Crib to toddler bed transition

We made the transition from cribs to toddler beds almost a week ago. (convertible cribs) Naptime is the problem. They are out of the beds constantly. The room is childproof, so that isn't the issue. DS actually would like to go to sleep, but DD won't leave him alone. I totally thought it would be the other way around. DD is up constantly and won't settle down for anything. I have been going in every 5 minutes and resettling them (not talking to them though). After about an hour of DD being all over the place she is so tired that she just cries and cries. DS will either be asleep or at least trying to get there. What can I do to help with naptime. Once they are asleep there isn't an issue of any type. Bedtime is okay. It takes them a little to settle, but DD never gets up when put to bed at bedtime. Why is that? I really would appreciate it if anyone who have been through this can give any advice. I don't want to spank her for getting up so today I took everything except a little pillow, blanket and one stuffed animal. She eventually lost the stuffed animal because she wouldn't settle down. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

Separate them for nap time. It's the only thing that saved nap in our house. They took turns napping in Mommy's bed. Thankfully they never fought about who's turn it was for Mommy's bed or to sleep with us at night.

 

I would also suggest to seperate them. When we went from cribs to beds I had to put one in my room and the other got to stay in their own bed. Mine were about 27/28mths when we went from cribs to beds. The other thing that I did (which it sounds like you are doing) is taking away their stuffed animals and blankets (they weren't aloud to have toys in their bed). So for everytime I had to go in to their room the got a warning the first time then the next time I would take away a stuffed animal, then another stuffed animal, the last thing would be their favorite blanket that they needed to sleep with. But I did take that away sometimes too but usually gave it back after they settled down and were listening. It took about a month to get our naps regular again after switching to beds.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't sure how long to expect this transition to take. Is a month pretty standard? If that is the case, it has only been a week tomorrow, so they are doing pretty good. It amazes me that bedtime is not like naptime. DD is asleep rather quickly. We do have a darkening shade on the window that we use for naptime, but maybe some of it is just because she knows the difference. Again I appreciate the suggestions and am definately willing to accept more!

 

We just moved our boys (20 months) to toddler beds this last week too. Nighttime they give us NO problem. Naptime was a different story. We actually had to stay in their room until they fell asleep. Two of those days they didn't want to sleep at all. Yesterday however, we got rid of the crib/toddler beds and put the mattresses on the floor. They LOVE IT. No problems at bedtime and no problem at naptime today either. It was great. They can lay next to eachother and "gibber jabber" to eachother. It took them a total of MAYBE ten minutes to fall asleep. We did have to go in twice to put them back in bed but it wasn't anything like before. So anyway my suggestion is either staying in the room with them (seperating was not an option for us because we only have a two bedroom apartment and they don't have access to our room normally so when they are in there they think it is "playtime") or maybe even trying the mattress on the floor thing and lay them next to eachother and see how that goes. Good luck!

Keri

 

ok, well off and on it goes ok to get my twins down for a nap, but the last two days have been terrible. We all end up crying and upset and it's taken at least 1 hour both days to get them to fall asleep. I know they're tired so that's not the problem. They aren't really attached to any particular stuffed animals or blankets so I don't think that would help if I took them away. I have tried spanking when they get up, staying in the room, reading stories, singing, shutting their door, and nothing seems to help. They so get each other going and wouldn't nearly be as difficult if there was only 1. I can't afford to seperate them right now b/c we are having another baby soon and they need to get over this thing b/c they are going to share a room forever! I feel like the worst mom b/c nothing I try seems to be working. please Help