When should I transfer my son from a crib to a toddler bed?

Question

My son is 1 yr. old. I was just wondering when I should transfer him to a toddler bed from his crib. He is fine in it right now he doesn't try to climb out or anything. Thanks (:

Answer 1

Kids will do the weirdest things with beds and cribs. My parents transitioned me to a bed when I was 2 and my brother was born. They needed the crib for him. I put up a fight and refused to sleep in the bed. Since the crib was being used, I insisted on sleeping in the bathtub.

After a few days they went and bought a 2nd crib for me and my first night in the crib I climbed out and slept in the bed.

If he starts climbing out of his crib, that is an indication he could use a toddler bed. If he is still sleeping happily in his crib by the time he is 2 1/2 - 3, transition him to a bed (although I think he will probably start climbing out much sooner, once he realizes he can.)

Be prepared for some bizzare transition stories though.

You can buy twin beds that aren't as big as regular twin, but aren't as small as a toddler bed, and kids can use them until they are about 11.

Answer 2

That is really dependent upon the child. I usually transfer to a toddler bed when they are climbing out of bed or getting close too. My 4 year old would still be in a crib though if I let him...lol. He feels safe in the crib. My theory is leave them in the crib as long as it is safe as in they are not climbing out and they are comfortable in there, at least you have some control.  Some kids are bigger than others and need more room.

Answer 3

18-24 months unless they are learning to climb out of the crib then you may have to do it sooner but if they are ok in the crib then they are usually fine until the 18-24 month mark.  

Answer 4

If he will stay in the toddler bed you can do it now.  Just make sure if you do you put a gate up in his bedroom door incase he would wake up and not wake you up.  You will have the added assurance he isn't getting into things or getting hurt etc.  But I would probably wait till 18 mos.  I never wanted to keep my daughter in the crib for long because I was afraid when it was time to switch to a big girl bed she wouldn't stay in it.  Too each their own.

Answer 5

My oldest son is 3 - at about 22 months he started climbing out of his crib so we got him a toddler bed (well its not a toddler bed but a twin bed with a frame thats low to the ground).  My other son is 13 months and i feel more comfortable with him sleeping in a crib - i dont think they are ready for one at that age.  We are gonna wait till he starts climbing out like we did our older son.  Just make sure that when you do put him in a toddler bed that you get down to his level and check the house for things that he could do while you are sleeping that could put him in danger.  The new found freedom can get them into some trouble - believe me I know!!

Answer 6

try when he's about 2, but make it a small bed, and put a little fence thing on the side (just so then he won't fall off. and don't worry-- they sell them, you don't have to built it =] ). for my little sister, her crib was breaking, and we ended up just using the mattress from her crib! she got really attached, though, and slept there until she was about 6!

hope that helps =]

Answer 7

My daughter never tried to climb out of her crib...so if you wait for that then you may never get one! :)

My daughter was two...I just felt she was old enough.  I got the toddler bed...that you use the crib mattress in.  It was a PROUD moment for her.  SO cute.  She said, hesitantly, "Can I sit on it?"  I'm like, "Well, yes, honey...it's your bed, you can even <gasp> SLEEP on it."  What a sweetie!!  I think since he's fine in it for now and isn't trying to climb out it might be cool to wait until he's around two (that's when they're considered a toddler, after all) so he'll "know" more about what's happening/the significance of it and that way he'll get to feel special for getting a big kid bed! :)

Good Luck!

Answer 8

With my son, I put him in a bed as soon as he started climbing out of his crib, that was at about 2.

My daughter, however, is now 3 1/2 and still sleeps in her crib.  She has never attempted to climb out, and she is very little so still fits in it beutifully.  We have just purchased her bed, so she will be transferring her very soon, but we are going to have to put a mechanism on her door so she can't get out of her room!!  She wouldn't come and get us, she'd get up to no good, I know it!

Answer 9

Honestly, I think toddler beds are a waste of money because they are small and are not built strong (because they are not meant to be used for more than a year or two).

He can stay in the crib for now, but when he starts to climb or tries to get out, or is just getting big for it, it's time to move him. I would suggest going into a standard twin bed. Put one side up against the wall with a railing on it (so he won't fall off) and put a taller railing on the other side so he won't roll off. Then put a few pillows on the floor just in case. I moved from the crib to a standard twin at 16 months because I was climbing, and I used that twin bed up until last fall (I was 16) when I built a loft in my room to take to college with me.

Answer 10

I always heard about 2 or when they can climb out. As long as they can't get our there is no reason to rush it.