Big Kid Bed.. How Old?

My son will be 2 in December and we have already put him in a big boy bed(twin). He loves it!!! We put a rail up just in case and just have the box springs and mattress sitting on the floor. He loves being able to get in bed by himself. I would say you just have to start talking to her about being a big girl...and her cool big girl bed with cool girlie sheets and things. They seem to get excited about it!

I think you are on to something with the bed, but maybe go farther, start to decorate it for her with her help, make it her room, little by little move her stuff into after its all decorated and maybe she will want to move in there, find a way to make it fun, she is the big sister, and this is her special room :o)

I put my son in a toddler bed but by the time he was three he went into a bunk bed. It worked for us and the only time he fell out was when his brother pushed him.

Hi M.,
My 2 y/o just turned 2 last week. I have a 4 y/o who will be 5 in November... we put a larger bed in the 4 y/o bedroom just a couple months back and put the toddler bed in the room with the 2 y/o. She is still in a crib herself. My suggestion would be to buy a toddler bed,(maybe on craigs list or garage sale) put it in the 2 y/o bedroom and just as you said, let her get used to it, let her play on it and put her babies on it..with another one on the way, you don't want to make too many "big" changes in her life... she might regress when the baby comes along. so, take it slow, each child is different. Oh and i know you didn't ask about this but when our second child was born, i made a basket from the newborn baby to her big sister. I put books, crayons, some toys and made a card from the baby to her,saying how excited she was to have a big sister and couldn't wait to play with her. It seem to soften the 'blow' of there being another child. We gave it to our older daughter when she came to the hospital to see her little sister for the first time! just a thought it worked wonders for my older girl ad welcomes her sister with open arms!! Good luck!

I moved my daughter into a big kid bed a little before she was 2 because we had another baby. While I was pregnant we had the big girl bed in her room and we would always ask her which bed she wanted to sleep in. She usually chose the crib, but eventually was interested enough to sleep in the bed at nap time and eventually bed time. One thing that really helped was we got her a pillow she loved with a Dora pillow case (she's a dora fanatic) and she could only use the pillow on the big girl bed. I really think that is what convinced her to sleep on it. But I would say take it slow and don't rush her if you don't have to. Make it her idea. Good luck!

When transitioning both of my children from crib to toddler bed (and then to big kid bed) we did follow the 'two bed' approach and it worked wonderfully. Each night I would give my child the choice of where he/she wanted to sleep. They would sometimes go back and forth, but after about two weeks they were firmly rooted in their new bigger bed and I was able to remove the smaller one with no issues.

As far as what age to move her, that is entirely up to you and her as long as she isn't climbing out of her crib. I moved my kids to toddler beds at about 18 months (so they wouldn't be attached to it when the new baby came) and then to a twin bed at about 3 1/2 years. Worked very well for us.

What's the rush? My first went at 2 because I had my second when she was 22 mos. We also used a co-sleeper for the first few months. She was a fairly easy transition. We had a decent sized room, so we set up the bed and left the crib in there so she would get used to it. My second was a crazy person. We had to crib tent him at 18 mos because he would not stay in bed (We tried EVERYTHING!) So, he wasn't ready to move until he was almost 3 and that was also because we had a new baby. As for my 3rd, we are in no rush(no more babies to speed up the process!) he's only 16 mos but We will probably move him closer to 3 so keeping hm in bed is less of a battle. At 3, they can understand rules much better than at 2. Of course, every child is different and you'll know what you baby is capable of. HTH

A.

I doubt she'd ask to move to another room, but when you move her is up to you. What are you comfortable with? What is your daughter comfortable with?
My 2 year old is still in his crib. I have tried moving him to a big boy bed once, and it was AWFUL. We will try again in several months. Maybe!
Anyway, it sounds like you won't need your daughter's crib for a while, so I think you could move her any time before then...just make sure that you leave enough time between the time you move her and when you give it to the new baby, so she doesn't associate the baby with the move and resent the baby for "taking" her bed.
As far as do you move her to the new room, or move her into her new bed first, I am not sure. I tried doing both at once with my son, and that may have been why he had such a hard time with the big boy bed. So we have him in his new room, in his crib, and the big boy bed is our next step.
Good luck!

I don't think you need to feel rushed to move her to a big kid bed. It might be a good idea to do it a couple of months before the baby comes so she doesn't think the baby is taking her bed, but you have until june. I wouldn't rush it. If you wanted to buy the bed it may not be a bad idea but i don't think you need to rush on that either. When we switched my little boy to a bed, he was so excited. He did want to sleep in it. You do what you feel is best for her and for you.

