Toddler Toddler Beds

I think 1 1/2 is way to young to put him in a toddler bed. You should really try and keep him in his crib as long as possible. 2 1/2 is a good age to try and start the transition from crib to bed. A good idea when that time comes around is to keep the crib in the room and then bring in the other bed in. You can slowly read him books and help him fall asleep and play in the bed which will slowly let him get used to it. Once he's ready you'll know. As far as what bed to buy. Ikea sell great cheap toddler bed that are fun and fashionable. They also sell other great beds that are close to the ground. So, if you wanted to skip the toddler and go right for a twin, height off the g round would be a non-issue............ The longer you can keep him in the crib the better. You don't want him wandering around at night etc...... if he crawls out (like my daughter did at 10 months old. buy a crib tent. It's like their own fort.

I have a 3 years old son and I transitioned him straight to the twin bed. I bought a rial at target and went from there. It worked perfectly!! Good luck. Take care.

C.

I would try & keep your li'l guy in the crib for as long as possible
if he's climbing out, then I'd go for a crib tent- try ebay or craig'slist

then when he's close to 3, I'd go for a twin bed
we love using the www.snugtuck.com bedrail bcse it doesn't look like a bed rail...

god luck

I got a toddler bed for Leah once we decided to transition from the crib to the bed because even though her crib did convert, we found that it was just too high off the ground! You can get a very cheap toddler bed and the mattress from the crib goes right in. For Leah it was easier and less frightening because she wasn't all the way up in the air. In the end, it's a matter of personal preference for both your little guy and for you. I would do whatever is most comfortable for him, and I agree with what was said below about not rushing it if he isn't trying to climb out or isn't able to climb out of his crib yet.

Personally, I'd opt for the toddler bed for a few reasons, but most of them have to do with personal tastes. I really don't think that it's *that* important a decision, and you'll propbably get people that swear to the benefits of weither decision.

1) Toddler beds take up less room, allowing for more playspace in the room (you have to figure that 2/3 of a twin bed won't be getting used until 4 yrs, and even then, you're only goiung to be using half that bed.

2) For the *most* part, toddler beds allow for less of a fall if they do fall out of bed (and they will, guardrails or no). It's best to gain the sleeping muscle-memory that keeps you on the mattress with falls of 6 inches rather than 2 ft. (Our 4 year old is in a single trundle bed right now, which allows the big-bed feel with the safety of a toddler bed.)

3) The cost of either bed, in these days of Chinese manufacture, is in the mattress, which for a toddler bed, you have in the crib (assuming that you haven't another on the way at present. A toddler bed runs $35-$75 depending upon where you find it, and for 2 years, that's not much of an investment. (If it still hurts, try selling it on eBay when you're done. If you're artsy enough to paint it up nicely or theme decorate it etc. You may well get a bit more than you paid for it.)

4) Our 2 year old can now do an aerial flip when bouncing on his brother's single bed. (A lot of falls were involved with perfecting this little aerial feat.) Toddler beds have much less bounce than singles do.

Just my 2c.

-Scott (Husband to S..)

We did this, for my daughter when she turned 1. She did great, and now at almost three (at 3 feet 4inches) has plenty of room to grow. It really is up to you on the twin bed issue, but if you plan to get the railings go for the soft netted version. Hannah has sesame street characters on it and she loves saying good night to them. (the net spans the bars and is pulled tight) Good Luck, Jen

A twin mattress on the floor worked for my 16month old b/c if she rolled off, she landed on her comfy floor rug that was the length of her bed, plus she still doesnt sleep through the night(now at 27mths) so it was easy for me to sleep next to her and then quietly exit without a squeak from a bed on a metal bedframe.

yes, a twin with side rails works just fine and saves you the money also.

Both my boys moved to twin beds at 1 1/2. My oldest because we moved and it did not make sense to build the crib for just a few months. The twin bed I got him is very low to the ground as part of a bunk bed set. We never had any problems. My youngest would not sleep well in the crib so I got him a toddler bed and put it in my 6 year olds room. He slept in in maybe 5 times but prefers the "big bed" as he calls it which is a twin bed and about 36 inches off the ground. He climbs on and off without any issues whatsoever and has a much better nights sleep. Those crib mattresses are not very comfortable. Bottom line you know your son better than anyone and know what he will be better off with.

My daughter was about the same age when we got the toddler bed. She was 3 in July .... and still loves it!!!!! Its so nice that she can get in and out like a big girl and has always loved it! I got one for my moms house too cause she watches her during the week and likes to spend the night too. I got a really nice wood one at toy's r us. It looks like a nice piece of funiture so she was really happy about her big girl bed. I pick one up at k-mart for my mom's house. Still nice but its a white wood. I have no plans of taking her out of it anytime soon. She is a lil thing .... 30lbs. So you might want to think about the size of your lil one too to know how long you will use it. I love it!

I think toddler beds are great for toddlers younger than 3 but also a waste of money.

My daughter had a toddler bed only because one was given to me for free. My son went from a crib to a twin mattress on the floor in my daughter's room. It was sort of a makeshift trundle. (BTW A twin with a trundle would be a great investment for when they get to the "Mommy can such and such sleep over? age)

At 3 we put the twin on the frame and gave him his own room. When he turned 4 a friend gave us a loft bed, and that's what he sleeps in now. Well, when he doesn't sneak into my bed int he middle of the night!

Hope this helps!

In Christ,
S.

J.,

I can see where the other mother is coming from. However, why make 2 purchase if you don't have to. I know toddler beds may not be that expense depending on the one you choose, but think about what you can spend that extra $70 or $80 on. I would opt for the twin bed. That is exactly what I did for my 2 oldest boys and let me tell you, as fast as they grow I am happy that I did. My third son is still in his crib and he just turned 2 and thankfully has not tried to climb out yet. I have the convertible crib so when the time comes I am prepared. So as I said, as the mother of 3 boys and knowing what the expenses that come along with them can be, I would definitely opt for the long term investment and buy the twin bed and buy the double rail system for the bed you will be much happier.

Hope this helps.

S.
SAHM of 3 beautiful boys.