When's too early for a big bed?

[Bianca_Louise]

our second child will be 2 when our third is born.

I'm thinking of doing one of two things 1. Putting our 2yo straight into her big bed once the baby is born or 2. Putting the baby in the porter cot for six months, then swapping them over.

or at 2-2.5 is she too young for a big bed?

I've bought a bedrail (safety first brand)

I really don't want to have to buy another cot and I can't remember when our 5yo went into a bed

[rissigirl]

my first daugther went into her big bed for day sleeps just after she turned two (i had the same safety rail) by the time DD#2 was born (she was 2yrs 4 mths) she was sleeping in it t night time too, i didn't want her to feel like she was being kicked out once baby was born IYKWIM?

i guess it depends also on if you think she will climb out?

i think a porta cot would be annoying for a NB, so far to bend down to pick them up, unless you have the bassinet insert for it?

[Astrolady]

Both my boys went into a big bed on their 2nd birthday. So definitely not too young.

Love

[Trish]

Both of my younger 2 got their beds for their second birthday's, if I remember right a few weeks prior to it. Just make sure you get a safety rail. And I would also make the transition prior to bub being born if you can, even if it's just by a few weeks. That way your little one doesn't feel like it's being pushed out of the cot for the baby too

Goodluck.

[Bianca_Louise]

we have the bassinet inser for the porter cot, but i have a bad back and still find it a pain.

But trying the day sleeps before the bub is born sounds like a great idea thanks

[LG]

Well My nearly 2yo spent his first night in a single bed last night and he was soooo proud of himself (so was i). We made a fuss of him and he helped to pack the cot away and put it in the other room for the new baby, and went shopping all together and he chose his quilt cover and sheets, then he helped me make his bed up. I was surprised that he actually slept ALL NIGHT in there, and wasn't even in a hurry to get up when he woke up. Usually (well i mean every night lately) he ends up in bed with us at some point during the night.
Oh, we've also had one side off the cot for a few months now so he's been used to being able to get in and out by himself.
Good luck!!

[aussienic]

My first son was 2 and a half my 2nd went into a big bed at 16 months and we moved our 3rd son into a toddler bed at 20 months.

It takes them a little getting used to but they get there. My 2nd son was awesome though.. He slept right thru from the first night. my first and third took longer.. Still have some issues with our 3rd son coming out at night but I use my mummy voice and he usually stays put..

just a tip though.. if you are going to move your chld it might be better to do it before the new baby comes

[MantaRay]

We put DS1 into a bed a couple of months before DS2 was born. DS1 was 16 -17 months when we did it. We also use a bedrail although I'm not sure we still need it. We didn't have any problems with him going into a bed at that age. He chose his own linen and we sat on the bed for bedtime story for a couple of nights before moving him into the bed. We also made a big deal of the "big boy bed". Then on night 3 we asked him where he wanted to sleep and he said "bed". He went down without any fuss and slept through the night. From time to time since he has gone through phases which last a week or so, where he will get out a couple of times before staying put. And one phase lasted 3 or 4 weeks and just finished, where he would get out of bed during his day time sleep. But we are back on track now, and overall the transition was easy.

[Patooties]

My eldest was 20 months when she started sleeping in the big bed. The bed had been in her room for quite a while - and we initially started with day time sleeps. (i think she liked it because we could lay in the bed with her for a cuddle )

[Jodie259]

My son is going to be 18 months old (exactly) when #2 comes along for us. I've had the same dilemma as I didn't want to get a 2nd cot.

I did a post a while ago... (What age to go into a bed??) and asked for advice. A few of those mums said that 18 months was okay.

I've bought my son a car bed, so it has sides on it so he can't fall out. My concern is that he will crawl out to play with his toys. But then, that could happen any time - and probably moreso as he got older!.

So I've decided to put my son in his big bed around 15 months old... so he has 3 months to get used to it before baby cames along. Some people suggested I use the big bed for day sleeps to start with. I'll see how he goes. Maybe he will adapt really well. I know it will be easier for me to lie down with him when he is upset. At the moment I'm on the floor with my hands through the cot bars trying to pat him.

[Visitor7]

At the moment I'm on the floor with my hands through the cot bars trying to pat him.

aaawwww how cute!
I plan on trying Nina in a big bed from around 15 months as well.

A friend of mine has a 2.5 year old, and she just put him in the big bed without any warning, and as you'd imagine, he hated it! It's been 4 months now and he screams blue murder every night for hours cause he doesn't want to go to bed. I think taking small steps with them is important.

[mbear]

My DD#1 went into a big bed at 28 months...so nearly 2.5.
Im expecting #3 and DD#2 will only be 18/19 months....personally i feel this is too early, but with bubs being in a bassinett in our room for at least 8-12 weeks, hopefully i have that 'problem' covered too !!

HTH

[becky23]

My son has been in a low to the ground big bed since he was 13mths he sleeps better in it as he knows he can get to us if he wants too

[Adnil]

We put Em into her big bed 2 months ago at 18 months old. IT has a bed rail. The transition went great! Especially the first few weeks - she never even got out. Now she'll get out & come to our bed during the night, but I take her back. The good part is that to settle her I just climb into her bed with her - much more comfy than reaching into a cot!!

[Tracey]

DD#1 went into a bed at about 18months & never got out... DD#2 hates the bed & will ONLY lay in it if we do, even though it's a bottom double bunk I have tried her sleeping in there with DD#1, but she screams & gets out, she will play on it but wont lay down...

Thankfully I have just received an Amby hammock from a great friend & I will use this when Zyon arrives in a months time as I have stopped trying to get Indah into the bed.

I cannot believe the difference from DD#1 & DD#2! ! was placid #2 is so stubborn!?? hee hee