I wouldn't try to start them to young. I put my first in a big girl bed at 18 months. One of the problems was she would not stay in bed and come out all the time. So I would put her in the playpen and she would go right to sleep. I think it was more of a comfort to her. I did have a toddler bed and then she slept in the playpen. Some nights she would decide to sleep in the big girl bed. Then she was just old enough that she transitioned well. I think i'm going to keep my second child in the crib maybe even until three. I've decided why rush it. Of course every kid is different.

My doctor told me, why change something that's working. Her philosophy is that you don't have to (you can if you want to) change to a toddler bed until the child is potty trained and might need to go in the night.
Otherwise, it's kinda of nice having them in a crib. My friend put the bed up in the room by her baby's crib. He turned two a couple of months ago. The other night, he asked to sleep in the big boy bed. He's sleeping there great now, cause it was his idea. He stays there the whole night.
So there's our experiences.

Well, our kids all went to big kid beds really early in most people's opinions. My first went to a twin bed on the floor at 18 months because we moved into a new house, and she moved into a new room, and we were expecting again and would need the crib in another 6 months. We did her that way because we were changing so much already, we just wanted to do it all at once. She did extremely well with it and loved the new "freedom" that came with being able to wake up in the morning and play or read books instead of being "trapped" in her crib. My twin boys went to big kid beds at 15 months because we moved again (out of state this time) and didn't want to take two cribs with us, so when we got where we were going, we just moved them right into twin beds on the floor. We probably would have waited a little longer with them except that we already happened to be making big changes again. With my fourth, we put her in a big kid bed at just over 12 months. Basically as soon as she was comfortable climbing up on her brothers' twin mattress and box springs on the floor and then back off again with no trouble. She now sleeps on just the mattress on the floor (no box springs, no frame) and absolutely loves it. At 12 months, I don't think my first would have done as well.

So I guess I'm saying that it really depends on the child. My youngest always wants to do everything her older siblings are doing and thinks she's just as big and capable as they are. It's not surprising she likes her "big girl bed" better. With that said, I have a friend who still puts her 3 1/2 year old to bed in a crib. He can climb in and out of it even but she likes him contained there. He's very small for his age, so I don't know if maybe the crib is more comfortable? But she's sticking with what's been working. You have a good opportunity to change her over right now if you're redecorating anyway and have a baby on the way. You can even have her help you pick the bedding and room decor so she feels more like it's "her" place. I don't think she'll actually ask you to sleep there unless you make it a point that it's going to be "her" room and "her" bed. Anyway... do whatever you feel is right and what you feel she's comfortable with. My only suggestion would be not to wait until the last minute and you need the crib next week before doing it. Make sure the baby's new area is clear at least a few weeks if not longer before you need it so your daughter doesn't feel displaced. Good luck and congrats on baby #2!

I have four children. The first 3 did not move into their big bed until they were 3. I am a big believer in the power of sleep. Unless your friends have vounteered to come at bed time and at nap time to insure your child gets the sleep they need I would not listen to them. It is much harder to go in and put them back in their bed several times then to put them in their crib and tell them they need to go to sleep once. PLUS you need extra sleep now. Do not discount yourself in this. Growing a baby is a hard job.

My last one we did move at 2, but she was more mature and ready to stay in her bed with out an issue.

Each child is different. You shouldn't listen to people trying to tell you when your child is ready for something. You know your child best and what they are ready for. Trust your instincts. My kids have all been different ages when they transitioned into big kid beds. It should be an exciting thing that makes them feel special, whenever they are ready. Sometimes I wish mine would have stayed in the crib longer. If she is comfortable there, don't rush it. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

Mine are 2 years 2 months apart. I moved my son into a kid bed before my daughter was born and it worked out great he got use to it before the baby came. At that age they start to climb out of the cribs anyways, so instead of them getting hurt get them in a big kids bed with bars or low to the ground. They even have cute bed stuff also. Get her excited and have her help in decorate the new room.

You can do one of 2 things. Keep your daughter in her crib until you feel it absolutely necessary to move her to her big girl bed, which is completely okay and as many people I talked to they kept us in our cribs as long as they could.

Or my philosophy is if they can walk steady they can have a big bed, I got tired of the crib, and with my last 2 potty trained, there is no way to keep them in a crib. Anyway, so I moved my kids around 15 months, when they could walk.

