Big Boy Bed
Tonight we made the transition to the “big boy bed” by converting Josiah’s crib.
About a week ago he discovered a new “trick.” I heard him calling me from his room so I walked in to find him in his crib, but I knew that neither Samuel nor I had put him there. He was very proud of his new skill and chose to play in the crib for awhile. I told him to give me a call when he was ready to get out.
A few minutes later he ran past me! Another new trick! Over the past week he has become very adept at this. Of course, his ability to do this is largely dependant on the toy box at the end of his bed that he was using to climb in and out. I knew that if the in-and-out got out of hand, we’d just have to move the toy box.
His new trick isn’t why we converted his bed . . . my increasingly painful sacrum is why. Just tucking him in and lifting him in and out (although he could do it by himself, he still wanted my help when he woke up) has been painful, and I realized that there would be no way I could make his bed leaning over the railing (it doesn’t move), especially as my belly grows.
We changed our routine a little tonight by putting him in his bed first, then reading a story and saying prayers (as opposed to doing it out on the couch first), and so far so good! We decided not to mention that he may not get out of bed on his own, to avoid giving him the idea.
He’s always been a great sleeper and hopefully that will continue! We’ll see!
Update on the bed: the first night went really well until about 7:30am when Josiah fell out. He didn’t fall far, as we had put another mattress on the floor next to the bed just-in-case; but it did startle him. I went in to comfort him and ended up cuddling in his bed with him for the next hour or so. As I tried to sneak out, he woke up and asked me not to leave, so I grabbed a sleeping bag and stretched out on the mattress next to him for another 2 hours.
Before he went to bed last night we moved his dresser against the bed to prevent more falls. I think he’s used to cuddling up at the edge of the crib against the railing, so we figured this would provide some comfort.
All went well last night, and he waited for me to come in to get him before getting out of bed this morning!
If you have kids, when did you make the switch to the big boy / big girl bed? How did it go?
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What?! You are pregnant, too?!
Robyn-
My answer may not be typical. Leah graduated into her big girl bed at 18 months……Lucas was born and needed the crib, so she got bumped out. Her big girl bed is a double size though, and she had no problem transitioning to it. Never fell out either. Lucas went to his big boy bed about 22 months. He did just fine transitioning, and Maiah left the crib at about 20months- she was already throwing herself out of the crib at this point, and we would wake up to a “thud”. She simply wouldn’t stay in it any longer, so we didnt’ see the point in putting her there. Good luck with your pregnancy and I hope you have a better experience this time. Although, I’m curious to hear what happened at your Dr visit that was disappointing. Do you think you’ll find out boy/girl? Names?
My brothers family is probably not typical either. Their 3 3yr olds transitioned to a big bed (all 3 in 1 bed) at about 2 yrs…then 1 yr later they added another child to the bed to make room in the crib for their infant. Their need was space as they have 6 kids in a small house and they don’t have space for all the cribs. It is a challenge keeping them all inbed during nap time but bedtime goes smoother I think because it is dark.