[dmwinge]

We got Alek a toddler bed at a garage sale and just have to get the other (his new) bedroom organized so that it's safe for him to be in there. He's in his crib in our room still. My question, since so many have already done it, how did you do it?

[STL_Beth]

We just did his normal routine but tucked him in his new bed instead. Tried to get out a few times, so we would go back in and tuck him back in. Only took a few days of that and then he stayed in when we tucked him in. No problems since.

[KiwiMommy]

Ashlynn had already been in my bed since birth and knew not to get out/down, so I just did her normal routine then put her in her own bed. Occasionally she came to bed with me or I'd go in the room to see her in my bed, but that slowly stopped.

[dmwinge]

My biggest problem is that he won't lay down in his crib, unless I'm in there. The minute I walk out, you'd think the world has ended and he's screaming bloody murder and won't settle down until I'm back in there. I actually have to lay down next to his crib or he won't lay down. I've tried slowly moving closer to the door each night, but he catches on WAY to fast and it's back to square one. I tried making it darker, turning his music on, giving him a sippy of water. He doesn't have a lovie and usually throws his little pillow and his blanket out. I REALLY want him to go to sleep on his own without me in his room so that when we do switch him out of our room, it will be a lot easier.

[KiwiMommy]

I went through that with Ash when I decided I was tired of going to bed when she did. Granted she was a lot younger (8 months? Maybe? I can't really remember) but it really did take a lot of soothe, back up and stay within view, come back if she cries, soothe her, back up, repeat repeat repeat.. She got tired eventually.
We did it when we first put her in her own bedroom too, except I could leave the room..just had to come back in a LOT at first.
Takes work, time, and a whole lot of patience..but if you stay persistent, eventually he'll realize he won't spontaneously implode the second you leave his sight at bedtime

[dmwinge]

I found a video monitor at a garage sale this weekend for $7 and it works. We were playing around with it and it's got a great picture and a great sound. At least I'll be able to see if he wakes up in the middle of the night when we move him into his own room and is playing with toys or something