Sorry to say, but your daughter is not going to ask for a big bed unless she sees that one of her friends has a big bed, anyway, you need to get excited if you want her to move to a big bed, because it is a big step for her. But it is your choice, and don't let your friends push you into something you are not ready for. It doesn't make you a bad mom to want to keep your daughter in her crib as long as you can. You are lucky because you don't have to fight the battle of keeping her in her bed :)

I wouldn't rush it. I felt a little pressure to trasition my 2 yr. old to a big boy bed becuase I was expecting my second child (22 months between them)and because it seemed everyone had their kid in a bed at 2 or before. My child loved his crib, never climbed out of it, so we didn't switch to a big boy bed until a few months after his 3rd b-day. He did really well with the adjustment and I wonder if it was because he was a little bit older? I used a bassinet and then bought a great used crib for $60 for baby #2 so it didn't add any pressure.

As you know, every child is different. If your child likes her crib, and climbing out isn't an issue, I'd suggest waiting (esp. since you have the co-sleeper, which will by you a few months.) May is still a ways away, and who knows, maybe she will be ready by then! Good luck!

(By the way, my pediatrician also said kids are usually developmentally ready to go to a bed between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2).

Do it when you feel comfortable doing it. A lot of kids will start climbing out of bed when they are moved out of the crib, and then you have to sleep train all over again -- at least we had to. If you are worried about her climbing out of the crib, you could always use a crib tent. My friend did that for her little boy, and it worked for quite a while. The kids can see out of the tent, but they can't climb out of the crib because the zipper is on the outside of the tent. It's easy to use and a good way to not have to transition to a big bed if you're not ready. Just an idea, but don't rush into something you aren't ready for yet.

Go ahead and decorate her new room and buy the big kids bed. Make it all fancy and pretty, but put her crib in the room too. A new room is a big change. She will feel more secure having something familiar there at first and having the other bed in the room will help her get used to it. It should only take a couple months of having both beds in the same room for her to want to sleep in it.

What will also help is to have he help you decorate her new room. I know it sounds like a pain, but our son was just about 2 when we moved to our current house and he loved the fact that he got to help us paint him room. He even help pick the color and decorations. It made him feel like it was special and just for him.

I moved my son to a big bed just before he turned 3. He didn't ever climb out of his crib and he was comfortable there so I didn't see the need to rush him to grow up. I would just leave a little time between when she moves to a bed and the baby takes the crib so that she doesn't get mad and feel like she had to move so the baby could have her crib.

I was due with #2 in May. DS #1 was 20 months when I sort of freaked about the crib issue. I didn't want #1 to think the baby was stealing his crib. I tried turning it into a toddler bed, but he got up all night long for over a week. Finally I got too tired and put the side back on the crib. Then I went out and bought another crib at a yard sale for $50.
I don't remember exactly when, but we ended up with an extra queen bed. We put it in DS #1's new big-boy room. When I went to put him to bed that night, I saw him eyeing this huge bed. So I asked him if he wanted to sleep in that bed instead. He said yes, and that was it. And I ended up with an extra crib in the closet.
9 months is a looong time in their lives. I think one month is enough to get used to a change, like a new room or a new bed. I would talk to your daughter about her new big girl room. Work on getting it ready and decorated, and put a twin bed in it. It will be extra work for you, but if you move her crib into her big girl room when it's done, she may just ask to make the switch!

I have never heard of kids asking to get into a big kid bed. But since you have a long wait before the second baby I wouldn't rush it either.
Typically if she is still small enough for the crib, still isn't even attempting to climb out I would give her some more time.
I moved my daughter when she was 27 mos and my son when he was 25 mos or somewhere close to that. For my son it was due to him wanting to climb, my daughter it was because I was pregnant. My daughter transititioned just fine and she was really attached to her crib. I started her with a daybed with a bedrail too so it felt more secure for her. Then when my son moved into a big boy bed we took down the crib and got them both twin beds.

I would have her completely used to a big girl bed before the baby comes though, so in case you do need the crib, like for naps when a cosleeper isn't a good idea, then it isn't an issue then. Getting your new baby used to the crib for naps will save you when you transition too!! :) So as a just in case about six months before the baby I would think of moving her out of the crib.

Go get a twin bed too, not a toddler. The toddler beds are cute, but they outgrow them too fast and a waste of money. With a twin they can have it a lot longer.

