Evan's Big Boy Bed

Alex transitioned into his "big boy bed" several months ago, several days after he started climbing out.  He stays in bed all night (with the help of a pool noodle under his sheet to keep him from rolling out).  We took the front rail off of his crib to transform it into his toddler bed.  Evan has been able to crawl out of his crib for 2 years, but doesn't typically try to do so.  Recently, he started trying to climb out shortly after waking, so we decided to let him try a "big boy bed" as well. We went through a few phases to get him ready for this.

Phase 1 - Evan had been held or rocked to sleep since birth.  We rarely laid him down so he never put himself to sleep.  A month before transition, I placed him in his crib and had to keep laying him back down each time he sat up.  We did this for 10 - 20 minutes as I said "night night" until he stayed down.  This took about 2 weeks to get him used to laying down without sitting up or trying to climb out of bed.

Phase 2 - Evan sleeps much more erratically than Alex and needed something more sturdy (and less harmful if bitten) than a pool noodle.  I ordered him an expensive wedge that is made for the bed to keep kids from rolling out.  We placed this in his crib for about 10 days before taking down the rail to get him used to having it next to him.

Phase 3 - We took down the crib rail!  Evan helped daddy with the drill while Alex inspected the work. We started a routine every night to go straight to the bed, crawl in, and lay down.  Lights go out & doors are closed.

The first two nights Evan rolled out of bed and slept on the pillows I had placed directly in front of his crib.  He had a bad diaper one of those nights so I think it woke him up.  I adjusted the crib wedge further in so it couldn't be pushed over and he has not fallen out since! 

He is such a big boy now.  He walks right in so proud of his bed and snuggles in waiting for me to cover him up.  He does not get out of bed in the morning, either.  He usually waits for me to get Alex so Alex can come wake him up.  Both of my boys are now in toddler beds!