which to try first - potty train or BBB???

[oliversmommy]

DS is 2.5 yo, we are planning to potty train this summer when both DH and I are off work.  DS currently still sleeps in his crib in a sleep sak.  I'm debating whether or not to potty train first, or transition him to his toddler bed/wean sleep sak first.  (The toddler bed is just his crib with one side open.)  He is able to climb out of the crib when he is not wearing the sleep sak, so I'm planning to transition him to the toddler bed first w/ a tucked in duvet (or gro bedding), then remove the sleep sak.  Just not sure if we should try the bed first or potty training first.  I hate to move him to his toddler bed when he is sleeping great in his crib, however he is going to outgrow his current sleep saks soon, so it might be a good time to start the transition.  Ideally I'd like to do all of it this summer when I'm not working in case his sleep becomes disrupted, but I'm not sure we can get it all accomplished in the 8 weeks we are off.  (Really don't want to tackle any of it as his routine and sleep are going so smoothly ATM, but I can't send him to kindy in diapers and a sleep sak now can I?  )

Would love some input from BTDT BW moms!!!

Thanks in advance for your help! 

[*Becky*]

I think potty training in the summer when you have some time is a great idea. I read 'oh crap potty training' with my DD and something I took from that is it is important for YOU to be ready as much as your little one. For me that meant I wanted some time when I knew I could devote my attention to it and not feel rushed/stressed etc. We did it over a summer period and it was very relaxed so if it were me in your situation yes I would do it as you have planned. Sometimes lo's have other ideas i.e. DD suddenly said to me just after 2 years she did not want to wear a nappy anymore so that was that - luckily it was a good time for us

Re the BBB if he is sleeping well atm then I would leave it personally. Many lo's don't transition to a bed until around 3. What you could do and what we are doing right now is replacing the sleep sacks with a duvet in preparation for moving to a BGB. If he is growing out of them that is an option.

We moved DS at 2.5 and it was absolutely fine, not one night out of bed but we needed the cot for DD. This time around we have the luxury of time!

[oliversmommy]

Becky,
Thanks so much for your advice!  Weaning the sleep sak first totally makes sense.  Do you think it would be okay to try it even though DS has climbed out of his crib?  He actually only climbed out once, around 6-12 mos ago - it was during the day and he was playing in his crib and used his feet to climb up the rails.  He hasn't tried it since - if he happens to be playing in there during the day, he always asks me to lift him out, even if he is barefoot.  With the sleep sak on, he can't get the traction to climb out of the crib.  I could try socks when I remove the sleep sak - he can take them off but hopefully he wouldn't be that determined to get out on his own.

So should I add a duvet first, then remove the sleep sak once he is used to the duvet?  Do I tuck in all 3 sides like a sleeping bag?  Now would be a good time to start before it gets hot in a couple of months!

Was "oh crap potty training" a good book?  I love the title! 

Glad to hear your DS transitioned so well to the BBB - hopefully we will be so lucky!

[*Becky*]

I would def try. We weaned the sleep sack last weekend and she has been fine. I just pop a vest on and a pair of socks like you mentioned and she has been fine.

If it were me I would put a duvet in first and then take off the sleep sack but yes do it soon as it will be getting warm. You could always just put a v light sleep sack on - you will have to check and make sure he is not getting too hot. I do try to tuck the duvet in but mine is a wriggler so she likely comes out of it.

I really liked the book, I used a different one last time with DS but this was much better IMO.

[oliversmommy]

That's great that your sleep sack weaning went so smoothly! 

Do you think I could try one of DS's fleece blankets or quilts instead of a duvet cover?  Was thinking that I have those already and then I wouldn't have to go out and buy a duvet cover right now.  Do you suggest starting at nap time or night time?

Appreciate your hand holding through this - transitions usually end up being much more stressful for me than for my LO! 

[Buntybear]

Do you think I could try one of DS's fleece blankets or quilts instead of a duvet cover?

Hi, as you long as you think those are warm enough then I would give those a go. How big are they? I think a lot of parents tuck the duvet/blanket right in at first so they can't wriggle out and wake up cold.

I would start at nap time TBH. It will prob only take a few days as it isn't a huge transition for them YK. Good Luck x

[*Becky*]

With DS we did exactly that, a fleece blanket and it worked for a while but then kept falling off so we transitioned to a duvet.

[oliversmommy]

Thanks ladies!  I'm thinking I'll start w/ the fleece blanket while he is still wearing the sleep sack, then move to a duvet when the sleep sack is gone.  I'm having trouble finding a toddler duvet I like - I really like the idea of gro bedding but I discovered that it is not available in the US , so that option is out.  Starting w/ a fleece blanket gives me more time to shop around for a duvet.

Planning to add the blanket during naptime this weekend, then after a week, remove the sleep sack the following weekend (we have a four day holiday so he will hopefully be weaned off the sleep sack by the time he goes back to the sitter).  Does that sound like a good plan?

I don't know why I'm so nervous about this transition - helps to hear it's an easy one - things have been going smoothly sleep-wise for a long time so I hate to rock the boat so to speak!

Thanks again for your help!   

[oliversmommy]

So we tried a blanket for the first time at naptime today - I tried first without the sleep sack on as it's warm and I was afraid DS would be too hot - he couldn't fall asleep and eventually asked for the sleep sack so put it on him - he kept kicking off the blanket (even though it was tucked in - think it might be too small) and then calling for me to put it back on.  Eventually fell asleep with the blanket off/sleep sack on.

I think he is pretty attached to the sleep sack as the few times in the past he has gone down for a nap without it, he doesn't fall asleep and then asks for it, then falls asleep with it on.

So I'm thinking about trying a sheet w/ the sleep sack, so he doesn't get too warm - does that sound like a good plan?  I don't have any sheets the right size - will have to go out and buy some and maybe start again tomorrow???  Then once he is used to a sheet (tucked in of course), try a duvet without the sleep sack???  What do you BTDT ladies think???

[Buntybear]

Hmm, wondering if you might be better to try it at bedtime then.. then he will be tired enough to go to sleep YK. You risk at 2.5 years old him not napping at all I guess....

[*Becky*]

Yes I agree about trying at BT. Also blankets in my experience are a nightmare as they do fall off so easily. Could you use a lightweight duvet?

[oliversmommy]

Thanks for your replies ladies.  I will definitely try at bedtime next time.  I just ordered a toddler bedding set online (can't find them in the stores around here) that includes a duvet, so when that arrives we'll try again. 

I really appreciate your suggestions and help! 

[oliversmommy]

Becky - just wanted to thank you again for your PT book recommendation - I loved "oh crap. potty training"!  We've been PT for 5 days and so far things are going really well.  SO glad I decided to wait until summer so I could really focus my energy on PT.  Thanks so much for your advice!