[Banned-magicalthinking]

So, right now both DD and DS are in cribs. When this baby arrives DD will be just shy of 2 1/2. We're thinking of getting a toddler bed for her, and putting the baby in her crib. So, question, is this too young? And when should we make the change for her? Or should we just buy a third crib? The other two are convertiable cribs.

[mamatomany]

I say transition to a toddler bed. That's a great age for it! Just make sure to do it a couple months before baby to get her settled and in a new routine.

[Lynn87]

No 2 1/2 is not too young. Ds was in a toddler bed at 14 months because we needed crib for dd1. He did fine we just made a little pillow pad by his bed incase he rolled off. DD1 was in a toddler bed at 20 months. We plan to switch Liv to toddler bed bout 18 months or so. I would make the transition a few months before baby is expected to arrive so she doesn't feel displaced by the baby.

[Nyzira]

We completely skipped the toddler bed. Annabelle has been in a regular twin-sized bed since she was about 18 months-ish. We bought a couple of rails that are on the bed but I think we're about ready to try taking them off.

Long story short, 2 1/2 isn't too young at all. And like was said, transitioning to the bed a few months before baby arrives is ideal.

My DD turned 2 in March and has been in a toddler bed for a couple months. She did great from day 1. I say go for it!

[H_Hplus1]

My 20 month old is in a crib but keeps climbing in his older brothers bed to sleep. He's ready now but I'm not. The youngest I put a LO in a toddler bed was a year and she had no issues at all. It doesn't hurt to try and see

[Papasgirl]

My lilly just turned 2 and LOVES her crib...im not messing with it! I guess it all depends on the child

[Rebelmommy]

While I no longer have toddlers when I got pregnant with DD Tierney , my DD Rhiana was just turning one, and we were in a very small apartment so when we made the move to the bigger house (I was about 5 1/2 months preggo) we set Rhiana up in a toddler bed in her new room, this way we could have the crib for Tierney and Rhi had a few months to get used to her bed before Tierney was born (this way we felt she would not feel like she had to give up her crib for the new baby, or that the new baby was taking "her spot") It worked fine for us.

Then when I DS Talon, DD Tierney was just a bit over 18 moths and we moved her into a toddler bed around 14 months so that once again she did not feel that the new baby was replacing her

Edited for pregnancy brain issues with punctuation and spelling

[whahn624]

I think that is a perfect age for the transition. My DD1 was in a toddler bed at about 18 months, basically this was her cribbed dropped at the lowest with the front side off. Then by 2.5 she was in a full size twin trundle bed. She did great!

[martilynne]

My DS is 18 months and he is still loving his crib. I don't see him transitioning any time soon.

[sarah*]

I would transition to a toddler bed also, all my children went to toddler beds just before their 2nd birthday and they did so well we had two cribs when we had the girls (12 months apart) then when lucas was due i just put eldest daughter (2.5) in a toddler bed and gave my son her crib.. it worked out really well!

[stephanieaehenley]

my 21 month old is in a toddler bed in his own room and he has been in the toddler bed since he was 15 months old, he loves it !!

[Mom2twolittlemen]

I was just like you! We did the switch over about two months before my due date with Nathan and he was 2.5. He did excellent.at the time our money was tight so it worked out well! I say do the switch!

I feel there is a huge maturity and understanding difference between 18 months and 2.5 . They can understand a lot more!

[Glowlilac]

Thanks for asking this, I was wondering about it too.

[Deimoska]

2 1/2 is OK for the transition. None of my kids were in toddler beds. My DS1 has been in normal bed since 2 1/2, DD even earlier - since 2.

[MountainMomma]

I didn't ever use actual toddler beds. First we just tossed a twin size mattress on the floor so that we didn't have to worry about them falling out of bed. When they were little older we actually set up the bed. We didn't have to invest in a couple of beds that way.

Definitely make the transition BEFORE the baby comes.

[Banned-magicalthinking]

Thanks for all the advice ladies! DBF and I talked it over, DD is going to be moved into one of our spare rooms (right now her and DS share), and DS will probably be with new baby, we haven't decied that yet. So when we move her into her new room, we're going to set up a new bed for her. Hoping that might make it easier. She gets to "help" decorate (picking out new bedding, ect).

Originally Posted by MountainMomma

I didn't ever use actual toddler beds. First we just tossed a twin size mattress on the floor so that we didn't have to worry about them falling out of bed. When they were little older we actually set up the bed. We didn't have to invest in a couple of beds that way.

That's exactly what my mom did with each of us! I asked her when she thought I should put DD into a toddler bed (prior to my getting pregnant) and she goes "Toddler, what? Just put a mattress on the floor and toss some pillows around the floor and you're done". I actually remember sleeping on a mattress on the floor until my brother was born...I'm not sure if I kept falling out or my mom didn't see the point of setting up a real bed for me. And now, when I get far along in pregnancy, I have to sleep on a mattress on the floor or I can't sleep.