Moving 17 month old to toddler bed too soon?

Question

I want to get my daughter moved to a toddler bed in next few months. Problem is, now whenever I put her to bed in her crib she stands up and crys for about 2 mins before finally laying back down and falling asleep. Once they are in a bed, how do you get them to stay there? I see her jumping right out and running to the door and crying. Or some nights even playing. What were some things you've done. How do you know when they are ready?

Answer 1

That is a good point. Staying in bed is a good sign to know that they are ready. You can buy the toddler bed and try it. I would keep the crib up as well until you know that he will stay put.

Answer 2

Well, for me I just started my baby in a toddler bed when she was 2. I needed the crib because the baby was too mig for the bassinet. So I put her in her toddler bed, and if I heard her get up, I would go get her immediately and put her right back into her bed, no extra talking or anything, I would just pick her up and lay her back down. Well the first night I tried this, I put her back into her bed 8 times before she finally went to sleep. It was hard but I was consistent. Now when I say her down she doesn't get up unless she has to go to the bathroom.  

Answer 3

My oldest son was faithful in bedtime, he was barely over a year when he got his "big boy bed" and never failed to trot up the stairs and head straight for it. He picked out a cute firetruck bed, and although I worried he'd play more than sleep, I allowed him to choose. But, it worked like a charm, he'd sleep willingly every night, but when he woke in the morning he'd stay in bed and "drive" til I came in to get him! My oldest daughter was a climber so I tried to wait a bit longer. I lowered the bed as much as possible, kept the rails up all the way, and she still managed to pull her chubby bum up and over, landing head first on the hard wood floor... So, at 1 1/2, she got her "princess bed." Surprisingly, she did rather well with me sitting on her bed for stories and prayers, and then I'd stand in the doorway for a few minutes to make sure she was settled. My youngest son was a nightmare to sleep, from day one! He woke every hour, religiously, and only slept in his baby carrier in the playpen, never would lay down in a crib. He was a terror to get to stay in bed, we even purchased a crib tent, which velcros and ties to the top of the crib, with a zippered opening to get him in/out. He was Houdini, and managed to get out! Getting a cool new bed and rooming with his big brother barely helped, it still took many trips back into the bed before he'd finally crash. He's almost 4 now, and has only recently begun to sleep through the night. My youngest daughter was a dainty lil thing, and the 'baby', so she kept her crib until she turned 2. She loved being a big girl, and was exstatic over her pink Dora bed, and has rarely gotten out of it since.

Honestly, each child will be different, but if she is trying to climb out or dreads the crib, you can try placing the mattress on the floor to see how well she does with that. It may take some getting used to, but I think most all kids delight in becoming a "big kid."  If you are required to return to her room repeatedly to put her back in bed, you can put a baby gate up in her door way to keep her safe, and stand in the door way to comfort her. She'll learn you're still there and available if she needs you. Keeping a bed time routine will definitely help, too!  

Answer 4

I have 23 month old twins who decided to jump from their cribs so I had no choice. It takes me about three hours to get them to go to sleep...although I don't know if it is because they have a buddy to keep them company. However, my son, now 17 years old, was real bad too and would stand at the gate to his room (I had to gate him in to keep him in his room) and would cry so much he would vomit. It took MANY long nights with him too. My two other daughters (now 12 and 14) took to a big girl bed real well. Depends on your children. Personally, I would never change my kids to a big girl bed unless they are jumping or climbing out of the crib. I think they feel comfy and secure in their crib and some transition poorly to a big bed. Oh...by the way...when they learn to climb the gate out of the room...then you have to stack several gates to try to keep them in.....I haven't had sleep for SOOOOOO many nights and days as the twins don't take naps well now either. Good luck! I hope you have better luck than me!!!

Answer 5

I never really had a problem with my girls. I moved them into their toddler beds when they were around 22 months. Their crib converts to a toddler bed so it wasn't really an adjustment for them. It was the same bed just with an open side. They loved not being in a crib anymore. At night as soon as they got up I would put them right back to bed. I think that if you have the crib and the toddler bed together that is going to be confusing to her. Maybe the crib needs to be dissembled (if at all possible) or moved to another room until she gets used to the fact she's going into a toddler bed. But what worked for me is as soon as they leave the bed you put them right back, even if you have to do it ten times in one night. And since you want her to sleep in her toddler bed then thats it she should not be put back in her crib anymore. That will set the process back. Be consistent and she will get the drift that the toddler bed is where she sleeps now. God Bless and good luck some kids do better with this than others.