Hellobee Boards

I’m just curious as to why you’re switching them? Did one or both climb out?

I switched both my kids by 22 months because of a new baby, but I set up their big bed about a week before they got to go into it so they were used to seeing it and climbing onto it for stories and stuff. They just went into a twin bed. I definitely wouldn’t spring it on them right at bedtime.

Also, I did bedtime in it as their first sleeping experience, not a nap and I think that helped. Because they’re older I think you won’t have too much of a problem because you can explain it to them.

Honestly, both times it went way better than I expected and I had no issues. My first kid stopped napping at 2.5 but would lie on her bed for quiet time. My second kid is only 2 so definitely still needs the nap and takes it easily.

I’d say you’re only in for 1-2 weeks of a potentially rough transition, if that. Maybe give them a special stuffed animal they can only have if they stay in their beds? I know that’s a big perk for my kids, they get to have 5+ stuffed animals in their bed and choose which ones they cuddle up at the top near their pillow each night.

Good luck!

We just moved my son from his crib to a twin bed. He'll be three next month. He never really tried to climb out, but my daughter is almost four months old, and we didn't want to buy a new crib for her. Anyway, what we did was we hyped up that he would be getting his new "big boy bed" for a few days, but we basically didn't build it in his room until the end of the day. He was in the room while my husband put it together, and then we put him to bed in it pretty much right after. If it's any comfort, the transition has been very smooth. He doesn't get out in the middle of the night or anything. In fact, he hasn't really left his room at all. He will actually knock on the door from the inside and call for us if he wants to come out, even though he is totally capable of opening his own door lol.

LO was around when we took the side off her crib and put the toddler rail on. Then she was able to lay in it and get used to it during that day before bedtime.

It was a super smooth transition, and she kept her crib mentality and basically didn't get out and just called for us if she needed anything. We also transitioned later, only after she climbed out for the first time. Even now, years later in a 'big' bed at 6.5 yo she will often just call for us rather than getting out of bed!

Best of luck

I hope that it goes great!

We switched DS1 at 2 years 9 months. DH came home a bit early and set up how bed. I picked up DS from daycare and we showed him when we got home. He used his crib mattress for the first couple months until I bought a twin mattress. For the first few weeks he didn’t get out of his bed and would call for us when he woke up. We have more problems now at 6 keeping him in bed than we did then.

I don't think you need to be so concerned! With both of my boys it wasn't really a big deal at all. My first was fine, and he even stayed in his room the first few weeks until he realized he could walk out himself.

My second has been in a bed for A YEAR (he's 3.5 now), and still waits for us to come and get him, haha.

I know I've been lucky, but I also wasn't really concerned about it - I wouldn't overthink it.