What methods have helped you keep your toddler in when he/she has learned to climb out of crib?
Baby Bedding
keri f asked:
My two yr old just started climbing out of crib, and I am going to change his crib to a toddler bed tonite, but I wanted to know from parents, how they kept there kid in bed for nap and bedtime? What methods worked w/ your kids? Thanks!
Vivian
My two yr old just started climbing out of crib, and I am going to change his crib to a toddler bed tonite, but I wanted to know from parents, how they kept there kid in bed for nap and bedtime? What methods worked w/ your kids? Thanks!
Vivian
March 14th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Dora
At two, he has no business still being in a crib. My son is 16 months, and I am seriously thinking about putting him in a toddler bed.
It will probably be more of a challenge for you to keep him in the bed than crib, but you have to be stern and let him know that when you say bedtime he needs to stay in bed.
Emrobs- what does it say about you since you’re pushing your son out of his bed only because you’re having another baby. If you are so for a late transition quit being cheap and buy another crib!
March 16th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Phyllis
when my son was a baby 18 years ago i put him into a toddle bed i put a night light up a stuffed animal of his choice and a gait so i could hear him and he could also hear me it took about a week but it worked out fine
March 17th, 2009 at 4:38 am
Arnold
You’re lucky he waited until 2! We took our son out and since his crib supposedly turned into a toddler bed we tried that until he started jumping off of it. We placed his mattress on the floor with a baby gate across the door since his room was baby proof. He knew he’d get in big trouble if he climbed the gate so he’d stay in his room.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Dale
I couldn’t disagree MORE with mochachreme! Pediatricians all agree that the crib to bed transition can happen anytime up to the age of 3!!! I think that a lot of mom’s push the bed too early myself. However, when your kid starts showing signs of readiness(like crawling out of the crib), then it’s time for that child….each child is different and on a different schedule.
That being said, we just moved our son to a twin bed recently. He’s 2 and we’ve got another baby due in December so I need the crib. I gotta say, he’d still be in the crib if it weren’t for the new baby! We first started by making a big deal about his “big boy” bed. He went with us to pick it out, we talked about it while we waited for it to be delivered, when it arrived he helped put sheets on….basically, non-stop discussion about it and he was very excited.
We then started with naps, which was a total disaster! He kept jumping, hopping down, running around. I kept putting him back in and in my no-nonsense voice told him to go to sleep….we did this for a week and it wasn’t working. So we switched to naps in the crib and big boy bed at night. The first 4 nights, I slept in the next room and I did have to keep putting him in bed at the beginning, but then he just got tired and started staying. It just took being consistent and letting him know that it was not play time. I too asked about methods and there really isn’t one magic way…just be consistent! It also helped to not do a top sheet or pillow…introduce those a little later. Good luck!
March 18th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Vincent
They will get out a thousand times, but you simple have to be consistent. Here is a list of things that help:
When the child gets out of bed, have them return on their own.
Do Not let them into your bed, if they are ill or have a nightmare sleep in their room.
When they remain in bed, praise them and tell everyone they come in contact how big they are getting.
Introduce a night light, cd player with soft music or other bedtime calming influence.
Start with nap time, and sit beside their bed in a chair or on the floor and read a book to them. Leave the room after they are settled but not quite asleep. They need to learn to fall asleep alone.