https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 08:35:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759955 Wed, 19 Jul 2017 13:16:49 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2759955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: so they can't open the door! Depends on your door knob. It's not a lock I guess because you can still open it and so could try. There are a few different styles. And I have read about the monkeylock on here that allows the door to be open a crack and air flow and I guess more sound could carry that way. </p> [attach=6109/17/otco41.338x600.IMG_0892.PNG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759707 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 19:42:13 +0000 Jennibenni 2759707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: What is a doorknob lock?? Sounds like I need one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759669 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 17:32:35 +0000 SweetiePie 2759669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: if he's happy, leave him in the crib. Hands down. I wouldn't make unnecessary changes to sleep for a good sleeper.<br /> I would lower it to the lowest setting (I think that's supposed to be done when they can stand anyway, and it will buy you some time). Is he in a sleep sack? If so leave him in that as long as possible too. I'm convinced the sleep sack keeps my nearly 3yo from trying to climb out of the crib. But he's also just not a climber so who knows.<br /> As I just said, mine will be 3 in sept and he's still in the crib. So you might have a whole other year of peaceful crib sleeping for your oldest. I'm dreading the transition (though he's always handled transitions well). He's almost busting out of the largest sleep sack so I think the transition will happen soon-ish but I'm waiting till I literally can't wait any longer.<br /> DS2 is due next March but I'll just be getting a new crib because DS1's turns into a full sized bed. </p> <p>You could put the newborn in an alternative like bassinet, RNP or PNP for a little while to buy some time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759666 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 17:18:06 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2759666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>New house might be a good time to transition her and she won't have as much of an association with her crib.</p> <p>You can always try and if it goes horribly buy a crib and try again in a year. My kiddo was another one with zero problems in the crib and zero problems transitioning at 2 years. he was able to transition fine at like 21 months but we put him back in the crib so my mom could use the twin.. then after he turned 2 we did it again. It went perfectly both times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759640 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:09:12 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2759640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids will be 21 months apart. We just switched my toddler to a big bed a month ago. She hasn't figured out how to climb out of the crib and I was really worried how it would go because sleep was excellent in the crib in a sleep sack. It has been okay though. And now I'm glad we did it this way. We have a doorknob lock on the inside of the door so we hear her rattling it when she has woken up and gotten out of bed in the morning or after nap, but she can't escape and roam the house which I feel would be a good option for you on another floor. </p> <p>Cribs can be pretty cheap though so base it on your kid. I also couldn't be doing the lifting in and out of the crib right now or after I have the baby and my toddler is petite so that was a slight factor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759624 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:41:27 +0000 KayKay 2759624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jennibenni: my advice depends on the temperament of your LO1! </p> <p>My LO1 and LO2 are 2.5y apart; we transitioned LO1 to a big girl bed just before LO2 came, and she did fine. Never had real issues sleeping (nothing different than in the crib as far as MOTN wakeups, etc), rarely got out of the bed on her own until she was 4, etc. </p> <p>LO2 and LO3 are 2y apart, and we decided to not get another crib. We moved LO2 out of the crib about a month after LO3 arrived (mostly because of DH work schedule!), and it was okay for the first month, but never great. And then we potty trained her and it all went to hell :) But she is my little boundary tester and constantly is in &amp; out of her bed, wakes up more at night, etc.</p> <p>So if you think your LO1 is anything like my LO2, I'd say buy another crib! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759578 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:34:30 +0000 Adira 2759578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My oldest is almost 4.5 and still in his crib (as a toddler bed). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759571 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:21:51 +0000 mdf106 2759571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine have a 29 month difference, and I transitioned LO1 to a bed at 27 months with no problem. His room is upstairs, and we locked him in his room (doorknob covers). We also have a baby gate at the top of the stairs. He very rarely got out of bed at all, and even at almost 4 rarely gets out of bed before we get him, and I can only think of one time he left the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759569 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 14:15:01 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2759569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in a similar position, due in dec and #2 and #3 will be 27ish months apart. The plan is to put #1 and #2 in a bunk bed and leave the crib in the room. We'll transition #2 when he is ready but we think he will be ready sooner than our first was because he likes to do everything she does. If he doesn't transition by the time #3 needs a crib then we'll get one, but I think #3 can stay in the pnp til then. I'd rather not. I think we might get one of those padded mattresses for the pnp. