Transitioning to toddler bed?

Well now that Jenna has been climbing out of her crib for the past week (God help me since now nap time stinks since I out her in and 5 seconds later I hear her jump out open the door and say "i'm out mama"). This morning I was putting away laundry and I thought she was napping and I heard noises in her room-so I peeked in and she was dressed in her princess play clothes complete with high heels and a feather boa-I had to laugh!

Anyway-her crib converts but did you do anything special for the transition to big girl bed?

Re: Transitioning to toddler bed?

Hi Danielle,

I am picturing Jenna all dressed up, lol...

Anyway, when we converted Michael to his toddler bed, I went out and bought special bedding - one's I knew he'd love - Elmo playing ball and set up the bed. Then we brought Michael in to see and he was so excited!!! And from that night on, he has slept so much better. We did tell him that we were going to change his crib to a big boy bed soon to prepare him.

I have a bed rail on his bed and leave the end of his bed a little open incase he wants out, but he NEVER ever gets out until we come and take the railing off.

I have to say that for us, the transition went really well...

Re: Transitioning to toddler bed?

Thanks Lauren-I am hoping she still sleeps her 12 hour nights!!!! I think i'm more afraid of the transition even though she can get out now whenever she wants anyway.

Re: Transitioning to toddler bed?

A gate at the doorway is a must for me. Till they're a little older, I think we took it off the door around 3 and felt comfortable that he wouldnt be roaming.

Re: Transitioning to toddler bed?

You saw Andrew's bed in his room, right? Obiously we got him a toddler bed because Lauren needed the crib, even though we have a convertible crib. I bought him separates for it - the sheet, quilt, a light blanket, etc. Even though the toddler bed is a crib size, I didn't need the bumpers, diaper stacker, etc. Oh, and we have a pressurized gate in his door frame - it allows us to open and close the door, but he can't get out and wander, which at night we would most likely hear him because our room is right across the hall, but it helps him learn when he's in his room for hte night, he can't get out and must go to sleep!

Re: Transitioning to toddler bed?

We switched Jack over a few months ok and things have been great. We had a few nights of him sleeping next to it on the floor but now he is always sleeping in it.

The video monitor helped me alot and a nightlight helped him out alot since his door is shut.

Re: Transitioning to toddler bed?

We have a convertible crib/bed. When I took the side off, DS kept complaining the "Daddy broke the bed!" I had him "help" me "break" the bed, so it wasn't a big surprise for him. When we put him to sleep in it, he didn't have any transition problems. For several months, he also didn't get out of the bed until we got him. Of course, now he's 3.5, so he wanders around his room. Sometimes, when he hears the door open, he'll run back into bed , as though he was there all the time...