Trying to Transition 2 Year Old to Big Girl Bed

My daughter is 17 now. But I didn't want to buy a series of beds from "small" to "large" when she came out of her crib. We bought a quality, full (double) sized bed for her, but set the box spring and mattress on the floor. If she fell off, she didn't fall far. It's the bed she still has, and will probably carry off to her first apartment. The same can be done with a twin. Good luck! K.

I have a 3 year old daughter. We had the same problem a year ago. My sister-in-law gave us a trundle daybed and we bought a little step stool. We put a side bar up. She loves the bed because it is big enough that she can put all her dolls in the bed with her and also if she has a friend over the pull out bed is great. Good luck

I did a full size bed for my son. Just because he's a big boy and I didn't want to have to buy a new bed for him in a couple of years. Plus this way he has less of a chance of rolling out. Also I would wait to move her into her new bed until you move. Do it all at one time. New room, new home, new state new bed.
I'm having a new baby next month and I moved my son in January. He is still trying to get used to staying in the bed and not getting out to come sleep with us. It's a hard transition. I think I would wait, because if she starts it here, then you move, you may have to start all over again once you get there.
Good Luck!

You need read no further, everyone has given you the same terrific advice, and I agree with them. Wait till after the move and just go to a twin or full sized bed.

I skipped the toddler bed with both of mine (too cheap to buy a bed that's only good for a year or two) and went straight to a twin sized bed. We just put a bed rail (found at Toys R US for less than $20 I think) on it and set the bed against the wall - can't fall out. Also, by going with a twin sized bed the kids can not only put their toys in their room but they have more floor space to play in there too! (I try to always think ahead!) :) Good luck on the move and the transition!

We moved our daughter into a twin bed and saved her crib. The twin bed was wood ... made by This End Up, and it had rails on the sides that were removable. We thought it would be easier to make one transition rather than get her a toddler bed, then move to yet another bed. Also, at the age of 2, we didn't worry about the SIDS thing or smothering. So because it was a bigger bed, she was able to have some of her stuffed animals in there, and that really seemed to help.

Oh - we kept the crib so that she could jump on it like a trampoline. I made her hold on to the sides of it, and it was great exercise for her ;)

Also - we just moved here, and have a bunch of boxes and wrapping paper. I'm still breaking down boxes, but if you're interested, just let me know. We live in Denton.

U. (____@____.com)

Personally, since you're about to move, I would either wait to transition her or just transition her to a mattress if you think she's really really ready. She might have a little trouble after the move, just getting used to a new house, etc, and the crib might offer some comfort since it's so familiar. If she's the type that wouldn't have much trouble at all, then I would just get a good mattress for now so you don't have an extra bed to move. And, I would pass on the toddler bed since you can buy the bed rails to help keep her from falling out.
Another thing to thing about is getting more bang for your buck. Are you hoping to find a bed she'll want to keep through her high school years? I would get a bed you can fit a trundle under for future sleep overs.
Good luck!

I had to to the move and transition to bed also. I decided to get my daughter all excited about the move b/c i knew it would be h*** o* her too. We talked about her "new" room and i let her hlep me pick out everything. When we moved that was the very first room we looked at and set up. She played in there all day while we worked around the house. I opted for a toddler bed b/c she could easily get up and down and even fold her balnkets (if that is what you call it). I wanted everthing on her level. Make sure you have a special new lamp or night lite for her as well. She never had a problem and was so ready to be the big girl. Good luck!

I think it would be a good idea to wait make it fun and something to look forward to, tell her what a big girl she is and when you get to your new home she will get a big girl present her new bed. When my boys made this transition I choose not to use the toddler bed because they would seem to out grow it so fast. I used a bed rail and they did great. I also let them pick out their own sheets which I think helped. This way they felt like they were involved in this change.
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H. C.

When you move, move her into her new bed. New home, new big girl bed. I wouldn't waste my money on a temporary bed (toddler bed). Just remember, it will be an adjustment but when we moved we moved our son into his new bed and he was only 16 months, but decided to just do the transition all at once. Good Luck on your move to Delaware.
J.

We put my little girl into a twin bed right away. I thought about doing a toddler bed, but in the long run she wouldnt have been able to use it for more than a year or so. I think that it is going to save you more money to just go to a twin bed right away then you wont be buying a new bed every year or two. They have guard rails that you can put up so that they dont fall out of bed. If you have problems with her climbing out of bed, you could always just put the mattress on the floor until she got used to being in a "big girl bed" Hopefully this helps. Good luck with your move.

My opinion is a day bed, or a club house bed. Maybe before you move so there aren't too many changes all at once. We're a Marine family ourselves, good luck with the move.

I hate to say this, but it is a little luck and trial and error. I have 4 kids, the first three, no problem. My youngest has slept with us since birth, and we just now got her into her own bed. We tried a toddler bed with Nemo (she loves the movie) bedding, and she hated the bed; would not stay there. We just recently got bunk bed for her and her sister (they share a room), she has the bottom bunk and we got real cute pink/purple butterfly sheets/comforter set and now when she wakes up int the middle of the night - rarely, but it still happens - she wants to stay in her own bed!!! I was surprised when she did that for the first time!! LOL!! Also, we had just moved into our new home 4 months ago, and she has had her new bed for about 1 1/2 months now, and she still loves her new bed!!!

My advice is to wait until you get to your new home, since you will then know how big a space you have to work with, and even if you get a regular twin bed, they have bed guards to keep her from falling out of bed and they are fairly inexpensive. That is what I have for my daughter and it works great!