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759506 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:19:01 +0000 erinbaderin 2759506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours are 26 months apart and we got a second crib. We actually bought one second hand on kijiji and just used it for a few months until B was old enough to transition to the toddler bed, then we moved W into the initial (nicer) crib and sent the secondhand one to my parents' house for when we go visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759462 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:08:36 +0000 PinkElephant 2759462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first two are 22 months apart. I got a second crib, and was so happy with that decision that I got a THIRD crib when DD3 was born this fall. It was worth it for the few months we needed it while DD1 (at 4-4.5) was still sleeping in a crib with with the side off as a toddler bed in our apartment. DD1 got a "big girl" full sized bed when we moved to our house when DD3 was a few months old. We now use the extra crib as a safe place for the baby in the downstairs playroom, so it did not go to waste.</p> <p>If we'd lived in our house at the time, we might have done it differently, but I'm happy with our choice given the circumstances. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759431 Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:43:18 +0000 ShootingStar 2759431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We converted DS's crib to a toddler bed at 20 months. A month later when his full size mattress arrived we converted again to a full size bed. He never tried to get out of it and treated it like a crib. It was a great transition and we plan to do it similarly with DD.</p> <p>I definitely would not buy a new crib given the 28 month gap. That seems like a waste to me. I'm guessing you'd keep the baby in a bassinet in your room for 4-6 months (or more), so your older one would be almost 3 by the time you really need a crib. And I just can't imagine my 3 year old in a crib. He gets up on his own, uses the bathroom on his own, etc. And he's not a baby any more so it's not like I have to worry about him and the plugs or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759226 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:44:34 +0000 Jennibenni 2759226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the input everyone! We will most likely see how the move to the new house goes and decide closer to baby if we should transition LO1 to another bed. It's so helpful to hear all of your experiences! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759223 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:39:24 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2759223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't want to buy another crib so I transitioned my 2 year old into a bed so we would use her crib for #2. They will be 2 years 4 months apart. She never tried getting out of her crib either. I ended up buying a twin mattress and doing a floor bed instead of a toddler bed. Its worked out great. In the beginning she would get out of her bed at nap time but doesn't anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759222 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:26:37 +0000 Banana330 2759222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had this same debate. We're about the same age gap and going to just move her to a big girl room. she's pretty excited about it and keeps telling me the baby will sleep in her crib. I didn't want to buy a new crib and mattress for a few months since I know she'll be out of it not long after. </p> <p>That said we haven't done the transition yet. We're thinking we'll try the bed and if it's a nightmare we'll put the crib in her new room for a few months and keep trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759221 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 19:23:30 +0000 maddyz 2759221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a new crib for lo2. Mine are 19 months apart. I am about to transition lo1 to a toddler bed because it's killing me to pick him up all the time. He's almost 2.5. this might be a really bad idea..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759190 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:16:12 +0000 gingerbebe 2759190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids are 20 months apart. DS figured out how to climb out of his crib at 27-28 months so we transitioned then. </p> <p>We had DS2 sleep in a PNP we already owned with a Dream on Me playard mattress (with pad and sheet). The mattress is only like $35 and we use it allll the time when we travel. DS2 actually slept in the PNP way beyond when DS1 moved to a bed because I really like the mesh sides when they start pulling up and falling over. The babies bang their heads on the rails or headboard in a traditional crib and teeth on the wood too, so the PNP is nice to prevent that. DS2 ended up in the crib just before he turned 1 with no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759177 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 17:38:00 +0000 Eko 2759177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in a similar situation. D'S just turned 2 and I'm due in December. I decided to switch him to a normal bed and will reuse the crib for Lo2. We are also going to switch his room and the baby is going in his current room.</p> <p>The reason for choosing this was that he was likely going to have to transition to a big bed within the next year and I definitely did not want to deal with that and a new baby. I decided to switch him into a big bed before we change his room so he could get used to it in a comfortable setting first, then change his room, then introduce his sister. I really don't want to change any part of his routine once LO2 gets here unless absolutely necessary.. so I'm moving ahead in advance so he can get comfortable before the baby comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759165 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:50:10 +0000 Littlebit7 2759165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Check out the IKEA crib! Or this would be a time to get one from a friend<br /> But my advice is to keep a happily sleeping kid where they are until you NEED to do something about it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759158 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:37:59 +0000 matador84 2759158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours are 17months apart and my older one was still in a crib when LO2 was born. I had a small travel crib a friend lent to me but LO2 would not sleep in it, so we ended up cosleeping for a year and it worked just fine. At a little over a year, I transitioned LO2 to the crib and LO1 by then was about 28 months and I put him in a twin bed. The transition was seamless. </p> <p>I'm glad I didn't spend the money on another crib because I don't think it would have been used. If I HAD to have another crib, I would have gotten an inexpensive one like an IKEA crib. