What can I do to help my 17 month old not hate his toddler bed?

Question

Every night when we put him in his bed he screams/cries soooo hard, it breaks my heart. Other than that he NEVER cries. So, seeing him so upset almost kills my fiance and I. We have a gate across his room, we read him books, leave a night light on... sit with him. He really doesn't like it. Any other ideas? Thank you sooo much!

Answer 1

lay down with him and show him that the bed is okay. turn it into something fun to be in. make it a boat or a car and have him sail or drive himself alseep

Answer 2

My daughter did that for awhile when she was about 17 months old too (she's 22 months now).  What we did was leave the toddler bed in her room and I would give her the option of sleeping in the baby bed or the the big girl bed.  For a while she only wanted the crib but then she wanted to sleep in the "big girl bed" during nap time.  One night I gave her the option and she didn't answer so I put her in the toddler bed.  I sat and waited by her room door just incase she freaked out.  She didn't!!!!!  I found too that she needed more than one night light in her room.  She couldn't see enough to be comfortable (I'm guessing).  It really just takes alot of patience and don't push him too hard.  He may not be comfortable without the crib.  I hope that the transition goes better for you.

Answer 3

I had a friend that put her children from the crib to a full size bed

When they are toddler, she had room to laid down and read with them, until the fell asleep

They have sleepovers know, and the full size bed works great

Maybe looking in to a full size bed

I did not get a toddler bed, went right in a twin size bed

Answer 4

I am not sure, because I kept my kids in the crib until age 2, but maybe he feels insecure in that bed. Was he ok in the crib?  Would you consider putting the crib back up?

Maybe he still needs the restraints of the crib. If he was happy in the crib, I would honestly give it another try. I know it's backtracking, but if he doesn't feel safe, it's worth it

Answer 5

Do whatever it takes to make it seem SUPER SPECIAL!  Head to the store and let him pick out his very own sheets!  Let him decorate it in any way he chooses!  Make it something he loves:  let's say a car!  Right by his bed help him make little beds for his favorite cars right next to his!  Make a floor mat before he steps in (to wipe his muddy feet) and every night at bedtime make him honk the horn "beep! beep!" before he crawls in the sheets to hear his bedtime story!

Answer 6

You can sleep up there with him for a while and when he falls asleep, sneak out!

Answer 7

Put him back in his crib! What more does he have to do to get his parents to listen to him not being ready for a toddler bed! Just look at it from his point of view for one moment. If every night he is screaming, kicking, and crying maybe he is wondering "Why does no one listen to me? Why does mommy not understand me? What more do I have to do to tell mommy I am not ready for this?". Obviously, we can't do every little thing our children want us to do, children need firm boundaries. However, we have to pick and choose all of our battles, why pick a battle that potentially puts your son in more danger then being in his crib anyways? (children can and will climb or fall out out of the toddler bed and attempt to pull down toys, play with electrical outlet covers, push down the gates, and go into the kitchen for food). That's just some food for thought. Is it absolutely important that he moves into his toddler bed now and not 6 months from now? I would suggest stopping the insanity! If your household is miserable, bring back the crib!