Moving from a Toddler Bed to a Regular Bed

Updated on December 29, 2011
J.A. asks from Grand Prairie, TX
11 answers

Hello Mamas,
My 4 year old is in a toddler bed and has been for 2 years. We are beginning to think about moving him to a regular bed because he is getting taller. When did you move your toddler to a regular bed? Did you move to a twin or full size? He has slept in a queen bed several times over the last year or so (when we visit family) and he's been ok (not falling out or anything) We'll probably get him a new bedroom set so to make sure we can budget enough money for this, we're trying to think this through. We're hoping this bedroom set will last him until pre-teen/teen year. Any stories or recommendations would be helpful.

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your responses. I feel better knowing that the likelihood of him falling out of the bed is small and if he does, he probably won't hurt himself. We've decided to move him to a full size bed, which should last until he goes to college. Of course we'll have to replace the mattress over time but we shouldn't have to replace the bedroom set. I like the suggestion of starting with the bed first and then buying the furniture later. Let the bed shopping begin!!

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M.A.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter moved into a big bed when she was 3... we never used a toddler bed, just took the front rail off of her crib. So she went straight from that to full-size bed. We chose full-size b/c I want her to have more room later for sleep overs and in case her sister wants to sleep in there with her. I also wanted her to have something she can take with her when she leaves home (we bought her a nice whole bedroom set that I am hoping will last a very long time). She rolls around too like other people said so this way she has more room. We never used a rail either. She did fall off a few times, but she hasn't done it in a very long time. She learned quickly. :-)

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

My son rolled around way too much for a toddler bed right out of the crib so it was never of use. I gave it to a neighbor and bought him a twin bed. He did great.
He's one of these kids that will roll around according to the bed size so even when we travelled and he was on a king size, he rolled around but he never rolled off.
It depends on the kid, but my kids didn't have any trouble going to regular beds after the crib. My daughter never even did have a toddler bed. She went straight to twin and then we got her a nice Sealy Posturpedic Double.
I do believe that some kids feel more comfortable in a smaller bed that's more confined such as up against the wall etc.
My kids were happier with room to roll it out. Sideways, upside down, rightside up, diagonally. They liked taking advantage of their space.
If your son does better in a bigger bed and you have room, I would get a double. It makes it so much nicer when you want to snuggle for story time. Beds are expensive. I might take him to help him choose the size he likes especially if you are thinking in the long term.

Just my opinion.

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

My son NEEDED to be in a toddler bed for a while he is 5 and we just now moved him to a TWIN sized bed. He has done this with NO problems (my son does have a sleep disorder and takes melatonin nightly) with the transition. We did get him a teddy bear with it that is larger than he is to help "fill the void" of the much larger bed and we went with a simple metal frame and clean style headboard that we can change as he gets older easily with out a lot of cost. I suggest you invest in good long lasting mattresses as well. With the route we took, by the time his mattresses are "done" he will be ready for a full sized bed all we have to do is extend the frame, buy new mattresses and a new headboard ... DONE! His bed cost about 300 and we did not have it delivered. I do not think this has to be a big deal honestly, just introduce it get some new lovies to help with the size of it all and be encouraging.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

We skipped the toddler bed and actually just went straight from crib to twin size bed around age 2. My son rolls around a lot though and would have fallen out had it not been for the rails that we put on it. If you're hoping to have it last til teens, a full-size would be a luxury if you can afford it, a twin size is fine if you can't. :)

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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

On our last visit to DS's grandma is when he got the experience of sleeping in one of the spare bedrooms with a double bed. He's a little over 2 but sleeps in a toddler bed at home. There was surprising no problems and I think he slept better in that bed than in his own room at home.

I put pillows around him and had his "babies" and he was set. One thing that I do think helped was that the set was toy story (not my thing). He would actually get excited to go to bed because buzz was on his pillow and the blanket.

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

We moved our son into a twin bed just before he turned 4. The bed is pretty tall (has a trundle underneath it) so we have the safety rails on the sides which have worked great! He loves his bed!

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I think you need to get the bed they will have until they move out. I think this because if you have a kid like we do that tosses and turns all night then you know they will roll right out of a smaller bed. Our girl sleeps like her mom. She is all over the bed and is often in the floor rolling around too. Once we put her in a bigger bed she lays and sleeps all night.

My niece put both of her kids right out of the toddler bed in to a queen. They will have new mattresses over the years but the frame and bedding are all the same. They can even take their bed with them once they leave home.

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

My DD just turned 4 and was put in her toddler bed at age 22 months. We just got her a twin bed about a month ago and it's great! She hasn't fallen out at all and loves her "big bed!" We got one for cheap from a friend, but it was brand new. I plan on adding (restored pieces) as I have time. I like to upcycle.

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B.M.

answers from Dallas on

Our daughter went from crib to mattress on the floor (at 18 mos.) to a twin bed (at 2 1/2). Just get the size you want for the room. He'll be fine.

U.5.

answers from Wichita on

Hello: My four year old daughter currently sleeps in a twin without the frame. It’s our attempt at a transition step. That and we too are saving for a frame. Very rarely have I ever seen her in a different spot than where I layed her down the night before. Occasionally she will have a leg or two hanging off of the bed. My hope is that once I do get the frame she will understand the risk and stay put. Additionally she has a relatively heavy quilt over her body that hopefully keeps her in place. Over Christmas we had the opportunity for her to sleep in a twin on a frame. Since she was in a new place AND has a cold I decided to go ahead and place the mattress on the floor. I guess I am a whimp LOL. Good luck!!!

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

we moved him from crib to a twin at 2yrs and 3 mon because we were moving to a new house. if you cannot afford a whole bedroom set, just get the mattress. and you can get the other furniture later. i don't think they care.

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