Also, let her be part of the process, she can help pick out her bedding and then she will feel ownership and hopefully should ease the transition to her new bed.

I would wait to do the transition when you moved and are settled in, we moved here from Houston and it was a transition for our 2 1/2 yr old to not being in her enviroment she had been accustomed to. We are planning a twin for our daughter feeling she is ready we have talked about and shown her pics and she is excited, so talk up the bed to her and let her be involved in it. Hope all goes well in this new place you are going to

I have twins and I found it best to put them into a twin bed instead of a toddler bed. The toddler bed is such a waste of money. I would get a twin and buy one of the guard rails to put on the side until she gets adjusted. I would also wait until you move then it can be a big surprise for her new bedroom. They may help adjust with the move also. Good Luck with it all.

I would definitely wait till you move to Delaware, you might risk getting her settled and then disrupting her comfort level in the big girl bed with the big move. And skip the toddler bed, it'll be like transitioning two times from crib to toddler bed and toddler bed to twin. (Plus you won't have to spend the extra money on a toddler bed.) You can get a bed rail at Babies R Us or Toys R Us for around $20, less if you're on their mailing list and get their coupons.

I asked this same question A., read the responses all the gals gave me back on 3/24.
good luck.

My husband and I had this same discussion. I would definitely wait until you move and open up the proposition as a "new move" perk into the "big girl bed." It will be really easy to resort back to the crib but if she doesn't see it (don't even put it up if you can help it), she will adjust better.

I had a daybed with a bed rail that is lower than most but my husband was afraid that she would fall out or stand up and fall over the sides (he's very worrisome). Needless to say, we got a toddler bed and the first night, she fell onto the floor. She didn't wake up so we just picked her back up and she continued to sleep. It happened maybe 2-3 more nights over the next 6mos but otherwise, she is fine. She is now 3 and I am planning to move her into the daybed so she'll have more room to spread out.

If you're worried about her falling out onto the floor, get a toddler bed but be aware that you will probably only need it for a year before you will have to "upgrade" to a twin. 2-3 year olds adjust very easily to twin beds too as long as they have steps to help them get up to it, bed rails, etc. AND they can stay in that bed for several years.

Your biggest challenge will be keeping her IN bed since she now has the choice to get up and walk around so make sure and be aware of any safety issues, especially at night (night lights, door/stair gates, exterior door know covers.) Good luck and I hope you find whichever option you are most comfortable doing!

I have a 2 year old daughter as well whom we are fixing to transition. We chose a full size for a couple of reasons. since we bought her a bedroom suite, rather than just the bed, she will able to grow into it and we'd buy her next set in her preteens (11-12 yrs). Another reason, since we don't have a guest room, her room would serve that purpose should we have company. Plus, as she gets older we anticipate sleepovers! but I do agree with the other responses you have recieved: Wait for the move. It would be h*** o* her to change beds and grow accustomed to it, then to change homes...I think it would just stress her out for too long...I would do it all at once. New everything, New BED! :) Good Luck!

I would personally wait till after the move. I would also just transition straight to a twin bed. We moved our 2 year old to a toddler bed and after 2 months moved him to a twin bed because it just made more sense. He loves his new bed.

Hi, A.!

My suggestion is to go with the daybed. That is what we did with our daughter when she transitioned, and it was the perfect choice. She stayed in that bed until her baby sister was born, and now it is waiting on her when she is ready! Toddler beds are a waste of money (in my opinion!) We just put the bed rails on the day bed, and it was perfect.

As for when - that is a tough question. I would wait until after the move. That way, she is making the changes all at once, rather than one change after another. You can also use it as a teaching experience - "Look, Honey! We have a new home, you have a new bed, and we are excited about our new life!"

Good luck!!!

D.

I would introduce the change all at one time... a new BIG girl room with a new BIG girl bed!

Skip the toddler bed completely. It is a waste of money. I would transition right into a big bed like the twin or trundle. Which ever works best for ya'll. We transisitoned my daughter straight from the crib to a Queen bed. (It was in our guest room so we already had it) and she has done wonderfully. Like i said, don't waste the time and money transitioning to the toddler bed. She will eventually end up in the twin so just go for it. She will do fine with it.

Since you are moving so soon, I would wait until you have lived in your new place for at least 3 months, to give her a chance to adjust. Then I would consider getting a twin bed, and a bed rail, having the other side of the bed against the wall. They reason I recommend this is so you do not have to switch beds a couple times, just remove the bed rail at about age 4. Take care, and good luck with the move!
~K.

I have moved many times and I found best to make any "big" changes to my kids while we're moving (My kids are now 12, 11 and 9). I would suggest to start making it a big deal on how much fun will be when you move and she gets her "big girl bed".
Personally, for many reasons (including cost in the long run) a twin bed I believe is best.Make sure you get the rail in one side and place the other side of the bed against a wall while she gets use to the size. I never used the frame in the beginning JUST IN CASE they fall (less distance from the bed to the floor)...

I would wait until the move. With my son, we moved him to a twin bed but put the box spring and matress on the floor for a while (less distance to fall) untill we felt like he was ready for the frame. He never fell out of the bed and he never got out of it either. His transition went very smoothly, I hope yours does too. :)

Children handle change much more easily than adults do. As a former Air Force brat, I moved often. I have found that one change or many at one time does not matter for a child. Before we moved into our house we currently live in, our youngest two (then 4 and 5) were still sleeping in our bed. When we moved they went into their own room in their own bed... all the changes done at once, new house, new room, new bed, new rules. It worked for us.

I would suggest you start now talking about "when we move, you will have a big girl bed" to help her with the transistion.