What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

I know opinions will vary on this subject but generally speaking if your child has never attempted to climb out of the crib and sleeps great, what age do you think would be appropriate to switch to a toddler bed?

We have a convertible crib so right now the mattress is as low as it can go. All we need to do is take the front piece off and add a guard rail. DS is turning 2 this week and we really haven't thought about making the switch yet. That is until an older coworker of mine asked if he is in a big bed yet and I said that he was still in a crib. Her reply was "He is almost 2!" so it got me thinking.

Also we have a DC#2 due next month (they have their own furniture/crib) but was thinking if it would be better to make the switch before the new baby is here.

So, how old was your non-climbing DC when (if) you switched? If you haven't switched, how old are they and when do you plan to?

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

honestly... I wouldn't listen to your coworker LOL
keep him contained as long as possible!! LOL if hes not trying to climb out, and is still sleeping well in there... just leave him in a crib!
for us, DS was the same way... never tried to climb out, slept very well in the crib for naps and night time, so we weren't in any rush. BUT one night when he was 2.5, DH and I were cleaning up from dinner and DS was playing in his room (we have a rancher so everything is on the same floor). I went to check on him, and he had climbed INTO his crib!! LOL I'm SO glad he fell in and not out- that way he landed on the soft mattress. but still- it was crazy!!
SO- right away, we took off the side, and added the little rail thing (which thank goodness I had already bought). And hes been in the toddler bed ever since! he sleeps really well in there, and (knock on wood) doesn't try to climb out.
so, yeah- ignore you coworker and just wait until you or your DS feel more ready.

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

we switched a little after 1 year. I'd rather him roll off of a low bed than climb and fall from a crib. he hated the crib anyway.

What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

We switched when DS was 18m

Message edited 3/16/2014 7:34:23 PM.

What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

Dd potty trained at 2.5 so we did a toddler rail on crib. She turned 3 in May and 2 weeks we moved so she got a twin bed and my 3 month old got the crib. I would so it when you feel like. If he's not climbing I would keep him in crib as long as I can

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

We converted DS's crib to a full at 2 3/4 because I was pregnant with twins and wanted the crib mattress. DS never attempted to climb out and slept fine in his crib but actually slept better when we moved him. We made a big deal about becoming a big brother and getting a big boy bed. He did great with the switch and loves his new bed. We also did potty training around the same time though potty training would have been so much easier in a toddler bed. Changing a full size bed in the middle of the night is not fun!

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

DD - 27 months
DS - closer to 28 months

DD went straight into a twin bed

DS went into a toddler bed that I got from a friend, otherwise he would have gone straight to a twin also. He went into a twin at 33 months

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

DD1 went into a twin bed at 3 yrs. 4 mos. #2 was born when she was 20 months and I bought a new crib. Her younger sister went into a toddler bed at exactly 3 (and then a twin around 4.5). Their brother is currently 2 yrs. 8 mos. and I'll probably move him at 3.

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

DS1 went from a crib to twin bed at 2y8m and that only because he was a big kid and was simply outgrowing his crib. He loved it though so I waited awhile.

DS2 is 2y3m right now and I have no immediate plans to move him. my thought is after the new year if all goes well. THat is really because DS1 wants bunk beds with his brother and I thought we might get him that for his birthday! But really DS2 is a wild child (who climbs everything but not his crib ) so I plan on waiting as long as possible for him! maybe even 5 if he still fits! lol

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

we switched DD a little over 2 only because she was climbing out i would have waited longer if she didnt climb out or until i had a second which i am having now at a little over 2.5 she will be getting a full size bed so i can use the crib for our new DC.

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

We didn't switch DS until over 3 1/2. He threw himself out at 15 months in a fit of rage and never really tried again.
He was great in the crib and it kept him contained and I had so many friends tell me to leave him be for as long as you can.
He started giving us a really hard time getting him into the crib and going to sleep and we are having a second soon anyway. Didn't want to buy a second crib and he was getting big so we put him into a twin bed. He loves it - but I do miss knowing that he can't/ won't get out. Now he shows up in our room at 5:45 am.

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

We switched ds#1 at 3 years 11 months. He loved his crib, slept great in it and never climbed out of it.
I figured why mess with what wasn't broken. The transition to the bed went great.

What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

Dd is 28 mos and sleeps great in her crib. She wakes up in morning, reads her books, plays with toys and relaxes for a while. I don't plan on changing it anytime soon, unless age jumps out

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

Oops double post

Message edited 7/7/2013 10:29:12 PM.

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

from a developmental standpoint I don't like the concept of "keeping them contained" sounds like dealing with a rabbit, not a child.

Yes, your child may get out of bed and come to find you...but if that's not ok with you then that is an opportunity to teach them to stay in bed and teach when is an appropriate time to wake up. They have special alarm clocks to help teach this.

I think that children are able to do most things younger than what most people give them credit for and it's an important part of fostering their independence.

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

I just read up on this and the consensus was to change out of crib when they are either climbing out of it or 35 inches tall. I plan on keeping dd in there as long as I can

Re: What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

DD was two in May and still in her crib. I have no plans to switch her to a bed anytime soon. Although she is HUGE climber, she has not climbed out of her crib (knock wood) and is very comfy and cozy in there. She naps in there and sleeps like a rock at night. Why mess with a good thing?
She's happy, we're happy and she's not "contained" to her bed. It's not like she's put in her crib to keep her from exploring while I do dishes or left in there so Mommy and Daddy can sleep in on the weekends. It's her bed, her safe and cozy bed that she's been in since Day 1. No need to rush things IMO. Babies don't get to be babies anymore these and I find it very sad.

What age to stop crib and switch to bed?

DS was 2 1/4 - we moved him when he started to climb out.