When should we transition our son into a bed?

Question

We are thinking of trying for another baby. My son would be 18 months if I got pregnant now. Is that old enough to get him into a "big boy" bed?

Answer 1

My son turned 2 a month before my daughter was born.  We moved him to a toddler bed when he was 20 months old or so to give him a chance to get used to it.  I think 18 months old is a fine age to try, just keep in mind that they aren't stuck in there like they are in a crib, so he'll probably get up pretty often at first.  Good luck!

Answer 2

I would wait until he is around 2. My son was 2 when we moved him and he did fine! 18 months is a little early and you might find your little one wondering around the house!!! Hope that helps!!

Answer 3

We switched my son at around 18 months, and he did fine. Although, it bothered me that he might be wandering around in the middle of the night alone, he has always just come and woke my fiance or I up. But definitely make it a big deal about his big boy bed...like it's the coolest thing ever and he'll follow your lead. My son does, he's actuall about 21 months now and he's in a twin bed (w/a rail) and loves it...most of the time :) Good luck!! :)

Answer 4

Well, my son is 18 months old and he's not ready for a big boy bed yet.  But I've heard of other parents switching out to a toddler bed at 12 months, so I guess it really depends on your & his comfortability.

If you go for it, I'd suggest proofing his room very well & using a baby gate at his door.

Answer 5

I'd keep him in his bed as long as possible.  When he starts to climb out.. it's time to transition to a bed.  

If your new baby will be in your bedroom in a bassinet.. then I would switch him over to a big boy bed just before baby is born.. or just after.  It can be a big brother reward..

Answer 6

Both of my daughters we transitioned into a toddler bed at about 20 months, because they were in danger of falling out of the crib (when they can put their foot over the rail it is a bad sign...)  I would say to wait until you know a new baby is coming, or you think he might get out of the crib, because bedtime with a crib is easier than a "big boy" bed, and if he wakes you don't have to worry about him "exploring."

When you do transition him, make the new bed a big deal for him.  Do your normal bedtime ritual, and if he gets out you put him back in with a minimum of interaction.  You may also want to gate him in his room so when he wakes up he is restricted to a safe area.

By the way, one of my daughters was an easy-to-bed baby, and she remains easy-to-bed with a toddler bed.  The other would scream and cry and throw a fit every night until she was exhausted, and she continued this in her toddler bed.  She's 4-1/2 now, in a big bed with a rail, but still has difficulty settling down to sleep - she uses anything under the sun to stay awake.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

Answer 7

That's a little bit young for a big boy bed. But you know, they have inexpensive toddler beds that are really cute and low to the ground. They run about $99 and I saw several at Babies R Us. You also use the same size mattress as the crib and it has rails around the head.

That might be the best option for you, to get him out of the crib but still help him feel safe. Plus if you keep up this pattern, you can reuse it later.

Answer 8

I would either do it before the baby got here, or a while after, after he got used to being a big brother. You wouldn't want to spring too many changes on him at once. I agree with waiting until he is about 2 though.