https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 05 Jun 2026 20:49:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1314274 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:31:51 +0000 Lozza 1314274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just transitioned LO to a real bed at age 31 (or 32? I can't remember) months, with a 10 week old baby in the house, and we had zero issues whatsoever. I loved having him contained in his crib as long as possible, and I think by waiting, by the time we transitioned him, he was old enough to really understand the daytime/nighttime, "now it's time to sleep" distinction. We also made a big deal out of him being a big boy, and getting a fancy big boy bed, and he was the one who first explicitly suggested that now the baby could have his crib (the baby is still in a co-sleeper in our room).<br /> I honestly also think it helps that we have zero light sources in LO's room aside from a digital clock, so it is DARK in there at night. I think that sincerely discourages him from leaving his bed since, while there's a little light coming in from around his window shades, he definitely can't see enough to play, and can't really even see well enough to get around his room comfortably, so he just stays put.<br /> Another thing that I think helped us is that LO almost never uses his room for anything but sleep-related activities (I'm including getting into pjs and reading books before bed in this category). He doesn't hang out and play in there, and he's never just hanging out on his bed, so I think that's another thing that reinforces the idea that "ok now we SLEEP and do not do anything else." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1314202 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:03:50 +0000 lemondrop 1314202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hear you on trying to get ready for #2, we are in the same boat with #2 coming in March and #1 is still in the crib. I will not be buying another crib. </p> <p>Ultimately C is just not ready to move yet- he's happy and sleeps well in the crib with no escapes yet, so we are planning to hold off until after #2 arrives. Our biggest issue is that we will have several family members in and out helping us before/when #2 arrives- sleeping in C's new room. I also figure that he will regress like crazy when we bring his new brother home. </p> <p>For now we are trying a nap or two a week in his new toddler bed so it's not a foreign concept, and spending a lot more time in his new room so it is familiar and comfortable for him. We will keep #2 in our room in a pack and play for the first month or two (which we did with C in the early days), then work on the transition of each boy into their own rooms (I figure I won't be sleeping much then with a newborn anyway). </p> <p>Glad @NaturallyCathy: answered, she is my go to for toddler bed transitions! Girlfriend needs to write a guest post for the blog about her experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1314102 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:27:54 +0000 Modern Daisy 1314102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't doen this yet so take my advice with a grain of salt, but my good friend just did this since with her 22 month old son since she was pregnant with #2 and she ended up just getting a lock for the top of his bedroom door and that really helped. I think she said he banged on it the first few nights, then when he realized there was no leaving the room at night time he eventually gave up and now sleeps in his bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1314007 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:54:58 +0000 prettylizy 1314007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crystbum: We transitioned our young toddler to a floor bed early for the same reason as you, another one on the way a need the crib. We've taken a kind of 'meh' approach and we're just letting it ride. Most nights she crawls out of bed once or twice and ends up sleeping on the floor by her bedroom door. (We keep her door closed to keep our pups from bothering her at night and she can't open it yet on her own). Sometimes she sings and plays in there by herself, sometimes she cries, but she eventually falls asleep. I've found the less of a big deal I make out of it the better it is. DH has gotten really good a sneaking her back in bed after she's fallen asleep on the floor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313977 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:48:14 +0000 mrbee 1313977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that she's not ready... you could try again in 3 months or so maybe?</p> <p>There are some great blog posts on toddler bed transitions... Mrs. Train's story is especially epic!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/transitioning-to-a-toddler-bed/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/transitioning-to-a-toddler-bed/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313960 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:44:03 +0000 littlek 1313960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crystbum: My guess is she is not ready to transition. I would put her back in the crib and try again in a few months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313931 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:34:47 +0000 looch 1313931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At around 20 months, my son decided he was done with the crib and transitioned himself, so I agree with the others that advised you to put your kid back in the crib. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313920 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:31:55 +0000 Mrs. Bum 1313920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And yes we will be using her crib for the newborn </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313914 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:31:05 +0000 Mrs. Bum 1313914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Yep we have it toddler proofed and she has actually fallen asleep on the bed after about an hours play. She just seems miserable and not liking the change in routine I guess </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313907 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:28:52 +0000 Mrs. Bum 1313907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do and I don't. Because before this she was such a great napper and sleeper. By the books! Two naps a day and down at 7pm sleeping 8-10 hours straight. Now, it's a task in the bed but if I lay her in the crib she's out like a bat. Ugh...