Dilemmas...Toddler Bed or Crib?

[disabledvetswife]

Okay, so I'm due with DD#2 5/29. My dilemma is this:

Do we buy new baby gear for the nursery (crib, changing table, etc.) or move DD#1 (2years) to a toddler bed (her bed is a 5-in-1 convertible, so will go all the way to full size) and move her furniture over to the nursery?

It would be cheaper to switcheroo, but then I feel like I'm cheaping out on DD#2.

WWYD??

[hburnette3]

DD #2 will not feel you are cheaping out on her. Trust me she won't care. There is absolutely no need in buying another crib. DD #1 will love a new bed. It will make her feel special. That's very important with a new sister coming into the picture.

[434Teresa]

I would go ahead and get her a new bed now, and move the cib to the other room, my kmart has a Dora bed for like $50 that I got my 3 year old and she loves it but you have to buy a crib mattress to go on it. She will think its cool to ahve a big girl bed...

[FunnyFace]

I would do the switcheroo. hburnette3 is right; your daughter will love a new bed. Plus, you can turn this into a great lesson in sharing, caring and giving, if you so desire, even at the ripe ole age of two.

OR

Since your daughter's bed is a 5 in 1 maybe allow her to keep her bed and see if you can find a crib that matches the existing changing table and other baby items).

Honestly, whichever one suits your personal and financial interests best will be fine for your daughter. ;)

ETA: I just reread your post and I was thinking you thought you daughter 1 was having to sacrifice not 2. Please, don't do that to yourself. If you are nonchalant about the transitions the girls will be just fine and become best of friends. You do the best you can do with the variables life sends your way and they will understand your love for them is equal.

[foggierbard9]

We moved DS to a toddler bed at 18 mos....even though the crib is a convertible one. Now we are expecting DD in 2 mos, she will be in the crib and we will then convert it for her when she is ready for a toddler bed. We just bought a new mattress for the crib.

I think since your DD#1 is 2 moving her to a toddler bed would make her feel like a big girl and I think she would love a new bed. I wouldn't buy a whole new nursery set for DD#2. You aren't cheaping her out of anything. I would think that getting big girl stuff for your older daughter and handing down would make better sense in the long run.

[addysclosetandmore]

I had Mia when Addy was about 19 months old & we had her in our bed still... we quickly moved her into a toddler bed... we were going to put Mia in the crib but it didn't work for us (she needed to be able to nurse pretty much all night). Now that Mia's in the toddler bed, the crib is being used as a toddler bed for Addy. Funny how things work out, but they'll never know the difference!

Same goes with clothing & toys, they will never know the difference :)

[sbp]

I don't think you need to buy a new crib, since you already have one, and just get a new bed for dd#1.

I will say though that you should probably get the new bed and get dd#1 into it fairly soon, instead of waiting for the baby to make her appearance. Otherwise dd#1 may feel like she's being booted out of her sleeping place because of the baby. Avoid that by making a big deal out of her getting her new bed and getting her used to it before baby comes!!

[amylynne01]

My girls are 17 months apart, and I bought another crib (3-in-1) for my younger DD. I knew that they would be sharing a room, and I wanted the cribs and furniture to match. Both beds will convert to toddler beds and then full size, so I felt like they were worth the money.

[mom2lucas]

We put DS in his toddler bed at 17 months or so. DD arrived 4 months later, and he didnt care a bit she was using his old crib. I'd go with the toddler bed for #1 and use the old crib for #2.

[puakinikini]

I put my 2 year old twins in toddler beds because I needed the crib for our youngest. After buying 2 of everything for the twins, no way was I going to buy another crib! :)