HELP DS is trying to give himself a concussion

[mrshandy]

So DS is going to be 2 on Wednesday. I'm pretty damn sure he is done with his crib. He can climb out pretty easily (and safely) even with a sleep sack and socks. Also, whenever he wakes up within 2 minutes of waking up, he starts slamming his head into the mattress, then crib rails angrily. He's gotten a few marks and bruises on his head.

So yeah, the crib is gone. I'm looking for toddler beds on Amazon. But I'm terrified what is going to happen. We will baby proof his room as much as we can. One time I tried putting his mattress on the floor for nap time, he slammed his head into the door, until we rescued him.

So what should we do? Right now we have a door handle cover for the inside, so he can't get out.

What happens when he starts slamming his head into the door? Should we make it so he can get out and just keep bringing him into the bed?

This is going to suck...

Bonus question: Do most crib mattresses fit toddler beds?

[ohgillian]

I can only answer the bonus question -- typically a crib mattress fits a toddler bed; standard cribs and standard toddler beds are the same size mattress.

[drloretta]

From my understanding, typically they won't bang hard enough to hurt themselves. But I could be wrong.

No idea about the toddler bed. DD's mattress is on the floor.

[liveintheville]

We have an Ikea toddler bed and it does not fit a crib mattress. Thanks, Ikea, for ensuring that we can only buy sheets from you.

[definitelyO]

I do think that most toddler beds are made to fit the crib mattress. (guess IKEA isn't one of those...)

and I would talk to his doctor about the head banging/pounding.

[Deleted]

DD starting banging her head at 18 months when she was angry. She did it a few times on the hardwood floor and decided it wasn't worth it. Every once in a while she will tap her head as lightly as possible - I can't help but laugh.

A friend of mine had your situation. She covered the crib rails (her DD is younger) and at 18 mos the doctor said to start giving timeouts for head banging. I would talk to your doctor, but I'd be inclined to give timeouts. Going to get him when he does it give him what he wants and reinforces the behavior.