22 Months Apart

My boys were 20 months apart and when the second was born, he slept in a bassinet for about 4 months- by the time I needed to put him in a crib the older one was ready for a toddler bed- they actually shared a room at the time so that was challenging as well when I needed to feed the baby. But the oldest got used to it.
Actually it is a great age difference, the oldest was pretty independent but not yet old enough to get really jealous and they are now really close and love having someone to always play with. Lot of diapers to change in the beginning, though :)

My boys are 21 months apart and I too stressed!! I kept my son in a crib. What we did was buy a second crib that changed to a toddler bed from IKEA and put that in my older sons "big boy" room Then when he was ready( a few months later) we switched it to a bed. The crib/bed was around 150.00 and now the younger child will use the bed portion.

My sons were born 22 months apart. I kept my son in his crib and I had my baby in a bassinet in my room for a few months. Then we put the oldest one in a toddler bed and the baby in the crib. It worked out fine for us.

Yes, she will be able to be out of the crib. My kids are 18 months apart and my eldest was out of his crib when the bb came. He was in a toddler bed because he slept better that way. Anyway, relax. You are stressing out.lol Enjoy your pregnancy.

Hi H.,

My youngest 2 are 17 months apart and we were kind of stunned by the 3rd as I was nursing & on the pill. I had a cradle in my room for the first 4 to 6 weeks for all 3 kids. We put my daughter in a toddler bed when she was 19 months old and she did great with it. We just told her she was a big girl and that the baby needed the crib.

good luck
C.

My children are 18 months apart (child #1 and #2) and 14 months apart (child #2 and #3) so I can totally relate. I didn't transition out of the crib until the baby came because the youngest one slept in a bassinet for the first 2 months. Then we made a real big deal out of the next older child being the "big" bro or sis and that they were no longer the baby and needed to be in a big bed (toddler bed). We had no problems and actually, I had my hands so full with babies and working that I never really put a lot of thought or worry into it. It all just works out naturally with the rhythm of your family.

My boys were 17 months apart. We left our oldest in his crib and bought another one (they transition to toddler beds and then full size) so we knew we'd eventually use them both. Our son was GREAT when we brought his brother home. He was interested in him, very gentle, and overall we had a great transition. NOW they fight like crazy, but are SO close! They get along great and play together all day.

I hear you! My first two were 17 months apart and then I got pregnant with an IUD for my third; so my second and third are only 15 months apart! You can do it though. They will be close growing up which will make it so that they will play together a lot. I took my first out of the crib about 3 months before the baby was born so that she didn't feel like the new baby was "kicking her out." She did great! I put her on a mattress on the floor because I was affraid she would fall out of bed (which she did frequently because she is an agressive sleeper). She thought it was great being in a "big girl bed." I also worked to wean her from pacifiers a couple months before so that we wouldn't have to keep straight whose was whose. If you can wean from any bottles that is great too. Another suggestion is to get your first excited about being a big sister. She really can be a big helper by getting diapers, burp cloths, pacifiers, etc. She can help pick out the new baby's clothes. I would have her pick out a gift to take to the hospital to the new baby. You would be surprised how that will make her excited for the new one to come. Whatever you do, don't make her feel like she is being replaced or that she will have to give things up, because she will feel how you make her feel. She can be so excited and they will love each other! Congrats and good luck!

Hi H.,
My boys are 16 months apart so I feel your pain. I set goals every month for my oldest - took advantage of my time and patience. I think 22 months is too young for a toddler bed (my son is 22 months now) but worse case scenerio you try it like a month or two before you are due. If it doesn't work, you know you have to buy a new crib. How has she done with change in the past? She should respond like she does to anything new you have implemented. I went to this second-hand store and saw cribs dirt cheap. Is that option for you if you don't want to invest in another crib for the new baby? I know this has nothing to do with your question but a couple of days before I was due my mom came in from Michigan and we must have cooked 6-7 different meals and then froze them in individual servings in tupperware. It was the best thing I did becuz you are so tired, the last thing you want to mess with is food.
Good luck!!
Trish

I was in the same situation just a few years ago. I trasitioned my son into a big boy bed several months before the baby was born. I figured he was going to have alot of changes going on with the new baby coming and not getting 100% of the attention anymore so I did not want to take away his crib after the baby was born. It was a very hard transition bringing a new baby home with a 2 year old too. My 2 year old was so jealous I thought I would loose my mind. He turned into a child who would do anything good or bad for attention. It took several months for everyone to adjust but what a long several months. Good luck and congratulations!