There is no exact answer...you do what you feel comfortable with and you know your child and continue to learn about your child. I have chosen to put all my girls in a twin bed with gaurd rails once they turn 2. I mean birthday hits and the big bed it is! Crib goes down that same day. It has really worked for us.

I had my 2nd in June of 2006. Luckily, a friend gave me good advice to get a new room ready for my then 2 year old so that he wouldn't feel "pushed out" of his old nursery. I prepped my 2 year old with the idea of getting a new "big boy" bed and we decorated his new room with baseball decor. When the baby came along my 2 year old was over the old room and happily sleepy and excited about his new room. We talked about the baby sleeping in the nursery because that's where babies go. Of course, the baby slept in my room for the first 10 months but it just gave us extra time to make the transition.

My advice is not to worry about your friends' pressure. You know your kiddo. I absolutely swear by waiting until she is ready. My son was in a crib at 2.5, and then he started getting interested in our neighbor's child's toddler bed. He actually fell asleep in it. Then he started climbing into the display toddler bed at Pottery Barn. This is when we asked if he wanted a big boy bed and his answer was a resounding "yes!" We bought the bed that week, he slept in it the first night and every night since. We have never had a problem with him "popping up" all night as I know some toddlers will. If you do it too soon you may have a wandering kid who will not stay in bed. My daughter will be 2 tomorrow and is still in a crib. She will move on when she is ready. Just make sure you do have a month or two in between moving her, and putting baby in "her" crib so she does not feel displaced. Congrats and good luck!

Don't rush it! I moved 2 of my 4 into big beds when the turned 3. The other two are only 1 years old. There is no hurry and it is really nice to have them in cribs where you know they are safe and happy!

T.

M.
Walmart and Target both have a wonderful toddler bed that might make the transition a little easier. They are low to the floor and smaller verisions of a twin bed and not quite so overwhelming and maybe she would just find herself curious enough to try and lay in it at least. You might also try buying her a day bed with some girly ribbons on the frame or something if that is the kind of little girl she is. I dont see any reason that you should feel pressured to move her but you also dont want the fight while you have a new sibling that needs the room if she resists the move when it is time. Good luck

If you are going to move rooms then I would get a big kid bed for her. We did this with our second and he never even thought about his crib again since the move was a transition anyway but if you are not going to change her room or will be able to leave her in the nursery for longer and she is not climbing out of the crib I would leave her. We moved our youngest when she was 3 and was finally sleeping through the night. The excitement of a big girl bed lasted about 2 weeks and we are now back to her waking up every night and climbing in with us and I wish we still had the crib.

I moved all three of my kids to big beds before they were two. I found this transition really easy- I think it gets harder as they get older. Start out by having her nap in the bed. Then, if she seems to take to it then try the nightime thing. Once she can do it and likes it, then take the crib out asap so she won't regress.

Here's some issues to be aware of that take a little patience in the process (that, in my opinion are better the deal with now then when a new baby has entered her life and thrown her for a loop already). First, you need to have a rail to make sure she doesn't fall out. The best is to put the bed against a wall and have the rail on the other side. If have have a headboard and footboard, or maybe a daybed, still do the rail. Putting the mattress on the floor encourages too much getting out of bed, which brings me to my next issue.....

Your baby is going to realize at some point that she can get out of bed on her own. This may be immediate or may take months! I got lucky with my last one (will be two in December) that she didn't figure it out until the crib was a distant memory. This will be annoying to have the put her back in bed, or you may find her napping on the floor sometimes. I think this is okay! She will soon realize that her bed is so much more comfortable! This should not take more than a week or so! It's just a phase, like potty training, that takes patience and consistency. But, I really think that your daughter will be happier and feel like a big girl in her big bed.

In the end, it's really what your daughter is ready for! Give it a try, but don't push it. I have found the bed transition super easy for all three of mine (two of which I was pregnant as well), but it may not be so for every kid. Either way, it's not a big deal so do what's right for you and your family, not because of peer pressure from friends.

We didn't move our kids to big kid beds (twin beds) until they were 3 or almost 3. They loved that security, and I loved that they weren't wandering the room (or the halls) at the age of 2. Our first 2 were only 1 1/2 years apart, and of course I wasn't going to make an 18 month old get out of a crib yet- we had to get 2 cribs (used worked great). Then, we had our 2nd in a pack and play for the first 8 months (another story, but he slept fine). Your co-sleeper would be great for the early stages and then you could even use a pack and play for several months after that to make the transition time a little longer for your 1st.
HTH! :)