Best Bed Ideas for a 4-Year-old?

When my son moved into a twin bed, we used the bed rails on the side for awhile. Til he got used to being higher (The other side was against the wall.)

O. thing I would NOT recommend is O. of those non-flipping mattresses (just another word for cheaper!) Decide what you want to spend & get the best for the money.
We like Original Mattress Factory products. Very nice...no "sales" gimmicks, etc. Just a good-better-best selection in various firmnesses & materials.

This is what we have (got it for my son when he was 4) and we LOVE it!!

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20162888/

Hemnes Daybed, from Ikea, $499

We went to a double bed around 2 1/2 and put bedrails on either side. He did absolutley fine. The mattress was a little thick but we got a lower profile boxspring. We also got him a step stool to help him get up. Friends of ours went with a platform bed I think from Ikea where you don't need a boxspring and it sits lower. I can tell you the drawers add a lot to the cost (we looked at them but opted to go without) but if you need the space it is nice. I've shopped mattresses and all manufactutrers seem to have ranges so just don't go with the low end. I am a big fan of Original Mattress but ended up getting mine at Schneiderman's here because we found one we both liked and they had a great deal on it. We went with the double because our crib was a convertible and we wanted both boys to have the same size, plus we have a lot of out of town family so we could always use the boy's beds if we needed to.

Really depends on how much you want to spend. I don't like the metal frames because 1) you need a boxspring and 2) they are kind of boring. We have bunkbeds that will come apart into 2 seperate wooden twin beds. They have the slats so you just need the mattress.

There are tons of furniture stores here in the Milwaukee area. Try the JC Penny furniture outlet on Burleigh. Check Steinhafels, Ashley etc..

I wish I had drawers under their beds but they are more expensive.

Gets some bed rails too!

Our crib converted to a full size bed. She is way to big to be on a crib mattress. My son's bed is huge and it's great because it fits me and even my husband if we want to cuddle in the morning or before bed. If you have the room, go with a full size. If not, a twin will be fine. Take her shopping with you and show her beds in your price range. You don't need a metal frame but it looks better to either have a frame or get one with drawers underneath. It depends on if you want more storage. The drawers are good for putting away toys.

My son sleeps on the bed he was born on, a full-sized futon. We replaced the mattress with a new one before moving him to it; the old one was very old and not comfortable any more.

The reason I like this arrangement is that kids get nightmares, they get sick, they like to get into our beds when they are needing comfort-- and frankly, it's easier for me to go downstairs and get into *his* bed. My husband and I switch off 'nighttime duty' sessions, but this allows one of us to get a good night's sleep. Just last night I was with Kiddo. (Five is typically an age for nightmares...and I am learning this!) I'm really glad he's not up in our bed, kicking and grinding his head into both of us. One sane person must be present in the morning!:) And the futon has plenty of space underneath for storage.

You do not need a frame..also consider a bunky (bunkie?) board, which is like a low profile replacement for a box spring. Our twin that we just got has slats and no need for a box spring. It also has adjustments so you can have the mattress at a lower setting, then raise it up if you want to be higher and add a drawer that could be for storage or for a trundle mattress. As a kid I always thought trundle beds were cool, so we went for abed with that option.