climbing out of crib

Hi All! We have been using the cribs as a place for time outs for the girls (really just so that they will calm down when tantruming ... they don't do a whole lot to warrent a time out for discipline yet though I am seeing some sassy behavior here and there ...) and I have one who climbs out then. She doesn't climb out when I put them down to bed ... or naps ... even if it takes her an hour+ to fall asleep. The other has not climbed out yet. So, I bought the convertible crib rails for the cribs (we have the kind where the front comes off and it becomes a little daybed) and wonder if I should wait as long as possible (they still love to jump around and play in the cribs and they love their crib soothers ... I guess I could still manage to attach it somehow ...) or should I bite the bullet and go ahead and move them before #1 Meredith hurts herself and/or #2 it becomes "time" when I have a newborn waking me every 2 hours at night ... What do you all think? I think I fear the toddler bed =) My girls aren't the kind that I think will wreak havoc in the room ... but I think they will get out of bed and bang on the door and cry ... which ... is so hard for me ... any tips or words of wisdom?

TIA!!!

 

Well, we moved to beds right after they turned 2. Nap time Royce sleeps in a pack and play in our room while Alice sleeps in a bed. So you might have to do something like that. And you might want to find a new place for time outs.

 

I would just find a new time out spot and leave the cribs for naps and nights.

 

We also have a separate place for time outs. We moved to toddler beds right around 2. I was more concerned with them falling out of the crib than getting up in the night. :hug:

 

Cooper did the same thing the other day. We usually use a booster seat (DD refuses to seat in hers to eat) in the dining room (it's on the floor) for TO's. However, the other day Cooper had such a tantrum ....45 minutes long. I was really afraid he was going to hurt himself. So, I put him in his crib until he calmed down. About 10 minutes into it, I notice the cry got louder. So, I went in and sure enough he was on top of the rail. That is the first time he has ever tried climbing out and I know it was because he was so upset and mad. I do not have any plans on taking him out of his crib just yet. That did make me aware of the fact that I should not put him in his crib for a TO or to chill out or whatever. From now on if he is that upset and I can't use the booster (for safety reasons), I will put him in a PNP. It has taller sides and is lower to the ground.

 

I agree, I would find a new time out spot and just have cribs for naps and bedtime. :good:

My DD climbed out of her crib at 2y2m and I was not ready for that. I decided to just move her to a bed and it went pretty well. She actually has never gotten out of her bed in the night or morning, she still just lays in there and calls for me. If you switch to beds, just be sure to go over the rules of them. The first few nights are tough since they know they have some new freedom, but they usually get used to it pretty quickly.

 

We have crib tents and love them - the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they are safe and will not be getting out to get into trouble while we are sleeping is priceless. I don't think I will ever sleep through the night again once they move to toddler beds. Plus, they LOVE their crib tents. They like to help us close them up every night.

We have always had a separate place for time outs, so maybe you could try that, too?

 

I think the easiest thing would be to find a new spot for timeouts. You could put them in their room (childproof it well!), but not in the crib for instance.

If you decide to convert the cribs, it might not be as bad as you think. We just converted our cribs to toddler beds and the transition has been fine. The first 2 nights both twins STTN. The 3rd night DS got out 3 times in a 20 minute span before falling asleep. Naps are a little tougher for DS. I've been letting him stay up a tad later than normal before putting him down for his nap and I'm holding him until he falls asleep. (It takes 5 minutes.) I'm going to phase the holding out after a week. DD has had no issues with naptime or bedtime at all.