transitioning out of the crib

I had planned to keep the girls in their cribs until they were 3 because they seemed happy and showed no interest in climbing out. But, now Karina is having some major sleep issues due to being scared (we think she had a nightmare). After a week of hysteria with her, I've finally convinced her to sleep on her crib mattress on the floor. The problem is that she keeps rolling off. It wakes her up and then she's shouting for me and is frightened to go back to sleep again. I was up 5 times last night (although one time was because of a thunder storm). I'm exhausted. Will she learn how to sleep on the mattress without falling off? Do all kids fall off a lot at first and then get better at staying on the bed?

 

My co-worker had the same issue. He used a toddler bed rail and slipped it under between the floor and mattress. I heard it worked wonders!

 

Definitely get a toddler bed rail, it works great! :hug:

 

i've heard of some people using those water noodles under the sheet on each side??

 

How many nights has she been sleeping on the mattress? Both my kids fell out a couple of times the first couple of nights, but then never again after that. So if it's just been one night, hopefully she's over it. If not, then a toddler bed rail sounds like a great idea.

Also, this is counter-intuitive and probably not something you want to try, but she may learn faster if she's higher up. Both my kids fell out of regular twin-size beds. They were NOT happy about it (especially Amy who landed on her wooden stepstool ), but maybe their instinctive "don't fall out" reflex got activated more quickly.

 

I think the first week both of mine fell out. the next week I don't think there were any falls. Our toddler beds do have a half rail, but they are doing great now. good luck.

 

I wasn't planning to transition mine out of the cribs until 3 either because they seemed so happy (well, maybe not my daughter). Then my son got out and it was all over so I converted the cribs to the toddler/day bed. The railings didn't really work with it because there is not box spring and I didn't want to spend $80 a piece for the wood toddler railing that goes with the crib. I bought these bed bumpers that go under the sheets and they work GREAT! You can get them in different lengths and then use them in a bed as well. They also can be packed for travel. I did buy the sheets, but I needed new sheets anyway.

http://www.gobedbug.com/

 

Thanks for all the replies. She seems to be doing better now. Karina fell halfway out this morning, but it was 6:15, so she pretty much made it all night. We're also making good progress on her sleep issues. Annelise slept on the mattress on the floor for one night and never fell out, but the next night she wanted to sleep back in her crib. Go figure!