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759157 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:37:40 +0000 josina 2759157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 28 month difference and bought a toddler bed instead of another crib - BUT DS was crawling out of his crib by 18 months. If you can keep him contained I would.<br /> DD is 5 months now and still hasn't slept in the crib - partly because they will share a room and I'm afraid of DS crawling in there with her without me knowing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759151 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:30:44 +0000 Shantuck 2759151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you plan for the baby to sleep in the crib from day 1 or will the baby be sleeping in a bassinet or rock n' play for the first couple months? If you plan to have the baby sleeping in the rock n' play or bassinet for a bit, I'd probably hold off on buying anything new until you are officially ready to move the baby into the crib because you might decide that you are ready to make the transition at that point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759145 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:21:21 +0000 Mommy Finger 2759145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Buy a new crib. We kept DS1 in his crib until he was 3 and then did the toddler rail. He never tried to climb out and loved his bed. I didn't want there to be any hard feelings that the new baby was going to take his bed. We got him his big boy bed when he was 4. We bought a new crib for DS2 at Walmart for like $100. I would spend that money again. My boys are 25 months apart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759143 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:19:26 +0000 azjax 2759143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are planning to use the toddler rail on the crib for DS and then transition him to a big boy bed by the time LO2 is about 6 months old. LO2 will be in a travel crib in our room for the first 6 months so we can establish BF and minimize SIDS risk. The drawback with transitioning to a big kid bed for the toddler is that the room has to be truly baby proofed, so we are working on removing some small pieces of furniture that can't be anchored properly and removing some books that he could destroy. I think you will need to baby gate the bedroom and stairs regardless of whether LO1 is in a crib or a bed, so I wouldn't bother with a second crib. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759139 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:13:12 +0000 petitenoisette 2759139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd buy a new one especially bc you can get something totally fine for cheap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759138 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:12:37 +0000 Jennibenni 2759138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kes18: It would definitely be cheap! Crib number one was $120 and I'm glad I didn't pay more than that because it's covered in teeth marks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759129 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 16:02:48 +0000 kes18 2759129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are similarly spaced. I bought a new crib- just a cheaper one that still looks nice for $125. Cribs aren't heirloom furniture or anything. When she turned 3 she requested her big girl bed and has done fantastic with it ever since (3 mo ago). I also didn't like the crib #1 because the footprint was too big so that played into my decision as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759128 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 15:59:15 +0000 Jennibenni 2759128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsB2012: That's kind of what I was thinking, it seems like a lot to put him in a new room and a new house and then throw in a new bed. But I also want to make sure I'm not just throwing money away on another crib we don't really need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759125 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 15:56:09 +0000 MrsB2012 2759125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was pregnant with #2, I bought a second crib. I didn't want to rush a transition we might not be ready for. Im glad I did it that way as it would have just been too much change for #1. When I was pregnant with #3, that's when we bought #1 a double bed. ( she was 3.5 when she went into the big bed, but I had taken off the side of the crib when she was around 2.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buy-a-second-crib-or-no#post-2759123 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 15:55:35 +0000 raspberries 2759123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We transitioned our LO from a crib to a bed at 22 mo (LO2 had arrived a few months earlier and we were ready to transition him out of our room.) He did great - I definitely worried much more about the transition than he did, haha. He's slept a solid 11-12 hours/night in the bed, the same as he did when he was in the crib. That being said, I've heard some horror stories about this transition and I think a lot of it is personality-dependent... our LO has always been a great sleeper and generally good at entertaining himself. Now that he's not confined to a crib, he just climbs out and reads books on the floor in the morning until we come to let him out. </p>