Crib vs bed

[Karen]

I am seeking more advice:) I hope I am responding to others at least as much as I am asking for help here!! Your opinions and experience are so helpful.

So, today's dilemma is the switch from the crib to a bed. Our dd is 2yr 4mo, and is happily still in her crib, loaded with stuffed animals. She isn't asking about a bed or trying to climb out, although I'm sure she could if she wanted to. I was planning on just waiting till whenever she brings it up, thinking that at least she's contained in the crib, but here are some other factors. In about 4-6 mo, we hope to be moving into a house - right now we're in an apartment. I don't think it would be a good idea to do the switch at the same time as the move...The other smaller factor is that it would make traveling to relatives and/or being in hotel rooms easier if she was in a bed. (Then, there's the mil, strongly suggesting we need to do this...but that doesn't worry me...!:rolleyes:

What did you all do about this?

Thanks!

[RCT]

Hi Karen....I have to say I hated seeing my kids go to the bed...LOL....ds stayed in his crib...happily, and never climbed out until he was almost 4...YIKEs I know....dd on the other hand wanted out and climbed out at 19 months....so if your daughter is happy in her crib....keep her there...as far as hotels go...they will bring a crib down if you can call ahead, or wait a few minutes for them to wrangle one up....Maybe you could wait until you move into your new home and then think about it? good luck on your decision....

[AnnW]

Why move her? She's happy. She might really like to have her crib for "comfort" when ya'll move. You can always set up both a big girl bed and the crib when you move. Like Renee said, you can ask for a crib at a hotel. I would just smile and your mil and say "she likes her crib, so we don't see any reason to rush it". My ds was in his crib till 4 and dd till 3.

[Amy2]

With ds, I wanted to move him out of his crib pretty early because I was expecting another baby, and I didn't want him to feel like he was being pushed out of his bed, so we got him a big boy bed and started by napping him in the big bed, and putting him down at night in the crib. After a day or two, he was over the crib completely. I agree with the advice that if she's happy in the crib, let her stay. We always bring a porta crib with us on vacations, which are easy and great, and yes, many hotels will get you a crib if you ask.

Amy

[Diane]

We left all of our girl's in their cribs until THEY showed an interest in moving to a "big girl bed". Dd #1 was only about 2, Dd #2 was about 3 and Dd #3 was about 3-1/2. I was never in a big "rush" to change them from a crib to a bed because then I'd always have to deal with the problem of trying to keep them IN bed. None of them were ever climbers... so when they were in their cribs they always stayed in them until I would come to take them out. In a bed it was a constant battle trying to keep them IN bed.. ugh!!! I say keep them in there as long as you can. LOL Good luck!

Diane...

[netmechwife]

We had to move our 1st into a bed when he was 15 mos to make room for baby #2. He loves his bed. (right now a crib mattress on the floor because his toddler bed frame broke... another story...) But if we had the choice I would have left him in longer.

I would wait until she is ready and especially until after you are settled into your new home.

Ignore your mil... lol (I have a hard time ignoring mine but I know I need to...)