My son is 2 1/2 and we recently switched his crib to a big boy bed. The first night went fine, but after that I could not get him to sleep in his bed at all. He refused and would want to sleep with Mommie and Daddy. This went on for 5 days and I realized we were getting into a bad habit fast. The next night he got up at 11:30 and my husband and I just kept taking him back to his bed, over and over and over. This went on for over 2 hours and we gave up and put him in bed with us. The next day we put his crib back together and life is fine again. Could it be he was not ready? He was not climbing out of his crib, I just thought it was time. Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.
My dd was in her big girl bed at 16 months...ds at 2 years. I had bed rails on either side that I think helped them to feel "boxed" in like a crib. Did you try that?
S.,
I also have a 2 1/2 year old son. We just switched him to a big boy bed a couple of months ago. He was also not really climbing out of his bed we just decided it was time. He also kept coming out of his room when we put him to bed. What we did was each night we would put him to bed and one of us would sit on the stairs outside his bedroom where he could not see us. The first time he came out we said, it's time for bed, you need to stay in your bed please and we'd put him back in bed. The second time he came out we said, time for bed and put him back in bed. The third and subsequent times he came out we'd simply put him back in bed.
The first couple of nights, one of us was up there for at least 1 - 2 hours each night. After that it took about an hour, then 30 minutes, then 10 minutes. It took about 9 days until he'd stay the first time.
I would just say that next time you do it, be consistent, be firm, and don't give up. It might frustrate you to no end but eventually, if you stick with it, he'll learn to stay in bed. The main thing is that when you start again do not take him into your bed ever. Once you do it once, it will take you that much longer to make him believe that you are serious.
Good luck!!
D.
I got my boy a toddler bed about 3 months before he turned two. He wasn't climbing out of his crib because he'd been sleeping in our bed for months. When I found a Thomas the Tank Engine toddler bed on craigslist, I bought it immediately. Granted, I'm not really the one to give advice on this since we fell into co-sleeping for so long, but Kellen loves his Thomas bed and sleeps in it almost every night. It works for us because I can lay down with him and read stories and cuddle until he falls asleep. He does still come to get in bed with us some times, but usually not until around 4 in the morning, and then he goes right back to sleep.
I guess my advice after all of this is to see if you can find a bed he really likes. He might want to spend time in it then.
IF he feels secure in the crib, just leave the side rail down so he can get out if he wants and leave him in the crib. Could be the big boy bed was too big for him and he felt lost in its size.
My thought on that, is to keep them in their crib until they start climbing out of it. Once they are able to climb out it becomes more of a safety issue, and that's when you'll need to switch to a toddler bed.
Can he climb out of his bed? If so, it is time for a toddler bed. I know it is tiresome. But if you are consisten, if can work. Try staying with him in his bed for a while. Not the greatest choice. But with patience, he should get it. You should cut out the sleeping with mommy and daddy before it gets worse. Changes are hard for children. But at the end, they get it.
My son got his bed when he was just over 2-1/2. He had not been climbing out and we had actually post poned it becuase he aunt, who lives out of town, really wanted him to have her sons Thomas Bed. (we are HUGE Thomas fans) There was an adjustment for sure but made sure to make a big deal about how cool it is and how when the sun comes up, he can come get us all by himself. he likes being a big boy, as long as there are nightlights in the hallways! He sleeps in it every night and radomly says I just love my new bed, Thanks Aunt Kim! Anyway, everyone is ready at their own pace. If he is venturing on that independence you can tell him that is part of being a big boy or that a little baby somewhere needs a crib. Good luck!
If he likes his crib and he's not climbing out of it, I would let him continue to sleep in it. My son is a little over 2 and still hasn't tried to climb out of his. I figure he'll let us know when he's ready. My friend's little boy is younger than my son and they can't keep him in his crib so they were forced to switch to a big boy bed. Don't sweat the small stuff.
With my three, I took down the crib at about 15 to 18 months. As with most things, the earlier the better.
I would let him stay in his crib; he seems comfortable there and showed quite clearly he wasn't comfortable in the bigger bed. I don't believe that allowing him to go back to his crib will make him think you aren't the boss or that he can control you. He's just telling you in the only way he knows how that he feels good sleeping in his crib; doesn't mean he's a baby or you're a bad mom for allowing him to stay there. He's just not ready, momma. Don't feel like because he's reached a certain age, he "should" be doing something. He's happy in his crib, you're happy that he's not interrupting your sleep all night and I'm sure your 7 month old is happy to have a well rested mommy and daddy. Try the big boy bed again later.
Good luck! :)
We just had this talk with our doctor this morning. She said to leave them in the crib until they climb out. It is more secure for them and for you.
