Big Girl Bed

In preparation for new baby, we purchased a big girl bed for Aubrey a few weeks ago and transitioned her to her new bed this past week.  I was REALLY nervous about moving her to her big girl bed, but she has done so well with it!

Bedtime Stories

Ready for the first night's sleep in her big bed!

First night in the big bed

This is how we did it:


1. We moved the bed into her room and re-arranged the furniture a couple of weeks before we tried to get her to sleep in the new bed.  She continued to sleep in her crib with the big bed in the room.
2. We talked a LOT about Aubrey's big girl bed and how it was for 'night night.'  Aubrey would crawl up in the bed and say night night and practice laying down.
3. We didn't allow her to play or jump in the big girl bed-- I tried to set the boundary that it was for sleep and reading books.
4. We  borrowed a bedrail from a friend and showed her how to get in and out of the bed with the bedrail on.  She has to use a little step to get in and out-- it's super cute.
5.  We just went for it!  She got to have her normal sleep things (like the blanket from her crib and her lamb) in the big bed with her.  We read stories, covered her up, and said night night.  Then we watched her on the monitor for the next two hours.  She explored the space a little, then eventually just laid down to rest with her little head on the pillow!

So far she has slept all night 4 nights in a row in her new bed and has even taken several successful naps in the big bed.  She waits for us to come get her  out of bed, even though she knows how to get out.  According to Toddlerwise, this is a good thing!

Success!