HOWTO: Keep a Toddler in the Crib
When your child figures out how to get out of his or her crib, what do you do? Do you move them to a toddler bed and give up the cozy confines of a crib? Or do you leave them in their crib, and hope that the novelty of climbing out wears off?
I say leave them in the crib as long as they still fit. The sooner they go to a real bed, the sooner you have to deal with them smearing feces on the wall, messing with the dresser, and coming out of their room.
But couldn't they get hurt climbing out of their crib?
Of course they could! However, my theory is that the first time they climb out will also be their last. So to keep a child in their crib, simply put them back in it. Let me illustrate...
Say your little precious starts the ascent up the side of the crib. Up up up he goes. He reaches the summit, miles away from base camp, and realizes the he has made it. He's on top of the world, but there's still one thing left to do... climb down the other side. Having no experience in such matters, the little nugget figures this will be an easy task. He throws his legs over with reckless abandon and tries to shimmy down, only to discover he has the upper body strength of a one year old. One by one the fingers slip, and his heart begins racing. In mere seconds he has gone from the top of the world, to the painful, hard, depths, better known as the floor.
So what has the little nugget learned? Hopefully he has learned that falling is not near as fun as climbing, so he better stay in his crib.
Now before you jump on my case let me say a few things. First, I'm assuming that the first time the child falls out of the crib is almost unavoidable. There has been no pattern of behavior that would lead the parent to believe that the child would attempt such a maneuver. Second, subsequent times in the crib would be monitored a little more closely. I do realize that the child could be seriously hurt, but also think that the first experience may deter them from any further climbing. I also know that every kid is different, so feel free to ignore everything I've just said!
What has your experience been with your toddlers?
photo courtesy of wordollhouses
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We've been keeping little man in his crib for as long as possible too. We still put him in a sleep sack at night so he can't get any traction to climb out of his crib. Unfortunately, with #2 on the way and the smurf house we live in, we are getting ready to get a toddler bed and will be transitioning him at nap time. This ought to get interesting.
Good luck with the transition! I'm just gonna assume it's going to be smooth sailing.
Yes, once they can get out of the crib and you make the transition to the bed, this is the point you surrender any potential for ever sleeping in as the wee one will be staring you in the face at 6AM wondering wear breakfast is.
Yeah, and their little hands are cold in the morning since I keep the heat at like 40 degrees. Little fingers on your face will wake you up in a hurry.
We always took the 1st time they climbed out of the crib as a turning point that meant they were ready for a toddler bed. That's just us.
I don't think that's just you. Seems like a logical step... I just think we're weenies and don't want to deal with a wandering child.
Daughter 1 - Fell out of crib. We transitioned shortly thereafter.
Son - Never fell out, but had to move him to toddler due to sister coming and taking the crib away.
Daughter 2 - Hasn't fallen out, still in crib. Will still be in the crib a while possibly even though her little sister was just born. We were given another crib so the rush to get her out of her's isn't rushed.
Daughter 3 - Only 2 weeks old. If she falls out, that means I'm going to be blamed.
That sounds like way too much excitement for me!
Based on my experience - I would have to disagree with this policy! My first daughter started climbing out about 19 months - and my second at 16 months! Fear of falling didn't slow either one of them down - and they were way too young to have the judgement to be careful. Serious danger of broken bones is not worth the slight possibility they might learn a lesson. Here's what I came up with: Push one side of the crib against the wall. Remove the slats so the crib mattress lays on the floor. Lower the outer side of the crib all the way. Luckily for us - this made the same basic crib shape - but much closer to the floor. It bought us maybe a month or two of security because it still wasn't easy for them to climb out, so they didn't try it every day. When that happened, we would just get rid of the crib and make their bed out of the crib mattress on the floor. Once they got used to that, then we put the mattress up on a bed. Or = just let them sleep in a low pack'n'play so if they do fall they are closer to the ground.
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