How Can I Keep My Daughter From Escaping Her Crib!?

1. 68

   Tabitha Vingerposted 17 months ago

   I need some advice everyone! My daughter is almost 2 and she keeps finding ways to get out of her crib, which is not only dangerous, but interrupts her nap and bed-time! Now that she knows she can escape, she keeps doing it more frequently. Other than sitting by the door and telling her no every time she tries it, I don't know what else to do! I am not ready to put her into a toddler bed, so please no suggestions for that yet. I have tried turning her crib around (because the back is taller), per a friend's advice, and now she just climbs out the side because it's the same level as the front. I cannot lower her crib mattress any further, it's as low as it goes. What can I do? Has anybody else experienced this? What did you do? Please Help!

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2. 83

   Aime Fposted 17 months ago

   Yes I have experienced it. I put her in a toddler bed.
   
   I know you said you’re not ready to put her in a toddler bed but it sounds like she is. You’re right that it’s very dangerous for her to be climbing out of her crib. What is it specifically about the toddler bed that you’re not “ready” for? She’s getting out of bed and interrupting her sleep regardless, might as well make it safer for her to do so.

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3. 91

   Polly Cposted 17 months ago

   The same thing happened to me with my youngest!  As far as I know, there is only one option and that is a toddler bed! I put my son in one at around 15 months because the other alternative was him having an accident by climbing out and falling headfirst over the bars. You say you sit there, but you can't be there all the time - my son used to wake up in the night and get out. 
   
   Toddler beds are so much safer because they are really low to the ground, so if your daughter fell out she wouldn't hurt herself. And they have partial rails near where the child's head lies.

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4. 91

   Butterfly67posted 17 months ago

   Unfortunately she is not going to stop getting out just because you ask her to :-) so I'm afraid I agree with the others -  - it is dangerous once she can climb out but another benefit of a toddler bed is that she can get herself back in if she decides to get out which she can't do with a cot. Put a gate on the door (although it sounds like she might get over this!) and then she hopefully can't get any further.

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