I'm due next month with my second and they will be 21 mo apart.
I bought a 2nd crib, actually, grandma bought it.
I wasn't ready to move to a toddler bed.
Both cribs I have now convert to toddler beds.
A lot of people say it's do-able but with all the other changes about to happen in my little girls life I didn't want to force the toddler bed issue.
Only you know your child the best and can make that choice.
It will be fine!
My neighbor had her two oldest boys 10 MONTHS APART.
Now, that's scary...

Our boys are 21 months apart. Don't go into it thinking complications... it's a lot of fun just very busy. We set up the older one's big boy room before the baby was born and let him crawl/play/get used to the big boy bed. Once the baby arrived and needed to be in the crib versus bassinet (four weeks), we put the older one in the pack and play in the big boy room. Roughly, seven weeks or so later, he decided that he wanted to sleep in the big boy bed and we've had no issues whatsoever with the bed. Likewise, there have been no issues/complications/problems with them being so close. In fact, the older one has become quite a helper and adores his little brother.

This is exactly ho far apart my first to are...and my second and third are 23 months. It was so easy for us! We transitioned my kids into a twin bed at 18/19 months...we, too need the crib! We put up a gate at the dorr (a swinging lock gate) and of course a rail on the bed. To my surprise both times was a breeze. You have to talk it up to your daughter though..."You are going to have a big girl bed" "You are such a big girl"...you get the point. Just do not be scared to transition. I am a teacher so I did this over Christmas break thinking I would need the week or two to adjust them...I did not! And my kids never tried to get out of their cribs either. I needed the crib and figured I would by the older chold new furniture rather than buying a second crib!! Hope that helps

My son was 19 months when my daughter was born. He's still in a crib. If you can afford another one or are lucky enough to have a relative who doesn't need theirs, it's fine to have both. The only thing I would suggest is to not make any big changes for the couple months surrounding the birth. Having a new sibling is stressful enough for a kid! Good luck!

Our daughters are 22 months apart and are now 3 and 5 years old. I won't tell you it's easy when they are young, because it isn't, but the payoff is huge when they get to 3 and 5! What great interaction they have with each other!

We were unable to have two cribs, so we transitioned our older daughter to a standard twin size bed 3 months before our second child was born... so she was about 18 months old. We installed a long set of bed rails on the bed and rolled towels to fill the gaps between the mattress and the head- and footboards of the bedframe. She had a sturdy stool to help her climb in and out. The most difficult part for her was being without the "walls" of her crib. We left the crib up in the middle of the room and gave her the choice as to which she wanted to sleep in. It took several days for her to choose the bed, but then she didn't want to go back to the crib and we took it down after a week. At the same time, we put doorknob handle locks on rooms we didn't want her to wander into in the night, and put up a child safety gate to keep her from wandering to the kitchen/other house areas. She did get up often that first few months and we would return her to bed. She is now five years old and a very good sleeper! Hope this is helpful.

S.

I just had our third child less than two weeks ago with my second child turning 22 months this week. I transitioned my daughter to the big bed at 16 months with no problem. I wanted to make sure that she didn't think that the crib was being taken away from her for the baby. I had moved my son to his big bed at 18 months when we knew we were having another as well. I just made sure we had railings on the beds. They could still get out of the bed if they wanted to, but wouldn't fall out.

Congratulations! I have three. My first two are 27 months apart. We transitioned my first to a "big boy" firetruck bed when he was 20 months or so. He was ready for it. It honestly is going to depend on your daughter. Don't force it but let her development guide you. Some feel more secure and sleep better in their cribs, while others like to feel "big" in a big girl/boy bed. If you think that she is ready let her pick out her bed or her bed linens. She will probably need a side gate so she doesn't fall. Children with siblings sometimes regress so don't be suprised if she wants to sleep back in her crib or if she doesn't sleep as well as she once did. I would suggest setting up her bed in the next few months before the baby comes so she can get used to the idea of being a big girl. Have a big girl party, make a big deal about it, or sometimes not making a big deal works to depending on the personality of your daughter. My 1st was moved at the right time but my second was moved at 18 months and this was too early for him. To this day, he prefers sleeping with us although we move him back into his bed when he falls asleep. Be patient. It may take some time before she is comfortable in the big bed or she may "jump" right in so to speak. Let her guide you and the transition should go fine. Good luck!

