DS is too tall for his new crib! Help!

[annie]

I finally got my DH to put together the hand-me-down crib that was given to us when we found out we were expecting DD, and it is not tall enough. My toddler can put himself right over the edge within seconds.

Right now, DS is still in the nursery, and this crib is in his new room. DD is 4 months old, and is getting too long to sleep in the bassinett in our room. That, and I'm dying to get the kids situated in their own rooms (and out of ours).

I really feel like DS, who is only 22 months old, should be in a crib for at least another 6 months. The idea of trying to put him to bed in a big boy bed, much less having him roam the house while we are sleeping, absolutely terrifies me. Ideally, I'd keep him in a crib until kindergarten :)

The crib he is presently using is fine, but my DH refuses to move it to DS' new room, since it matches all the furniture in the nursery (AND I suspect he doesn't want to have to assemble another crib and break it down). I think we should just put DD in the new room, but it is an all boy room, sports figures on the wall, etc.

ANy suggestions? Do you know of any cribs that would be tall enough for my DS without breaking the bank? Right now, he has a Canalli crib, but I'm pretty unwilling to spent another $450 on a crib he will only use for a short time.

[BooeyJ2]

Instead of buying another crib just for possibly about 6 months use, I would use a toddler bed and either put a baby gate up in the doorway or have the door closed (if he knows how to open the door, a lock on the front of the door intsead of the back would work). My sister and BIL did the lock thing for my nephews own safety when he was a toddler so that he wouldn't open the door and possibly fall down the stairs if he tried to go down to their room. It worked great for them.


If not, how about one of those crib tent things that keeps babies from climbing out?
Here are a bunch.....
http://store.babycenter.com/search/results/?_requestid=67998

[emschwar]

Why not just buy a crib tent? That'll keep him in.

[annie]

Thanks for your responses!

I am a little hesitant to use the crib tent - after major sleep issues with DS, I think it would really freak him out. I was surprised at how expensive they are too, after all, it looks like just a little netting. I'd hate to waste the money if it turns out we can't use it.

I guess what I am looking for is a crib that is tall enough not to let him climb out, like our Canalli, without the hefty price tag.

We may wind up just putting him on a mattress on the floor in his room, so locking his door is a good idea. Unfortuantely, we can't put a baby gate there, since the door needs to be closed since the light from out living area shines right into his room.

Thanks again!

[jki]

I was going to suggest a crib tent as well. A lot of kids love them - they are sort of like forts.

If you had "major sleep issues" with DS, I would just keep him in his own crib - IMO, trying to transition too many things at once is too hard, especially wiht a new baby. I would just insist to DH that he has to move the cribs.

[AmyE]

And if DH refuses crib assembly duty, why not do it yourself? I actually found that I am handier at that sorta thing than my DH!

[neenbean]

As much as I like the idea of a nursery decorated perfectly, buying (and assembling) another crib seems extreme(and expensive) as your DH doesn't even want to re-assemble the ones you have to accomodate your situation. I think putting your DD into the "new room" may be the best idea for now. You can slowly "undecorate" the masculine room or just switch rooms when your DS is ready to transition to a toddler bed. He probably does not care if little sister is in the other room as he has a hard enough time sleeping in "his" room. Just a thought.


I read this thread because DD is getting very tall and is only 10 months. We have a "convertible" crib and I am worried it will be too easy for her to "make an escape" at a very young age. Right now, she loves her crib for night sleeping but the top of the rails are below her chest, when at the lowest setting. Fortunately, we have put up a gate and keep the door partially closed (to keep light out) so when this becomes an issue we are ready to deal with it.

Good luck! I would love to hear what your final decision is.