Toddler Bed or Crib Tent

we just transitioned my son at 2.5 out of his crib. It's gone perfectly smooth because we just bought a twin mattress and put it on the floor, then put a bed tent over it (They're on amazon, just search for "Pacific play tents"). He likes it because he still feels snug and "protected" and we like it because he still waits for us to come get him whenever he wakes up. They can get out by themselves, though. Good luck!

Personally, I think a toddler bed is a complete waste of money. We skipped the toddler bed altogether and went straight to a twin size mattress on the floor. Because it was on the floor, there was really no way our kids could get hurt falling. Our son loved it because he could climb in an out of bed by himself, and he could come to our room in the middle of the night if he needed us.

We had the tent with our first child. It was great for keeping her in the crib, but not great when it was time to change the sheets. In order to do it w/out taking down the tent, you have to fit the mattress through the tent's opening. Not easy. It was really annoying to have to do that every time my daughter's diaper leaked. We didn't use one for our second child. The plan was just to move him to a toddler bed as soon as he tried to climb out. He never did and was in the crib until he was 2.5. Our third baby is 23 months and I'll keep him in the crib until he tries to climb out as well. I am not dealing with that tent again!

She is old enough for a toddler bed. If her room is baby proof and she has a gate across her door then she will be safe even if she gets up during the night.

LOVE our crib tent!!!

My son is now nearly 3. He won't stay put in a toddler bed and he tells me that he want's his bed zipped still.

I would advise converting her crib to the toddler bed, because if your daughter is already trying to climb out she would run the risk of entangling herself in the crib tent and strangling herself. Sadly this has already happened, and manufacturers are now recommending you NOT use them once your child tries to climb out of the crib.

Childproof her room completely, use a door gate, and she should be fine.

Well my experience wasn't as wonderful as the ones below. I posted a similiar post ealier, if you want to check it out on my profile.

My son climbed out, so I was very nervous about him getting hurt. We immediately moved him to his toddler bed. The first night went great, nap time became a fight and a nightmare. Thought it'd be great, since we already had the toddler bed in his room and he was used to it. Normally we do a very short routine, he lays down and falls asleep. Always been the perfect sleeper. When we put him in the toddler bed, it became a game of running out of his bed. I did the super nanny method of putting him back without talking, etc, and it did not work. Being pregnant, I needed my rest also.

The best suggestion I received, which we now use and love, was to remove the spring section of the crib and put the mattress on the floor (still inside the crib. That was too low for our crib and since we already have the toddler bed, we just stacked the two mattresses together, within the crib. I knew in my heart that my son was not ready for the transition, and the freedom that comes with moving to a toddler bed. If you think your daughter is ready, then go with it. If not, this is what worked best for us. The day we did it he went right back to sleepign soundly at bedtime and at naptime. It was healthier and safer for all involved.

We moved my daughter at 16 months into a toddler bed, then into a twin bed when the new baby came along. We knew we'd be having a c-section and I was very nervous about nap times following the delivery. When my DD started asking for bed and waiting next to it for us to meet her there, we moved her to a toddler bed. The girls started sharing a room when the baby was 4 months old and we ended up moving the older baby back into a crib because she just couldn't stay put with her sister in the room.

Now, she regularly takes naps and goes to sleep efficiently, two things that NEVER happened even before the transition.

I have no idea what happened there, but I do know we're all sleeping better and we're not planning to move either baby out of cribs until absolutely necessary. I know this doesn't really answer your exact question but I'm thinking our scenario (since it literally just played out) might help you guys make a decision.

We switched our DD over to a toddler bed at 16 months as well and for the same reason that you mentioned. We also have a crib that converts to a toddler bed which I honestly think helps with the transition because it allows them to stay in the same place that they are used to and comfortable with. The first week was literally hell trying to keep her in her bed once she got this new found freedom but it was really only a week and after that it just got better and better from there. She is now almost 19 months and I dont regret it at all. I much would rather have gone thru that crazy week than to ever have taken the chance of her falling out of her crib and landing on her head
Good Luck