My first two were 9 1/2 months apart! I was "unpregnant" for just three weeks between them! My daughter (the older of the two) started walking the day after I had the baby! thank GOD. She stayed in the crib until the baby was too big for the bassinet. Then he went to the crib and she got a twin sized bed. It's only as hard as you let it be. I am so glad that I had them that close together, otherwise I wouldnt have had the second one since their father and i divorced when they were very young. You will get through it and they will be very close friends! (at least until high school and everyone compares them to each other, which is never a good thing)

Good luck and have fun! They grow up far too quickly to stress the small stuff

Congratulations! There are so many ways to do this, you've had lots of great ideas. My girls are 23 months apart. We transitioned girl #1 to a mattress on the floor at 18 months. We made sure to make it about her and not the arriving baby (not that she really understood about a new baby anyway). :P After a couple of months we brought out a toddler bed (it was a hand me down otherwise I might have bought a twin from the get go). We also tried to remove any items that the baby would be using at this time too. Then, in the weeks leading up to girl #2's arrival we started bringout things for the "baby". We set up the swing 2 months in advance to get our daughter used to it so she wouldn't play with it once the baby arrived. How you say things are a big part of it. "Not for so and so" might be more desirable than "It's for the baby".

This might be more info. than you wanted, but we had no jealousy issues until #2 started "interacting" and rolling and generally becoming mobile. Of course, they're all different, so you might experience issues earlier, later or not at all. Best Wishes!

First off congratulations!!!!!! I do not have a second child however I have a 22 month old who is out of a crib and I am the youngest of two children that are 22 months apart.
We transitioned my son 2 months ago when he repeatedly climbed out of his crib. Many nights my son crawls out of his crib and walks down the hall to our room to climb into bed and we don't even know it. Honestly, my husband and I both work and have to be up and out of the house by 6:30am so we are not as on top of putting him back into his bed, however I would suggest since you'll have a new little darling getting up in the middle of the night (and you certainly need the sleep you get) start transitioning as soon as possible and do the Supernanny trick of putting your daughter back in her room if she gets up - however many times it takes until she realizes that she is to stay there.

I was born when my sister was 22 months old and apparently my sister was a fantastic sleeper and my mom had absolutely no issues with putting her in a bed from a crib and she never got out - so hopefully you'll have the experience that my mom had with us.

Best wishes!

Hi H.- I have 4 kids and my 1st two are 18 mo apart. I heard the rule of thumb is wait 8 weeks on either side of the new baby- so either transition at least 8 weeks before #2 comes or wait at least 8 weks after. With my first 2 we waited until after- I tend to use the bassinette for at least 3 mo anyway. With #2 to #2 (27 mo apart) We transitioned before the new arrival(she had been climbing out of the crib anyway).
Hope this helps and know that your kids will be great friend being close like this!!
Beth

Hi H.,
My first and second are 24 months and 3 weeks apart. I did not move the first to her new room until the new baby was about two months old. We kept the new baby in our room in the bassinette for another month so the crib was empty for that time. Once the first one had 3-4 weeks of success in her room (on a trundle on the floor) then I asked her one day to help me set up the crib (new sheets, bumper, etc.) for her baby brother. All smooth sailing until my mom put her down for a nap in her old crib a few days later, but thankfully she went right back to her old bed that night.
I would take baby steps and remember that the new baby will be fine in a basinette or pack n play for a good couple of months. Get the older one involved. Our first was definitely excited to help set up the bed for the baby.

Good Luck!
Jen

I do not think that it is too young, however I know from experience it is easier to move them when they seem to be ready. My daughter went to a "day bed" (the crib did this) at 22 mos. and got her big girl bed at 2 yrs. We did not waste the money on a toddler bed. But, do what is right for you. BTW, we are selling our crib, our 5 and 2 yr olds are in big beds. If you are interested in pics and price, email me.

Hi H.. These days, Pediatricians support keeping the kids in cribs as long as possible and allowing them to drive the transition schedule -- so it's difficult to tell when your daughter will be ready. But I can see how frustrating it would be to buy a new crib and then have your child ready for the transition only months after!! Could you possibly purchase a used crib for your daughter until she shows you she is ready for the transition?

In terms of transitions in general, I strongly advise making any significant transitions for your daughter as far out from the birth of baby as possible (either before and after). My kids are 15 months apart and we tried to keep everything several months out from the birth, so that my daughter would not associate (or blame) the changes with her new brother. (For example, we took our daughter off bottles at 12 months, removed her from her high chair into a booster chair at 13 months, etc.)

The last thing we wanted was her feeling even more stress from changing the common things in her life along side of having the new baby in my arms. Our rule was: anything the new baby will be using became off-limits for our daughter months before the baby came home. We stored the baby swing, the high chair and the exersaucer out of sight and we removed all the early-baby toys. She "forgot" that they were once hers and had no possession problems when her brother started using them!

Best of luck with your growing household!