Transitioning out of the crib - any words of wisdom?

Kmac-06

Yesterday we set up a toddler bed in DD's room. We've been talking about her new "big girl bed" for about a week. Her crib is still in her room too because we're planning that DD and #2 will eventually share a room.

She fell asleep on the way home last night from the ILs so we just put her in the crib. This morning when she woke up she was excited to see the new bed and wanted to play on it.

Tonight I plan to give her the choice of where she wants to sleep. I expect she will choose the new bed since she was excited about it. What are we in for and any words of advice? I'm nervous because she usually goes to bed so easily in her crib!

amwadas

We just transitioned to a bed for DD when we moved. I put her to bed each night and say she can not get out of bed until the sun wakes up, which usually works although this weekend I woke up to a toddler in my face at 5:30 in the morning! We put up a baby gate at first to trap her if you will, but in the end found we don't really need it. The first couple of nights she fell out (matress is on the floor as she refused to sleep with the rails up and we chose not to fight her on it) so that woke her up and us up. She also had a hard time finding her lovey in the middle of the night at first too. It took probably a good week until she slept through the night, but now is doing well. I think it depends on the kid as with anything, but hopefully keeping her routine the same and just putting her in her bed will work fine and you don't have an sleepless nights during the transition!

Pesky

Don't be surprised if it takes no time or some time.  DD took about 2-3 weeks to transition, with us sitting by her bed and gradually moving a chair over that time frame out the door until she was asleep.  DS had one bad night, then we got bedrails and he slept great ever since.  Consider something like a twilight turtle if you need it or a special bedtime buddy.

carrierrie

Consistency is key.  Keep talking it up during the day and how big she is and how proud you are of her.  As with any transition, it's rough, but will be behind you soon enough.  Good luck.

azuremama

DS was a little older, but we had no trouble at all.  He was a little afraid the first night (but he also switched rooms, so I think that had something to do with it), but I just stayed in his room about five minutes and that was it.  At first, I don't think he realized he could get out of bed, so that was kind of awesome.  Once he figured it out, he got up more, but it didn't take long for him to stay in bed.

Good luck!

Mrs.Greeko

Every kid is different.  Both mine did great initially.  Then about 2 months in, they started to test the boundaries and get out more.  But initially everything went great.  We had to disassemble the crib though cause they liked the idea of a bed until it was actually time to sleep then they wanted a crib, so you might end up having to take it down for awhile.

Kmac-06

Mrs.Greeko:

Every kid is different.  Both mine did great initially.  Then about 2 months in, they started to test the boundaries and get out more.  But initially everything went great.  We had to disassemble the crib though cause they liked the idea of a bed until it was actually time to sleep then they wanted a crib, so you might end up having to take it down for awhile.

This is what I am afraid of - she will start rebelling right about when baby #2 is due!

whitdog23

Kmac-06:

Mrs.Greeko:

Every kid is different.  Both mine did great initially.  Then about 2 months in, they started to test the boundaries and get out more.  But initially everything went great. 

This is what I am afraid of - she will start rebelling right about when baby #2 is due!

Unfortunately, this is happening to us now.  We moved DS at the beginning of December and I was dreading it because he slept so well in his crib but I decided to bite the bullet.  Shockingly, he didnt get out of his bed once for months.  He would call out from bed if he needed something (or sit in his bed and play in the mornings).  I joked with DH that DS clearly didnt understand that he could leave his bed.  I think because they nap on cots at school, its not a huge shock.  DS hasnt been scared nor has he fallen out, etc.

It was great.  Until last week.  Now EVERY time we try to get him to nap he jumps out of bed as soon as we leave the room and will not sleep at all.  We have had some horrible weekend afternoon/evenings because of no nap.  He's still good at night but naps are hard right now.  I figure (or at least hope) its a phase and pray it will pass!  GL!