Thinking of making the switch to big boy beds

I always said I'd keep my boys in cribs as long as I could, but something has gotten in the way...my big ole' preggo belly! My boys are going through a bad sleep phase, and I end up having to go into their room to get them in and out of their cribs sometimes 5-6 times a night (or more :unsure between the two of them. I'm having more and more trouble lugging their 35lb bodies out of the cribs as my pregnancy advances, and I think the time may have come to make the switch to big boy beds.

I know I might be crazy to make the switch when they already have sleep problems, but I think part of the problem is that they're fed up with their cribs. All they talk about is wanting big boy beds! I figure their sleep problems can't get much WORSE than they already are (some nights I get only 3-4 hours sleep), so we might as well make the switch so we don't have to sleep train twice. I've had a lot of trouble making CIO stick this time around because they're older and want specific things - a cup of water, a new diaper, etc. - and it's hard to ignore their pleas knowing they might be uncomfortable.

So...am i crazy? Will making the switch now just make everything worse, or is there an ever-so-slight possibility that they might be so thrilled with their beds they'll sleep a wee bit better? One thing I want to make sure of is that we don't lose naps. Now that I'm pregnant (and not sleeping well at night) I absolutely NEED that quiet time during the day. Others' stories about their kids ceasing to nap once they get big boy beds scares me.

Help! I need a pep talk!

 

My kids switched around the same age yours are now. We were very successful. We got them psyched up for the transition. I'm sure some people might disagree with me but I made deals with them. I told them we'd agreed to let them sleep in big kid beds if they behaved like big kids. They promised that they would be good and they have not disappointed. There have been occasions where they start to get rowdy and I remind them that we'll go back to the cribs if they don't behave. We don't have cribs anymore but they don't know that. Usually the stern threat is good. As long as you are consistent with other things, my kids thought that they would really lose their big kid beds. There were a few rough nights where I would have to remind them to quiet down or stop jumping on the bed but it is rare.

I am glad we made the change. My kids love being treated like big kids. We combined the transition with additional responsibility in other areas. They help make their beds (I ask them to lay the blanket down and put the pillow at the top). They are able to remove their plates from the table after meals and put them on the counter near the sink. They help me take the laundry out of the dryer. There are so many little tasks that they relate to being a big kid and having a big kid bed.

Oh, and yes, we still take naps. They sometimes tell us that they aren't tired but we tell them that they need to have quiet time even if they aren't sleeping. They usually fall asleep anyway. Sometimes my DD will lay in bed awake during nap time but she does get reminded that it is quiet time if I hear any noise out of their room.

 

Thanks for the feedback, Lisa. It makes me feel much better to hear how smoothly your transition went. We've been trying the bribery for a while now, telling them that they can't get their big boy beds until they can sleep all night in their cribs without crying for mommy, but all it's done is make them more impatient for the big boy beds! I'll definitely keep trying to make deals in an attempt to keep them in their new beds, and I'm keeping one crib set up anyway for the new baby, so I can always use that for a threat!

Any other opinions?

 

This was only for my singleton, but I bought him a big boy bed for his 2nd birthday and it worked great! For weeks before then he would cry for hours before falling asleep, pointing at my room and saying "bed". He would wake up multiple times in the middle of the night, I'd go check on him, and he'd stand there crying saying "bed". I wanted him to stay in the crib longer, but I couldn't handle it. So we moved him to the big boy bed. When he took his first nap, probably 5 minutes later he was out in the living room. I told him he was not allowed to get out of his bed until after his nap or he'd go back in the crib. That made a big impression. He never got out of his bed on his own for 2 years after that. (Of course this won't be as likely with 2 in there, but I bet it will work fine).

 

I'm starting to feel waaay better about making the transition - thanks ladies! I think they're definitely ready, and maybe this will actually help our sleep situation.

 

I don't think you're crazy at all! We actually made the switch at 16 months when mine started climbing out on their own. The very first nap went like a dream and all else has followed. From day 1, they never had issues. Of course, they are pretty good sleepers..11 to 12 hrs at night and usually a good 2-3 hr nap in the afternoon. Actually they loved the big beds and now at 20 months, we are transitioning to an actual twin-sized bed w/o the box spring because Ella tends to move around so much and hang off of her toddler bed. So I guess we'll be going through this at the same time! Good luck!