OK, here goes, how old is too old for a crib?

[veronica]

I'm asking on behalf of DH since he wants to take DD (just turned 3) out of the crib. I don't want to .....

Here is some background:

She is a great sleeper, does not even think to climb in or out of the crib and rarely fusses.

She has , however, started a new theme of not wantint to fall asleep right away and some afraid of the dark issues (which we solved with a night light).

So, now about 3 times a week, she starts asking for us (she has NEVER DONE THIS-not even as an infant) and will not got to sleep right away. This is why I really don't want to take her out of the crib until she asks. I think with this new trend she would be more likely to climb out of bed and come find us!!!! Ahhhhhh , what if I can't get to watch the new episode of House or something???

So-if it ain't broke , don't fix it (keep her in crib_
Or get her out so she can have a big girl bed (her drop-side comes off and then the crib is a "toddler" bed)

[brittone2]

Neither of my kids slept in a crib, but I'm of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. If the current system is working and everyone is happy with it, I would roll w/ it ;)

[lmintzer]

If it makes you feel any better, Joshua happily slept in his crib until one month before his 4th birthday. IMHO, kids transition very easily to beds when they are moved at a later age

[nfowife]

My DD just moved out of the toddler bed a few months after turning 3, and that was only because we moved and I didn't want to bring anything extra. So I just brought the toddler bed attachment. However, my DD was similar to yours- never tried to get out and loved the crib. And her bed is still fairly high with the toddler attachment and DD is afraid to get out on her own so she doesn't do that. BUT we have similar issues that you describe...my once perfect sleeper will protest going to sleep, must have 2 nightlights, an extended "family" of dolls, bears, and pillows (all in specific places) and 2 blankets arranged just right. We usually go in 2 times to deal with her and after that tell her no more. Did I mention she also must have 2 cups of water by her bedside and a single tissue? :wink2:

DS, on the other hand, is a wild child, at almost 2. I KNOW if we moved him to a toddler bed setup there is no way in heck he'd stay in. None whatsoever. I expect he will eventually try to climb out but he hasn't yet. When he does, I already have a crib tent ready to go! So that tells you I'm in no hurry to get him out anytime soon!

My plans are for both my kids to stay in their cribs (either in crib mode or toddler bed mode) for another year and a half until we move back to the states and then they will get their big kid furniture.

[carolinamama]

We moved DS1 to a bed right after Christmas so DS2 could have the crib. I wish I didn't have to - he loved his crib and did so well in it. Now he wakes up frequently at night and takes forever to fall asleep at night. I think the freedom is just too much for him after loving the secure confines of the crib. Keep her in it as long as you can. She won't take it to college with her.

[elephantmeg]

DH and I were discussing that last night. We have no plans to move DS. He climbed out once and hasn't since so he's staying!

[tny915]

We took the side off of DD's crib at around 3 years old. She could come out of bed if she wanted to, but it turns out she was so used to staying in bed that she'd still lie there and call for us.

We moved her into a twin bed at around 3.5, but she would've been perfectly happy staying in the crib for longer.

There's no rush, if you're not ready then don't move her.

[anamika]

DD slept in her crib till she was 3.5. So yeah, as long as they are happy, why mess with their sleep.
I had to move DD reluctantly b'cos she was constantly banging her head, arms, legs on the crib slats.

[o_mom]

DS1 was just over 3 and DS2 was 3.5. They transitioned super easy with no battles to keep them in. I expect DS3 to be in until 3 at least - we already have a crib tent on so he is used to it and never gets the idea that he can get out.

[StantonHyde]

As long as possible!! The only caveat to that is I have a friend who has 2 daughters and both of them started having fits about sleeping in the crib around 2.5 yrs. It took an hour to get them to sleep. She moved them to a bed and they went right to sleep. But if I were you, I would try to stick with the crib a little while longer.

[AngelaS]

My first was about 3.5 when she moved out and my last was 3ish too.

[happymomma]

I am also with others that say don't change it if she's fine. I was going to keep my almost 3 year old DD in the crib forever but she just decided that she didn't want to sleep in her crib anymore. So we just transitioned her to a twin bed. She loves it and is still sleeping well. Knock on wood. She doesn't get out until we come to get her. But I wouldn't move your DD unless they really wanted to.

[Melaine]

Mine are 27 months and GREAT sleepers and nappers. I am terrified to rock the boat by transitioning, so I plan to stick with the cribs as long as possible. Since she is getting older, maybe get a special quilt or blanket and pillow for her since she is getting to be a big girl?

[veronica]

She does have a pillow and new quilt and I have new sheets saved for the transition. Good to know that I have a lot of support on keeping things "as is" so I will go ahead and tell DH that I win this one, for now!

