Crib Tent, or Toddler Bed? - Clinton,MO

Do you have a convertible crib? Why not just take the front off so she still has her crib but if she falls its only a few inches off the floor. I don't understand "toddler beds". I mean, its the same mattress as the crib but its just an added expense for a short period of time. Since she is almost 2 do not buy anything else. Either take the front of the crib off or convert the crib to a twin or full size bed. My son loved his crib but he loves his big bed even more.

if your daughter can crawl out, it is probably time to go to a toddler bed! A fall out of her crib could really injure her! (like if she fell head first when she tried to crawl out- ahh!)

for a toddler bed, get a "cheap" one... because she wont be in it very long. I have seen them for about $50 on up at amazon, and you can use the same mattress as in your crib and the same bedding (unless you had a mini-crib). you *could* go straight into a twin-size bed now if you feel she would be ready, but if you do, buy toddler bed rails until she is used to sleeping with no "gates" - provided she has mastered crawling onto and off of adult size furniture safely.... but toddler beds are really a little better suited because they are shorter and designed for little tikes!

of course when you transition you need to double check and make sure her sleeping space/room is EXTRA safe- or move her into your room temporarily. Good Luck!

-M.

Toddler bed or crib mattress on the floor. A twin bed can be pretty high for some kids. If you do an adult-sized twin, get bed rails but check first they haven't been recalled -- go to cpsc.gov.

I'm not in favor of crib tents at all. Once a kid can climb out they can be seriously hurt escaping a crib, and a tent just seems like another challenge for the kid who is determined. I've posted it before but here I go again: Friend's 18-month-old broke her arm the very first time she climbed out of the crib. Imagine a child falling from the height of a raised crib rail to the floor -- that's a long way for a small person. If the child lands on her head or neck, she could be gravely injured or killed.

It's hard to keep kids in toddler beds at first; they have the wonderful newness of being able to move around. But you must go through this phase sometime; why not now? Return her to her bed every time she gets out but do not speak to her or interact with her in any way except to say, the first time, "We have to stay in bed." If you talk to her, plead with her, scold her, that's all interaction and that makes it a game to her. She will indeed wear you out, maybe for a few weeks, with getting up and down, but this has to happen at some point. Don't fuss at or punish her, but be very calm and consistent that you do not interact when she gets up.

And get the crib out of the room. If it's still there and she's seeing it from her mattress on the floor or toddler bed, she will want the familiar crib.

I vote toddler bed or twin bed with rail. We our DD in toddler bed @14mo. & she has been fine. Has nights she falls asleep by the door or on floor on side of bed instead, but we move her to bed for the night. No issues & she feels like such a big girl! Took a couple of days to adjust but so far so good. The key for us is keeping her room simple: bed, tub of books & rocking chair. So there is not much for her to get into or cause trouble with.

both of my sons were in twin-size beds at 18 months. It's simply a matter of teaching your child to behave & to listen/abide by your words.

TODDLER BED!

Why lock your child into a crib? That just seems silly to me - like you are trying to keep her from growing up. If she is a fantastic sleeper she probably still will be in a toddler bed.

I suggest going straight to a twin bed. The mattress on the floor is a good idea too and I know several friends who did that before getting a twin bed.

My son climbed out of his crib at 18 mos and we converted it to the toddler bed by removing the front rail. We then fought bedtime for 2 months until we put a twin bed in his room. Things got much better then!

Toddler bed or real bed.
In the meantime, you can take the crib side off and let him sleep there..
Or place the mattress on the floor.

There may be some walking him back to his bed over and over, but he will catch on..

Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs R. (sorry I couldn't help it...you probably get that all the time)

I think toddler bed and baby gate is a great solution. She is going to need a bed anyway as the tent will only work for a short time. Also, you can still hear her and check on her easily with that solution.

My son went from crib to toddler bed. I tried the baby gate and he climbed over it. I just had to be consistent in telling him it's time for bed and putting him in his bed. He was 25 months when he went to his toddler bed. He did good. I stuck to our routine. If I had to go back in there, I didn't say anything to him or stay in there long - I just picked him up, put him back in his bed, and left the room.

My son was in his crib even at 3 years old and he is a tall boy.
Once, he climbed it... then he fell out. It scared him enough that he DID NOT do that, ever again.
He loved his crib and slept SO well in it.
Then once day HE told us, he wants to sleep on a bed.
So then we did.
And he was fine.

She is def ready for her bed to be made into a toddler bed. It is best to limit the number of play items that are accessible to her, too. She will love the toddler bed and her mattress she is used to will remain!It is a great transition! For some tips for you and her www.toddlerbedandmore.com -see toddler tips for parents, may help out! Good luck!