wrote:

Hi

We have an 18 month who has worked out that she can climb out of her
cot. We thought that it might happen soon, and even lowered the base
below the manufacturer's lowest position.

However this evening we heard an almightly bump as she fell onto the
floor. Thankfully she seems to be fine, though shocked. I simply have
no idea how she managed to get over. Perhaps we have a budding Edmund
Hillary in the making :-)

It seems far too early for us to convert the cot into a bed. She simply
will not go to bed if we do. I would value any thoughts an ideas that
you have?

My oldest climbed out once when I was going to the hospital to deliver
#2. She was 25 months at the time. She didn't do it again for some
months.

My mom had a youth bed which was like a crib, except that it had a
door in the bars which could be opened so that a parent could sit on
the edge, or the child could get out by themselves. The other bars
would keep them from falling out by accident anywhere except where the
gate was.

If you don't have such an option it seems you have two choices.

Pad the area around the crib and leave her in it. None of mine ever
really hurt themselves falling out of bed. I won't tell you to ignore
the possibility that they would, but that's what I would do.

or

Move her to a mattress on the floor or a regular bed. You will have
to train her to stay in the bed in that case.