Transitioning 2Yo to New Room

Hi E., We did this last year with our son before the twins were born, we moved AND he went from crib to toddler bed. Things that worked great for us, before the actual move, be sure to give hime time in the new room, make a big deal out of it, put some of his things in there so he can gradually get used to it.

The transition to the big boy bed went so well, we were shocked. We took him with us and he picked out a new bed, new sheets, new pillow and got to pick one "special" blankie to put on this new bed as well. We came home that night and set his new bed up right next to his crib. He didn't even think twice, at bedtime, he went right to the bed and hasn't looked back since.

Good Luck and congratulations on #2! M.

Hi. We actually moved my daughters crib into the new room first and let her sleep in the new room for a few weeks in her own comfortable crib and then after about 3 weeks started her taking naps in her big girl bed... just to get her use to it and that way I was getting use to her being in there and re-baby/toddler proofing, ie, putting away all lotions ect. Things that she never touched when was in a crib- powder, baby lotion, vaseline that she now considered free game b/c she could get out of bed herself and go get them..She did great and by week 3 was sleeping full nights in her own bed.. Good luck.

Congrats on the new addition! We had transitioned our daughter to a big girl bed before we had our son. We bought her the bed for her 2nd b-day, made a big deal out of picking her bedding and a new pillow and stuff for her room and bed. She did really well right away. As far as the new room, we did that when we moved, it is a little different, new house new room. Maybe you could let him know that now he has a big boy bed that he needs a new room and all his same toys and everything will be in there with him, maybe have him help you pack all his stuff up and move it so he doesn't think it is getting throw away and he can help decide how to set up his room. Hope this helps! Good luck!!!

Make the new room nice, something he would like, and don't move him in right away. Let him check it out, read books in there and say "this is going to be your big boy room", let him get used to the idea. After a couple days ask "are you getting excited for your new room. and a week after that transition. Do not show any reluctance, and it will probably go well. Have some of his favorite things. Don't worry.

We did this with my oldest when we were due with my 2nd. We had her involved with everything. Picking out paint, bedding, decorations etc. She LOVED it. She was so thrilled. And then I had her help me with getting the crib ready for the baby. We talked about how the baby was going to sleep there and how wonderful it was she was giving it to her baby sister. The transition went well. Also we had a baby gate at her doorway so she couldn't escape in the middle of the night.

Yes, I did the same thing for my two year old when her sister was about to be born. I did it for her 2 year birthday (a month before her sister was due) so it was all about her and not associated with her sister kicking her out of her room. I told her that since she was two now she was a big girl and she was getting a big girl bed and a new big girl room! We made a really big deal about it and about her. We talked about it for several days or more beforehand and then when it was all set up she was really excited to be in it. It worked really well and she was really proud. And by the time her sister was born a month later, she didn't give it a second thought that her sister was in her old crib in her old room.

hi there
my advice is to borrow a crib for the new baby to use for the next year. It might not look just perfect, but that year goes so quickly and you'll be too busy to notice anyway. Taking an active toddler boy out of a crib is risky - even if they can climb out, they don't get out nearly as often as they do a bed. Especially if he is still napping. You could totally lose the nap, and if staying in the bed is an issue it can be very hard to have to close them into the room to "cry it out'. My 2 oldest boys are 19m apart and I had to put them together so the room had 2 cribs and it worked out great. Once you put them in a bed, you can't look back, either. My third boy is now 2y 8m and happily sleeping in his crib, but there are days when those good naps would never happen if he could get out.
Good luck!!!! :)

We went through this twice. Both of our boys were transitioned around the age of 2 or under. We started them out with the mattress on the floor, just to get comfortable with the idea. We made a big deal of it...we had them help us dis-assemble their cribs with us and we made it very exciting. We purchased new bedding...comforter and sheets. Something that they would enjoy...outer space and sports related. They each got a new stuffed animal to sleep with.
This was one reason why I started up a business selling such items, because I knew that it was a tough thing to get through for toddlers and parents.
Good luck...the moral is to just make their room fun to stay in, safe and comfortable. We spent a little extra time putting them to sleep at night for a short time as well...reading books, etc.
raelynn
www.kidzcomfort.com

Congrats!
When I was expecting my second (they are 2 yr 8 mo apart), my pediatrician suggested allowing 3 months for the transition before another new transition would happen (ie baby). So, we did the bed about six months before baby and got rid of the binky about 3 months before baby...so as to allow for the three month adjustment periods. She was 25 months at the time of the bed and it went really well. Plus since you're home from school now, I wouldn't wait. Do it in August so he (and you!) have time to adjust before school starts up again.

I too agree with picking out the bedding. I also think since you are moving to a new room, you should do it with him. Let him help move smaller toys, while dad sets up the bed and you put on the sheets. Make it a family thing and really talk it up. I also would suggest doing it between nap time and bedtime. The first time trying to sleep in this new situation can be difficult. I think I'd rather have it be bedtime when he's likely more tired than naptime. We also set up rules about not getting out of bed but rather calling for Mommy or Daddy when you wake up. I would also consider putting a gate on his door or one of those doorknob things so he can't open it from the inside. Depends on how much it matters to you that he would get out and wander around upstairs. I wasn't that concerned at naptime because I'd be around somewhere nearby, but at night, you never know because you're asleep too.

Those are my thoughts and what worked for me. Hope you find something that works for you.