bigger bed. Can't use the rails with a toddler bed, but you can wth a twin, full, etc.
Maybe try keeping the side down to transition to the feeling of freedom? You know what "they" say--if it ain't broke, don't fix it! JMO. Good luck!
Hi C.-
My daughter turned 3 in April and we just moved her to a bed about a month ago. (well, technically we just took the side off her crib since it converted) She was also perfectly content in her crib, but we just felt like it was time. We are still perfecting her use of the potty, and at the time I thought maybe it would help if she felt like a big girl all around. She actually did fine with it. When she's really tired she'll say she wants her crib back, but that's about it. I am happy we kept her in it until 3 even though some thought it was strange. She still takes her normal nap. I do sometimes hear her running around in her room, but I tell her she can play for 5 or 10 minutes, then she needs to get in bed and sleep. And I've been pleasantly surprised. The only downside is that she does seem to get up a little earlier in the morning. I think she used to wake up and play for a few minutes in her crib, then fall back to sleep, but the minute she wakes up now, she gets up and starts playing. We also do have a child lock on the door b/c I am not yet comfortable with the idea of her getting out at night or roaming the house. I plan on putting a potty in her room.
Anyway, I think whatever you decide is fine. As long as she still fits in it and is safe, sleeps well in it, and it isn't interfering with anything such as potty training, I say keep her in it. :)
I forced my son into a toddler bed when he was about to turn 3, when he was more than content with his crib. It was a big mistake for us! He is just now ( one year later) starting to be comfortable sleeping in the toddler bed. He never tried to climb out of his crib either. We were moving and I was trying to consolidate! I won't be making the same mistake with my daughter (who also loved her crib!)
I would probably let her stay in the crib a little longer too. My experience with the transition was that naps stopped altogether. When my sons were able to get out thats what they would do. They would also get out at night and search me out. Also you lose the "snugness" that a crib has which makes for a better sleep.
With my youngest-who learned how to jump out of the crib early, I just let the bar down so it was kind of like a toddler bed. He would have to climb out but it wasnt difficult. Even with him being able to get out he always stayed in when he was supposed to.
My opinion is that it is time for the big bed! You are probably potty training at this point and your daughter needs to be able to get to the bathroom. It should not be difficult to transition at this age. Have a discussion with her and get excited with her that she is getting so big and can sleep in a big kid bed!
