I was hoping Marcy's thread about Furniture in Toddler Room would help answer my questions, but hers is a little different than mine. Since we are expecting a new baby when Catherine will be 27 months old, we are wondering what to do about more furniture. We have considered the following:


1. Giving the new baby the nursery furniture and getting Catherine a toddler bed & furniture.

2. Giving the new baby the nursery furniture and letting Catherine use my old twin bed, russling up a dresser somewhere, and replacing it with new "big girl" furniture when we get back to the states 9 months later (don't want new furniture messed up in the move plus there's better selection in the states than there is here).

3. Letting Catherine keep her furniture (the crib converts to a toddler daybed) and buying new nursery furniture for the new baby.


I'm leaning toward option #2. At first we may just put the twin mattress on the floor as I have heard many people say they have done. Her room wouldn't be "pretty", but it will be for less than a year. Also, we'd have to buy her new furniture again anyway if we let her keep her current set since it only converts to toddler bed and some day she'll need a big bed.

Also we are not sure if we should move her into a new room with her new furniture or leave her where she is and put the new baby and the nursery furniture in the new bedroom. Or can they share a room?? I am afraid a total change might be too much. I am trying to work on this subject well ahead of time so she has plenty of time to get used to the changes.

What have those of you who have 2+ kids done?

I don't have 2 kids, but I would def opt for #2. No need to spend extra for a situation that will only be a few months.

Question...what about using a portacrib in your room and keeping her in the nursery?

Yes that thought crossed my mind. I know a girl who is using a pack-n-play because she didn't want to buy nursery furniture since they are moving soon. Catherine slept in our room in a bassinet for her first 6 weeks (until we were keeping each other from sleeping haha) but ever since then she has slept in her own room. A pack-n-play might come in handy to have anyway while we are in transit though I am not sure the airlines will look kindly on us traveling with two carseats, a stroller, luggage, cat, AND a pack-n-play. I do have a playpen so I am afraid I'd be going overboard on the baby 'stuff'.

I would definitely do #2 and try to keep her in the same room she's now. We also kept each of the boys in our room in a bassinet for the first 6 months and then they were moved into their own rooms.
I think it's great that you are starting early because that will give her more time to adjust to the changes a little bit at a time :aok:

#2 for sure. I put my daughters twin matress on the floor for close to a year. Until I was sure she wouldn't roll out. It's easier for them to climb in the bed as well.

I would say try not to make too many changes for your older daughter around the time the baby comes. If you start well before the new baby comes with her in the twin bed, she will be used to it and not see it as the new baby has stolen her bed.

It will also give you time to look online for a bedroom set or furniture so you can be prepared to buy after you move.

I would put the new baby in her own room unless you plan on the kids sharing a room after you move. My youngest daughter can not sleep unless she is alone and in the dark. Perhaps if she would have shared a room from the beginning she would be more used to it but then I don't see how you keep them from waking each other up while one is an infant that needs to be fed at night.

Using the pack-n-play for the new baby and using the crib as a toddler bed for your oldest would work fine too and your oldest might feel more comfortable this way becuase it's her bed.

I think the airlines are used to major luggage when children are involved. Just get a luggage cart when you go to the airport and have plenty of hands to help you carry everything. The p-n-p usually fold to a manageable size and can be carried easily inside their travel bag.