What Age to Move to Toddler Bed?

Updated on March 01, 2010
A.H. asks from Lewisville, TX
11 answers

My daughter is 14 months old and Im wondering at what age do I convert her crib into a toddler bed? She has just started walking so Im wondering if its to soon to move her to a toddler bed? Im fine with leaving her in her crib just dont sure what the right age is for converting the crib?

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So What Happened?

I know its been awhile but we just moved Torie into a big girl bed she is doing good so far.

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M.R.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with MR. My youngest was about 30-36 months. He climbed out once but when I was going to transition him he didn't climb out again so I waited several more months. It only took 2-3 days to transition him. He did a great job. I still have a monitor and prob will for a while. He will be 5 in May.

Hope this helps.
M.

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Convert the crib when she either A) asks for a big girl bed or B) when she can get out of it on her own. Moving to the big girl bed opens up a whole new set of challenges - trust me! Good luck.

We didn't convert the crib until our son was 30 months old.

1 mom found this helpful

S.K.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

My son slept in one of those pack and play cribs and when he was around 1, he would try and climb up the sides, shake the sides and actually end up moving it across the floor (tile floor) so for christmas, he was 14months too actually, we got him a "cars" toddler bed. its really low to the ground and it comes with rails.He absolutely loooves it!! i think it makes him feel like a big boy. i put it next to my bed so when i sleep in my bed, he knows to sleep in his. Then gradually seperate. Like i said, he absolutely loves having a big boy bed. And they have really cute girl toddler beds that will make her feel special too!! good luck! oh, my son started walking good about 3 months prior to getting him his bed.

C.S.

answers from Charlotte on

I left my kids in crib until they started trying to climb out. This happened around 2 or 2 1/2

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L.B.

answers from Phoenix on

My son is 18 mo. We are thinking of converting the crib when he is 2. Right now I think he'd think it was too much of a game to climb in and out, even though he loves his sleep! Just not sure I trust him wandering around his room yet- worried he'll be pulling drawers open, climbing shelves in his closet, etc. Although if he starts trying to clumb out of his crib, we'll convert it earlier.

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

Everyone of my 6 grandkids were in the toddler bed by 18 months full time. It is so much easier to transition them at a young age. I thnk the sooner the better. At day care they go from baby beds to cots at 10 months so when they go up to th toddler room they are ready for the cots. If her room is child proof then's she is in a safe environment so if she gets up she is safe. Use a baby gate across the door for further protection. It is a choice of course but I really had no issues with this and I am always one to find issues about every little thing.

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C.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

We converted our son 17 months because he was crawling out of his crib. We put it in his room and he decided he wanted to sleep in it and never went back to his crib. He was ready. On the other hand our daughter is not climbing out at 18 months and we won't convert until we have to.

Ultimately safety was the deciding factor- let's hope that you can hold off as long as possible!

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter was 27 months when we converted her crib to a daybed. She was asking to have a bed. So we went and looked at twin beds. She kept telling us they were all too big. So one day I just went in there and took the side rail off. She loves her "big girl" bed.

We did have a talk the week I converted the bed. She knows not to get out of the bed and to call for me when she wants to get up. I don't want her wandering around on her own with no one awake. I still have a monitor in her room, just in case. :)

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L.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Every child is different and you have to look at things that pertain to your situation. When my DD was 16 months old we put her in a Twin bed (with side railings) skipped right over the toddler beds as then we could lay down with her if needed. At that time I had found out I was pregnant and we wanted my DD to be transitioned before the baby came so she didn't feel like the new baby took her bed. However after some miscarriages new baby didn't come till she was almost 3. If it hadn't been for that fact we would have waited a little longer to move her but she did really well with it and didn 't get up when she wasn't suppose to and never fell out of bed. So I wouldn't push it but if you think she's ready then go ahead and make the transition.

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C.M.

answers from Austin on

I agree with MR. Wait until she asks or can climb out on her own.

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L.L.

answers from Orlando on

My daughter was 18-20 months when we put her in a toddler bed. She was a restless sleeper, always hitting the walls, well I wasn't thinking I guess and (duh) the toddler bed is the same size as the crib mattress. lol, so, she was only in a toddler bed for MAYBE 2-4 months then she got a queen sized. She slept so much better having more space. My rule for her ever since she first was in a toddler bed was, if the sun is not out you are not allowed to get up out of bed!! She is 7 now and that same rule still applies. I know lots of people have problems with keeping their kids in the bed after they take them out of the crib but that wasn't the case at all for me. She stayed in bed (I think she was scared to get out of bed at night when it was all dark & quiet) - so, you never know. It could be an easy transition! You know your daughter best :-)

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