[Melaine]

One of my DDs fell out (climbed out) of her crib over Christmas. She seemed to be a little scared and it probably hurt, since her sleep sack prevents her from swinging a leg over (she must've fallen head first!). Anyway, she hasn't tried again since, so I was scared we'd be forced to switch but not yet! The longer it lasts the better; if they are out of their cribs, 'd be afraid to take a shower while they are napping which is my only chance to do so.

[Cam&Clay]

DS1 was 3 and a few months when he climbed out of the crib for the first time. He was tall enough to swing his leg over and climb down. At that point, I realized it was probably time. I had no intention of moving him until he starting trying to get out.

On the other hand, I have a friend whose family insists that every child move out of the crib by 18 months because they aren't babies anymore. Uh, WHAT? And she doesn't understand why her DD keeps getting out of bed and has all kinds of sleep issues. Oh, and by the age of 4, they get a loft bed.

[maestramommy]

I'm with you, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unless you need the crib for another baby. We will have to get Dora into a regular bed sometime in the next several months because we already have two cribs and I'm not getting a third. Otherwise she sleeps so well in it, and always reminds us to put up the gate:ROTFLMAO: She's perfectly capable of climbing out, but doesn't feel like it. She prefers us to come and get her still:p

[stefani]

DS probably would have stayed in his crib until he is 6 years old, but we are sending the crib for his cousin, who is due in June.

DS can climb in and out of it easily so we left the side of the crib (it can convert to a toddler bed) so we don't have to worry about him falling off.

I am very happy that his crib sleeping lasted so long :-)

[Mamma2004]

DS was FOUR when we moved him to a big boy bed. I think he would have happily stayed in his crib (and yes, without ever crawling out)...

Tell your DH to relax and let you all sleep!

[elaineandmichaelsmommy]

Here's a story for your dh. 2 winters ago while both dc were snuggled in their beds for naptime I got a knock on the front door. It was the police. Apparently the little boy across the street had gotten out of his house and gone for a walk while his mother was sleeping. I'm assuming that she'd put him down for a nap and then done the same herself.

He couldn't have been more than 2. Thankfully someone on our block saw him and called the authorities

DD stayed in her crib until she was almost 4. Ds will stay at least that long if not longer since he knows how to unlock the front door. DD was never interested in it.

[veronica]

Here's a story for your dh. 2 winters ago while both dc were snuggled in their beds for naptime I got a knock on the front door. It was the police. Apparently the little boy across the street had gotten out of his house and gone for a walk while his mother was sleeping. I'm assuming that she'd put him down for a nap and then done the same herself.

He couldn't have been more than 2. Thankfully someone on our block saw him and called the authorities

DD stayed in her crib until she was almost 4. Ds will stay at least that long if not longer since he knows how to unlock the front door. DD was never interested in it.

OMG-forget it, I am going to lock her in her room from now on! (JK....)

[kayte]

I am so glad you asked this.

DD turns three next Monday and is still happily sleeping in her crib. All of our friends who have kids her age all have their kids through the toddler bed thing and into big beds --but they have all had more children.

She really likes her crib. We all sleep well. I am just not in a rush. And I am glad I am not the only one!

[saschalicks]

DS1 was almost 3 when we moved him to a junior bed. We only did it to give the crib to a family friend who needed it.

DS2 OTOH was just past 2 b/c He liked his big bros bed so much that he asked to have one just like it.

Both of them never climbed out. I say why mess w/a good thing? Maybe take the side rail off and see if that solves any of your *problems*. GL

[trales]

I am so jealous.

At 21mo DD climbed up and over her crib, we had to take the side off. She does well but I can't nap anymore. She is a little escape artist. If I had my way she would have slept in that crib until college.

[DrSally]

I'm of the "ain't broke, don't fix it" camp too. Ds is also 3 and still in his crib. He sleeps great, although is outgrowing his nap. There is no way he would get any naps if he wasn't in his crib, since it takes him awhile to fall asleep. The crib really helps him feel "contained". DH also wants him to get into a bed so he can get up at night to pee. Well, DH, he can't pee unassisted yet, so how is that helpful? Now, he calls for us if he has to go. I don't really want him wandering around at night and trying to use the potty by himself if he can't even pull his pants down yet.

ETA: That's assuming they don't try to get out. If they're trying to get out on a reg basis, that would be my sign to move them. DS got out 2x, but I think it was on accident when he was upset. He has been really careful not to do it since and in general is very compliant.

[TraciG]

We kept DD in until almost 4. She never minded & never tried to climb out since I told her she would get hurt, she was to afraid to try .

[knaidel]

DS just turned 4 and his happily snuggled in his crib as I write this!
He has a toddler bed that we planned to transition him to, but he was never interested in. He sleeps in it for an occasional nap. I'm with MaestraMommy on this one though-- I'm NOT buying a third crib, so if/when a #3 is in the works, he'll be moved!