Is it time for a toddler bed?

Scarlett has never been fond of sleeping in a crib or pack and play. Although, she has gotten used to it, she certainly does not like to be confined. Cribs are necessary for safety but do have “baby jail” effect to them with the bars. At 15 months, she is officially into toddler hood. She can walk (although shaky at times), she can climb, and she’s beginning to prefer furniture that is sized to her. She has a futon and a chair that she enjoys regularly.

At night, she will lie down on my bed with a bottle and drink it until she falls asleep. She will even put her pacifier into her mouth when she finishes the bottle.

While this system may go against “the baby books.” Here’s a tip. Go with what works for you. My child has always been a challenge at night. This works. The one element she doesn’t really care for is being put “down” into the crib. If I eliminate this. I think I can get her to fall asleep on her own in a small bed.

All things considered, I think it may be time for a toddler bed.

I’ve narrowed down 3 signs of physical independence that make a new bed a real possibility

1. She can climb and walk. Now, I have to figure out how to confine her if in the event she would wake up and get out of bed (although the bed would have sides).

2. She drinks s bottle/cup on her own. This means, her self soothing skills are developing strongly.

3. She is communicative. She can tell me if she wants to watch tv. If she needs a diaper. Basically, she can communicate her needs.

Although, there are some baby websites that tell me to wait until 3 or 4. That seems like the time I would be planning fora big girl bed. I’m sure there is nothing wrong with keeping her in a crib until then but that would be quite a battle of wills and not a necessary one.

As much as I don’t want to admit it, she is growing up quickly and the baby years are fading to new and exciting territories. I may not be ready for this new stage but it appears to be in her best interest. Afterall, to inhibit my childs’ development would be terrible and selfish. We can’t see what she can do until we test some limits and push the boundaries.

 

 

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