[bagletkt]

Just wondering how this transition worked for some of you. At DS two year check up the Dr. was adamant that we get him out of the crib. We converted his crib that night-he didn't sleep at all. He cried so hard it was almost like he had anxiety over it. We tried again the next two nights with the same reaction.

It's funny because I was worried that he wouldn't go to sleep because he would be out of bed and into everything. But he seems to really need that security. So I was wondering if anyone else experienced this, and what did you do? Also at what age did your kiddos move from the crib to the bed?

[Beth.]

What is the doc's reasoning for moving him out of the crib?

[minibus]

We plan to keep K in her crib until she starts trying to climb out. SO much easier than the thought of her not wanting to go to bed and having to lock her in her room!

[Casey677]

I moved my first out of the crib before she was 2 because I needed the crib for our second. It took about a month before she was completely fine with it. I remember my dh laying down with her for what felt like forever. LOL. Turns out he kept falling asleep.

With my second, we moved her out of the crib around 20 months because she kept trying to climb out. I had planned on leaving her in there until she was at least 2.5. Silly mommy. We are still adjusting. She fell out of bed twice the first week (but not since). They share a room and are quite good at getting into one bed and giggling forever.

I would keep your son in the crib unless you have to take him out of it for other reasons - like he's trying to climb out.

[DPline]

I second the 'why is the doctor insisting on that?' To me that seems totally crazy. (I am feeling quite opinonated today. )

My sons weren't out of their cribs until 3 and 3.5 and DD I took out of the crib at just 2 years old because we were moving and I regreted it for years! To do it again I would wait until she was at least 3 or 3.5. It was a battle for literally two years to keep her in bed and most of the time she ended up sleeping in DS #1's bed.

[chrisandaaron]

Our oldest switched cold turkey right around age 2 and never looked back. I think we went on vacation or somewhere were he slept in a big bed and then went right to his big boy bed when we got home.

Our second sounds much more like your son. He definitely needs the security of his crib. His big boy bed is all set up in his room and occasionally he will sleep in it, but he has a hard time falling asleep. Sometimes he will even point and say "crib" if he wants to sleep in there. This has been going on for months. He is 2 1/2 and sleeps in his crib most of the time. I plan to let him stay in his crib as long as he likes as long as he isn't climbing out. I know he can (he climbs in and out of his sister's crib), but he doesn't.

I don't know why the doctor would care if he sleeps in a crib? I'll be interested to hear what other have to say about that.

[bagletkt]

Dr. wants him out because of the climbing. He can climb in and out but doesn't unless we are in the room. Dr. says he sees way too many falls from cribs which is why he is pushing for the switch.

The other thing that makes this hard is DS will not sleep anywhere else. He will not nap at either grandparents house. We went out the other night and when we went to pick him up at 11:30 he was still awake! We have a very regimented bed time so I don't know if that effects his ability to sleep elsewhere. He sleeps from 8:00 to 8:00 at home. I don't want to sound like I am complaining because I love the fact that he sleeps through the night. I don't know, must just be one of those days for questioning your parental judgement. (wait that's everyday ) Thanks for the responses.

[DPline]

How about a crib tent? My kids never climbed out, but that is the number one thing I see recommended here for kids that are climbing out of their crib.

This may not be the best idea, but I'll throw it out there anyway. Could you keep him in the crib, but with the side down and a really sturdy stepstool, chair, something next to it and teach him to climb in and out safely? My Mom did this with me when she was pregnant with my brother and couldn't lift me in and out of the crib. It really depends on the child and your son is pretty young, but a thought.

[linda512]

I just moved my son to his "big boy bed" which consists of his crib with the side rail off but a guard rail to keep him falling out! We talked about it a lot beforehand and he has liked it so far (only 2 nights).
At 2 I was not ready for him to be out of the crib. He did not climb out of his crib but did climb out of the port-a-crib at my parents and I did buy a crib tent. He did great with it. I made it fun and exciting and he fell for it! So, it may be worth a try.