My son is a little over 2.5 y.o and we are looking to transition him out of his crib and into a bed in the next few months. I was looking for input on whether you think it's advantageous to get him a toddler bed or should I just get a twin size bed? I'm thinking it would be one less step and it would save some money to not get a toddler bed, but at the same time, maybe the twin size is too big and hard to climb into for a toddler? I was also thinking that maybe a "fun" toddler bed like the car ones would make it exciting to switch to a bed. For those with older kids, how many years do you get out of a toddler bed? If it's awhile, then I wouldn't mind spending a little money on one. Thanks in advance!
With my daughter we went straight to a full size bed and she did fine. We did use rails to keep her from falling out. With my son, we tried a toddler bed we received from a family member and my son hated it and wouldn't stay in it. We got him a full size bed and he loved it. We put it against the wall and used a rail for the one side. To help both kids climb into their beds we bought a step stool to get up and out of the bed with ease.
If you are looking to make your child feel like a big person I say skip the toddler bed and get a twin...besides you will save money in the future. My daughter didn't like the toddler bed she still felt like she was in her crib. My daugher was in a twin bed by two.
skip the toddler bed. go right to the twin size bed. put one side against the wall. the child will sleep much better with more space. we did this for both of our sons. when they were in the crib, they were always crashing into the sides and waking up. I think a toddler bed is just a way to get more money out of people. the mattress is the same size as a crib!
I'd say go straight to the twin size bed. I skipped the toddler bed with both of my kids and it all went just fine. They have the side rails you can attach to the sides to protect him from falling out (if that is a concern). I just looked at it myself as more convenient by skipping the middle step.
J.
We had to do a toddler bed but only because my son loves to climb and jump. I was scared he would bounce himself right off of a twin and into the wall or onto the floor. So I found this toddler bed that his crib mattress fit into that's a car but with a roof over the top so it keeps him contained more so. He still climbs and jumps but he's 2.5 and I really don't feel he's going to be ready for a twin until he's probably 4. I think you have to consider the personality of your son.
I'm planning on putting my 20 month old in a twin on the floor in the next few weeks. No point in having two adjustments. Not sure when I'll add the frame, but for now, all my friends keep telling me to just put the mattress on the floor.
I'd get a twin bed personally,and put the toddler bed money in savings. My sitter's daughter only used her toddler bed for about 8 months. My twins went from the crib to a sharing a full size bed with no problems. You can put just the mattress flat on the floor at first if you worry about him falling off, or buy bed rails.
We transitioned our son to a full size bed when he was 2 years and 3 months. We skipped the toddler bed and the twin size and went straight to the full. He was so excited when we told him that he was going to sleep in a big bed just like M. and daddy from now on, and we have never had any problems. Good luck!
We skipped the toddler bed and went straight to the full size. We have no regrets. I can't imagine why anyone would spend money on a bed that has such limited use.
Unless you need the crib mattress for another baby, it's the same one you would use for a toddler bed and you can buy really cheap cute ones at Ikea. You don't need to go and buy a whole new mattress set right now.
Go right to the twin bed. Less transition for him and less money and headache for you. Spend the extra money on bedding that will be exciting and fun for him.
EDIT: Don't forgot about a bedrail. For us, it was not an automatic need. One child needed it and other was older and didn't require a bedrail. Lastly, a new bed is an exciting time for the child but at least in our home, it brought a host of new sleep routine disturbances. Make sure you are ready for that. I would recommend keeping your child in a crib as long he is content and safe.
I found a toddler bed for cheap at a garage sale-- you can always look on craigslist and find one for next to nothing. My daughter likes it and her bedroom is tiny so it fits easily. If I hadn't found one for cheap I'd just go straight to a twin like everyone else recommends.
