Transitioning My Toddler from a Crib to a Bed

I was afraid of exactly the same things so here's what I did. I totally child-proofed her room: covered all outlets, covered the power strip w/ a childproof thing, installed the dresser tip preventer, locked her closet door, put her garbage and diaper pail in the closet, and I leave a few soft toys out. Then I also leave her closet light on so there's a bit of light in the room. I close her bedroom door and have a monitor in the room. She does get out of bed and play before she goes to sleep but she always ends up in her bed and when she wakes up in the morning, she'll just play with her toys until I come get her. So it worked out well. Hope this info helps! Good luck!

I just changed my 20 month old daughters crib into a toddler day bed, she only had one bad nap day that I had to keep putting her back in, besides that I rely on the monitor to see if she is in bed or roaming around. Also I would start at night time instead of a nap and get her really worn out before you put her to bed. She has been so good. The first night I stayed with her for about 10 mintues, not looking at her, just sitting next to her bed, when I noticed her eyes drifiting I told her to close her eyes and stay in her bed. She has done so great! I am sure that your child understands you, don't under estimate having a simple conversation with her. Also we got her new sheets (just plain colored purple crib sheets, and a new bed skirt) and when ever anyone came over we made a big deal for her to show them her new big girl bed. Be patient and good luck! Let me know how it works out!
C.

We had to transition my daughter from a crib to a bed at that age because she was climbing out of the crib. First, we converted her crib to a toddler bed and my daughter hated it. By that time, she had figured out that our mattress was more comfortable than hers, and once she had the option to climb out, she wanted nothing more to do with the crib mattress.

So, we went out and picked out a twin bed and bedding (with her help) and made a big deal about her "big girl bed" and now she loves it. (Be sure to attach a crib rail to each open side so she doesn't fall out.) If she has trouble climbing into the bed, just set the mattresses on the floor without the bed frame.

You should assume that she WILL climb out of bed on her own, so be sure that the room is completely childproofed. Also, we bought a pressure-mounted gate for her doorway so she can't get out of her room at night.

Good luck!

we just put the crib mattress on the floor, in a corner, it is very low to the ground, and helps teach baby to climb in - we have a gate on the bedroom door, so the door stays open but the gate keeps them in - i'd take everything off the floor, except maybe stuffed animals, and put it all up on shelves, including any cords - then when she gets stronger get a toddler bed - good luck

peace,
richard

What we did and worked well for us is that we first had the bed in there with the crib for a little while, so he got used to it. When we tried the bed with the crib still in there, he didn't want the bed. So after a couple months we took the crib out, so the bed was the only choice. And he was fine with it by then, being used to the bed in there. Don't know how necessary that is, but that's what we did.
Then we had the first years gate in the doorway, so he could see out, but not get out.
We made the room as boring as possible, so the only things in there were his bed, his dresser and I think that's it. We took the bookshelf and books out. We let him have a couple toys in bed with him (what he wanted) once he was used to the bed, but in the beginning, we made it very boring for him, so he wouldn't really care to get up and play around. It was a pretty smooth transition for us doing it that way. Hope it helps and best wishes to you. :)

We had the same problem with our toddler when she was about 17 months old and she actually did climb out and fell on her side. My girlfriend had given me a crib tent and I put that up right after this happened. It's great on keeping her in her crib and she actually enjoys being "zipped in" at naptime and bedtime. I know that your toddler is getting toward that age where you have to start thinking about a toddler bed, but maybe in the meantime you can try the crib tent over her crib. Good luck!

I don't remember how old my son was but it was pretty much a seamless transition. Maybe because we just converted his crib to the toddler bed. His room was already child proofed, so I had no worries of him hurting himself. And I didn't have a problem with him getting up if he wanted to. Overall, I pretty much just did it. No real planning involved. He didn't/doesn't get out of the bed much and if/when he does, getting him to get back in the bed is fairly easy.

We used a crib tent just in case he tried to climb out and my loved being in his "tent" to sleep. Then we tried a toddle racecar bed. What a mistake (for my son at least) he thought it was a toy. So we went with a twin bed with no frame, just the matress and box spring, so it was closer to the ground. New Buzz lightyear sheets and a small blanket. The twin blanket he played with like it was a tent. We also bought a "tall" gate at Babies R Us that is great. We leave the door open and use a monitor. If we hear him at the gate we do not enter his room but kiss him and tell him to get back in bed and he does. We did child proof the room but decided to leave his books. It took about a week of stress to get him use to the idea but now he is fine.
Good Luck

I have two nephews (they are both 2 1/2) and both of thier mohters put a crib tent on their bed. It is mesh abd has a zipper opening. Neither one of them was ready to put their son in a bed, because they would never stay. Now the boys love thier tents and sleep safely all night! They got their tents at the right start www.rightstart.com

R.

U can get a crib tent, where u put it over the crib so they can't climb out.