<br /> I guess my main reasoning is that this is already rough so I can't imagine trying to do when I'm 8 or 9 months huge or when next lo is here and my time is limited, ya know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313895 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:26:02 +0000 Mamaof2 1313895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I assume you need the crib for your newborn and that is why you are moving her now?</p> <p>I tried moving my DS when he was almost 2.5 and I was like 8 months preg. It was so hard with my huge belly to put him in the crib - after 2 days I told my DH to put the crib back up!!!</p> <p>DD was born and in our room sleeping</p> <p>Finally at age 3 he started climbing out so we then put him in a big bed. Nighttime wasn't too bad after a few weeks but napping stopped. It was such a pain to get him to sleep so we just gave up and gave him an earlier bedtime. Luckily he was still napping during the week at DCP.</p> <p>I assume the room is "toddler proof?" If so put up a gate at the doorway and leave her - maybe she will play in her room until she falls asleep and then you can move her to her bed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313893 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:26:00 +0000 Mrs. Bum 1313893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks guys! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313891 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:25:53 +0000 regberadaisy 1313891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second @NaturallyCathy: . When we transitioned LO at around 19m it was a very smooth transition. But I knew she was ready. Do you feel LO is ready? </p> <p>You still have time yet until #2 gets here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313878 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:22:42 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1313878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's my advice - put her back in the crib for a few more weeks to a month. I know it seems counter productive but believe me, it'll not only help you but it'll help her. I tried to transition DS in July during a long weekend and it ended up in a complete and utter failure after just one day. I wasn't up to the task of going back and forth trying to get him to stay in his bed because I also had our four month daughter to deal with and I was just exhausted. So after many bitter tears and a glass of wine, we put the front of his crib back on.</p> <p>Fast forward to September. Another long weekend. And you know what? The toddler rails stayed up at the end of the weekend and everything has been fine since then. He was 20ish months. It may be that she's just not ready for the independence yet. My son wasn't ready even though I was so I waited (and transitioned him to one nap instead of two in the process). Then when I tried again it wasn't a -new- concept. Now at nearly two years old, he'll often wander into his room and lay down whenever he's ready for a nap!</p> <p>I hope this helps. I've been there, I really have. Big big big hugs :heart: :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313875 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:21:19 +0000 Elderberrygin 1313875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't tried it, but our friends used a pop-up travel tent/bed to put their LO in when they were at friends' houses for the day. They'd put it on a regular mattress to keep her contained so she'd nap. Maybe something like that could be useful to transition her out of the crib? </p> <p>Hope it gets better soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313859 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:14:58 +0000 LuLu Mom 1313859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No adivce, but hope it gets better! I dread this transition! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313845 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:09:06 +0000 swedishfish 1313845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no advice but I hope things get better soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/crib-to-bed-hell#post-1313833 Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:04:45 +0000 Mrs. Bum 1313833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok. So, I'm working on day 6 of transitioning my LO to her toddler bed. Not fun..at all...I'm trying to stay sane.<br /> Let me start by giving a lil background. I'm 5 months pregnant with number 2 and thus the reason I am starting this transition sooner than normal. LO is 18 months.</p> <p>I've been able to get her to sleep in the bed at nights by laying next to the bed for an hour or more and patiently placing her back in the bed each time she gets up. She is VERY persistent and is giving me a run for my money!<br /> Nap time is horrible. We bought the blackout shades to make the room darker and I've even laid her down and walked away with the safety gate up...and that doesn't work at all. She plays with toys/books/runs around her room and won't stay in bed.</p> <p> So far, all that's working/draining on me is laying next to the bed for an hour or two (until she completely wears herself down and passes out). I'm going bonkers. </p> <p>All advice I've read recommends starting to do this before new baby gets here because it will be 10 times harder trying to teach her with an infant strapped to my chest. So, any advice?<br /> How long does this hell last lol..?</p> <p>I do have her crib up in the bedroom still and have had her nap in it occasionally due to me being exhausted. </p> [attach=2856/14/mysfo0.399x600.IMG_3579.JPG]