How to transition baby from crib to regular bed

Our child is almost two years old. We've been contemplating getting a child-sized bed (or a mattress on the floor) for him since the crib isn't very long and he's constantly hitting his head against the bars. Since his birth he has always slept in his crib. Nowadays, for his bedtime routine, we leave him in the crib when he's still fully awake. Sometimes, he falls straight asleep, but usually he protests by bouncing on the crib, playing with his crib toys or "talking" to himself for a little while before he finally falls asleep. This could last anywhere from 5 minutes to one hour. He knows how to open his bedroom door, so we're afraid that he will immediately jump out of bed and out of the room if we move him to a cot-bed that doesn't have bars to prevent him from getting out. Any suggestions on what we should do and when we should make the transition? Thanks.

Didy -


here is a thread that has suggestions -but these are from people who have had children who were crawling out of cribs - but I think a lot of the advice is very good.


Most people talk about making the new bed an inviting place - mattress on the floor is what we did, and get some cool sheets (Thomas the tank engine or the like) and getting the room established for him. initially to get him to stay in the bed may take a start chart or other things and incentives - but soon they go to their beds willingly.


My own daughter is one of the ones discussed on these threads - she is now 3, goes to bed in to her bed awake, and occasionally comes out to tell me something but most of the time lies in her bed talking to herself until she falls asleep.


Good luck


http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/momsdads/threads/99759.asp