When Did You Get a Twin Bed?

Updated on March 14, 2010
S.H. asks from Madison, AL
27 answers

My daughter currently has a Dora the Explorer toddler bed that uses the crib mattress. She's been in it since she was about 18 months old (she'll be 3 years in 3 months). I am curious what age others switched their kids to a twin size bed. Did you just get the mattress/boxspring with no frame?

My daughter has told me before that she doesn't like her bed, but I'm not sure she understands what she's saying. I wonder if she feels the bed is not wide enough but doesn't know how to tell me. She always ends up turning sideways in her little bed! haha

I'm not looking to get her a new bed anytime soon. We are moving in 4 months or so, so I wouldn't want to get anything before then. Just curious what age others made the switch!

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So What Happened?

Thank you for all of your responses! I think we will wait until after we move, see how much room she has in her new bedroom, and see if we can get her a full size bed (or at least mattress). If the room is too small we will just get a twin. Maybe a new bed will even make the move more fun for her!

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A.H.

answers from Fayetteville on

We switched to a twin mattress and box springs at 2 years old and we added the frame and headboard around two and a half or so. He never had any problems adjusting or falling out. Good luck!

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S.P.

answers from Lafayette on

My daughter is the oldest and I moved her when she was two without any problems transitioning. My son was a different story. He did trasition finally at age 3. I put his bed against the corner wall and then used a protector that is a netting type of material on the other side to prevent him from rolling out of the bed. This worked great.

Hope this helps,
S.

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C.T.

answers from Fayetteville on

My daughter had a full size bed in her room since before she was born (she's got a nice big room.) I talked to her about sleeping in the big bed when she was about 2 1/2 or so, sometimes she would sleep in the big bed and sometimes she would sleep in her toddler bed. Finally she was ready to put the toddler bed away (it converted to a head board for the full size bed.) So I'd say she was around 3 when she was out of the toddler bed completely.

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B.R.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My son went directly from crib to twin bed at 20 months. He had no problems with the bigger bed, and we bought railings for it. We had a bunk bed frame (taken apart), so it is just a mattress, no box springs. That makes it low enough that he can climb in and out of bed on his own. Good luck!

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M.M.

answers from Huntsville on

I would get the bed sooner rather than after you move. Your daughter will not have to adjust to moving and a new bed all at once. The moving part will be hard --

We moved about 13 times in the Navy. Whenever my son saw a box come into the house he thought we were going again! Our "constant" was a dog -- I wouldn't suggest that to anyone as THE answer -- it was hard to stay in temporary quarters with an animal.

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K.B.

answers from Lake Charles on

My daughter moved when she was about 18months, didn't like the crib mattress anymore, would scream when we'd put her down in it. We transitioned her to a foldout couch/bed with her big brother, then split them both up into the twin beds. We have the mattress/boxspring on the floor, not so far to climb up or fall down. I did keep a rail on her bed for quite some time (until they broke it), and an extra pillow up around the top to keep her from falling out of the bed. We've never looked back!!

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M.H.

answers from Oklahoma City on

We moved our son to a twin bed at 18mo and just used railings to keep him from rolling off. Actually it was a full bed. We figured if we were going to buy a bed we should just buy one he can grow into and also be able to have one other child in the bed if necessary.

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C.I.

answers from Fort Smith on

Follow your instincts. I did it differently with all three children. The first child went directly from a crib to a full size bed (I used rails for a little while) at 20 months. My second daughter wouldn't share a bed with her sister (our original plan) so I borrowed a toddler bed from my parents. It was low enough that I didn't use a rail. I figured when she quit rolling out, she would be ready for her "big" bed. She made the move at about 2.5 years because the third baby would need the crib. The third child stayed way too long in the crib because we were building a house and I wanted to wait to give her the twin beds and put the oldest back in the full size bed. There is no right or wrong answer. Just make it work for your family.

