We have just completed Isaac's transition to a big boy bed. As I said, it is a process in our house. The first step was talking about when it would happen. When we were talking up potty training, I would explain that once he could keep his undies clean and dry then he could sleep in his big boy bed. (There is no reason to move a child sooner to a big bed if you ask me.) Once I realized that he was on his way to being potty trained, we started talking more specifics. I told him stories at bedtime about a little boy who moved to a big boy bed and what his #1 rule was. Then I reviewed this rule with him until he memorized it. This is the easy part for him since he and Hannah are my rule reciters and followers being the first born boy and girl of the family. (Don't get me wrong, Genna is very obedient, but not for the sake of the rule.) Our #1 rule for sleeping in a big boy bed is, "Never ever get out of bed without Mommy or Daddy there." He has to call for us when he wakes up. (For those wondering, this rule goes away once they are closer to 4 years old.) Anyway, we continued to recite the rule, and I always have him tell others his #1 rule when he moves to a big boy bed just as an extra way to practice. Next we talked about where his crib would go. He liked this part as well since it is going to be his first gift to Speck, his already thoroughly loved baby brother. Next step is to tell him the exact time he will be making the transition so he is ready and expecting it. Preparing kids is so key in getting them to go with the flow and not be caught off guard. Anytime I forget to prepare them for something, I always pay for it in the end. Another good idea when making this transition is to make the first time he sleeps in his big boy bed at night when he is less likely to fight sleep. Naps at this age do occasionally get skipped and that is no way to start off this new experience. I told Isaac, "Tomorrow night you are going to sleep in your big boy bed." We talked some more about it and our #1 rule. He was concerned about falling off so I explained we would put up a rail which he quickly renamed a "blump," his new favorite made up word.
When it came time for sleeping in his big boy bed we got in his new bed together and pointed out all the same things that were in his crib are now in his big bed to make him feel cozy, recited rule #1, and did our normal routine. He did great and called for me in the morning. He started sleeping in his big boy bed the night of Mother's Day. We have had no problems as of yet.
Now, if your baby/toddler does not like his crib or won't sleep well in it, don't expect to follow these steps and have magic happen. Don't fool yourself, a baby that won't sleep in a crib will do no better in a bed. The only reason a child would prefer to go to sleep in a big bed is because they have no boundaries and feel confident they can get out whenever they please. My advice is fix your sleep issues before moving them into a big bed. If they are little Houdinis, escaping out of the crib, buy a crib tent if you have to. But really and truly the best way to teach a baby to sleep and self sooth is to do it when you have all the control, meaning they can not move yet. More on that and other transitions when Speck makes his big transition from his peaceful, warm womb to this loud, bright world and the sleep training begins...again!
Isaac is not a happy camper because his mean mommy barged in when nap time was over and forced a camera on him. He was not ready for a picture.
This corner is where his crib was and where his train table will be when we return from our trip to Texas. Hint, hint, Husband!
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