Hunter just turned 2 years old in May and I had been going back and forth about the transition from crib to bed. At first I wanted him to be set and staying well in his bed before Zoe and him began sharing a room (which they are not yet doing). Then I thought it would be better if he was still in his crib so that his sister wouldn’t be disturbed as much by him. Knowing that he can climb out and has once in the past was what got my mind going. I settled on waiting. He slept well for the most part. We’d been having some nap wars, but bedtime was still good.
Then we went on vacation and we decided to give him the option of a big boy bed or the pack n play, which he’s slept in many times before. Of course, he chose the big boy bed. Something new and exciting!! We talked with him about how he had to stay in his bed until mommy or daddy gets him after he wakes. He did surprising well, only getting out of bed twice. The first time was in the morning – he was sitting on the ground with a pillow reading a book. Pretty cute.
The second was this.
It cracks me up every time!
When I got him after that nap I asked him where he slept and he told me in his bed. Little does he know I have proof of what really went on.
When we got home he was not excited about being in his crib and began climbing out, so we took the side of the crib off and turned it into a day bed.
Bedtime has been great. Every time Jacob or I put him down to bed we remind him that he needs to stay in bed until mommy or daddy gets him. He goes down with not much fuss and is still in his bed in the morning.
Nap time is another story. He does not stay in his bed, even with the same bedtime talk. He jumps on his bed, jumps off his bed, finds toys, finds books, poops in his diaper (so I have to change it), wanders around his room, knocks on the door… everything except staying in his bed and napping. He eventually falls asleep, but it takes a good hour to two hours sometimes. He fell asleep on the ground twice and another time came out of his room (I had left the door slightly ajar after checking on him) after waking.
He napped at my mom’s house earlier this week and stayed in bed, although he only took about a 45 minute nap. Since these nap wars began I am happy with any sort of nap so I’ll gladly take a 45 minute nap over none.
It’s just so strange that he does great at bedtime, but the opposite at naps. He’s only been in his big boy bed at home for 4 days now, so I’ll just wait and see what happens over the next few weeks. Maybe the newness will wear off and he’ll oblige his mother? All in all I am pretty happy that we haven’t had any screaming fits or major issues. He really likes his bed and I like that he was a smooth transition. Naps excluded.
Is this normal transition nap resistance? Any nap time advice? When did your kiddo make the switch from crib to bed?
Heather