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M.E.

answers from Jackson on

We have 4 kids, and have moved the oldest two to twin beds around 3 years old, because there has been another one coming up that needed the toddler bed. Right now my 3 1/2 year old is still in a toddler bed, and I don't have any plans to move her before her birthday because I don't want to buy a bed right now! haha It really doesn't matter when, you could easily wait until you move to get her a bigger bed.
-M.

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R.L.

answers from Tulsa on

We just got our son one about 2 months ago. He'll be 3 in 2 months. It is a 'captains bed' with drawers underneath. It is rather low to the ground. We didn't even get him one of those gate things for the bed. I just position him closer to the wall with a couple pillows up against the wall (which works well when I read stories, I have something to lay on). I also put a large cushion on the floor where his head would land, just in case. He has really enjoyed it and I don't think he has fallen out at all. I enjoy laying down with him to read stories. There's much more room! He had started sleeping on the floor when he was still in his toddler bed. I wonder if it's just too small for them to get comfortable, afraid to fall out!

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K.S.

answers from Lafayette on

My story probably isn't that relevant to you...my oldest daughter who is 2 1/2 moved into a daybed at the young age of 15 1/2 months, only because her sister was just born and we would be needing the crib. She did very well with the transition from her toddler bed, which she was in for only 2 months prior. It sounds like your daughter is ready. Go for it after you move!

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

When my daughter was about 2, she started climbing out of the crib, which was pretty high. I was worried about her falling and getting hurt while climbing out, so I got a day bed, and turned it so that the open side was against the wall - that kept her from falling out at night until she got used to the bed, and it was low enough that she could safely climb over the rail if she woke up during the night or before me in the morning.

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J.R.

answers from Texarkana on

Hi! My daughter is 2 1/5, and she's been in a twin bed for about 4 months now. She just didnt have enough room in her toddler bed. We found a frame that sat low to the ground, and she absolutely loves being in a bigger bed. I hope this helps!

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S.P.

answers from Tulsa on

My 1st son was moved straight from his crib to a twin bed at age 2 years and a couple of days since my second son was born. My first son thought it was such a big boy thing he was very excited!! My second son moved inot a twin bed straight from the crib at 2 years and 5 months (waited until we moved and made it a big deal for him too) Of course the 8 month old is still in the crib now. I think age wise she is more than ready to have a twin bed BUT there is no real rush since she is in a toddler bed. :-)

M.G.

answers from Oklahoma City on

my daughter will be 2 the day after christmas and i just put her in full size bed and she loves it. i have a bed rail and she also turns side ways in it...i lay down with her and she goes to sleep. i have it pushed agianst the wall and i made a long round pillow that goes against the wall so when she rolls over she bumps against it. i have pics if you would like to see them just let me know.

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T.S.

answers from New Orleans on

Hey S.,
If you have the room, I'd buy a full size bed. I moved my daughter from a toddler bed to a full size bed when she was two and did the same with my son. My daughter is now 12 yrs old and still in the same bed. I bought a really nice sturdy bedroom set so she can take it with her when she moves out if she wants. I made sure to buy a bedroom set that will still suit her as a teenager. It really didn't matter, she wants a new bedroom set now. Then again, at this age, she wants everything! Time goes by so fast. Good luck and hope this helped. T.

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J.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

both of my kids (8 and 2) switched from crib to twin bed on their 2nd birthday. We thought it was a waste of money to buy a toddler bed for 1 year. We used a side rail on the twin bed. It works well. No problems. Except my 2 year old still likes to sneak in mom and dads room in the middle of the night. But getting better.

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B.P.

answers from Hattiesburg on

my son got out ogf the crib at 18mths old and i put him in a twin then, i did not use the rails i put some pillows on the floor if he fell out. my daughter is 15 mths and she is trying to get out of the crib but has not done it yet and i will do the same for her but not untill she decides to climb out.

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D.M.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I put my 2 boys in their own twin beds when they were 2 & 3. They did fine with it and still do. They are 3 & 5 now. I had 2 beds with matt. & box springs with headboards. I use a bedrail on both of them just to be sure they dont fall out.

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D.R.

answers from Huntsville on

I swapped my little guy for his third birthday. He was a big boy so he was really outgrowing the crib mattress and his uncle built him a bed that he insisted be painted john deere green, so i let him have it that color and he loved it from the first night in it!! I think the important thing is to make it exciting and if possible let her be in on the choice. And, it sounds like your move is the perfect time to do it. My little boy still turned sideway in it a lot until recently. I added a real comforter and he doesn't seem to find himself sideways anymore. Get ready it's a tear jerker to see that baby bed gone and the big bed replace it!!
Have a fabulous day and god bless!!

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T.G.

answers from New Orleans on

My son had the same problem when he was 4. We had gotten him a toddler bed for Christmas when he was 2, thinking it would be perfect. By age 4 he was sideways, upside down, or on the floor! After Hurrican Katrina wiped out every bed we had we decided to get him a queen sized bed because his room was rather large (and we got a very good deal on it). I was worried that he might fall off but surprisingly he never did. I was so glad to have made that purchase and was relieved that I wouldn't have to buy another bed for a while. However, 2 weeks ago my husband came home with a bunk bed. Now I'm the one getting no sleep! Good luck!

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B.L.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Obviously she could be in a twin bed now - with a rail if necessary. But they can stay in the toddler beds for quite awhile. My oldest had a tiny bedroom. The toddler bed allowed more room to play, so she stayed in it until 4. One day a friend came over to play and said, "who sleeps in that baby bed?" We decided it was time to move up to bunkbeds. Our 2nd child moved from the crib to the bottom bunk at 2 yrs old. 3rd moved from crib to a double bed at 2 yrs old.

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K.Q.

answers from Little Rock on

We went right to the twin mattress, box spring and frame at our son's 2-yr birthday. She may need a little stool to get up, but getting down is NOT a problem. Cheers.

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A.G.

answers from Houma on

Hi, my daughter was almost 3 when we switched her to a full sized bed. She would tell me she didn't like her toddler bed and wake up crying a lot. She sleeps much better in a big bed and has room to toss and turn.

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C.G.

answers from Huntsville on

Hi S.,
I have a friend who's 3.5 yr old is in a twin bed (has been since she was about 3).
The thing I wanted to tell you about was the Frame-it's about 2 inches off the floor, so the mattress is only about 5 inches off the floor.
My Daughter was crawling all over her bed during a playdate and she fell off 2 or 3 times and didn't hurt herself. I think that's a Fantastic Idea. I'm sure the frame isn't much more (if any) than a regular frame that's WAY off the floor (to a little kid)and probably less than rails. Also this bed is in the middle of the floor only the head is against the wall.
If you were worried, you could put it in a corner and one side would have a wall to prevent her from rolling off.
OH-another friend just put her daughter in a Queen bed with the mattress/box spring on the floor (No Frame, no head/footboards).
Hope this helps.
C. :-)

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

I would say when you mave put a twin size bed in her room along with the toddler bed. She may just choose to go to the twin size on her own. K has slept in a twin size bed since she was under 2. I had a child care center and my little ones went from baby beds to cots at 10 months. The cots were several inches from the ground and sagged slightly when the kids were laying on them. I didn't use any type of rails with K in the twin bed but did put it in the corner so that 2 sides were on a wall. You can always put pillows on the floor if it is hard.

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J.B.

answers from Florence on

Since we had a convertible crib, and I'm pregnant with my second child, we had to go ahead and transition my son. He was probably 20 months or so when we did it. We bought a bunk bed with a full size bed on the bottom (so we'd still have a place for company to sleep), and he sleeps better in it that he ever did in the toddler bed. I think b/c he has so much room to move around. He always seemed to fall off the toddler bed. Poor kid! haha anyway, that's when we did it. Good luck!

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