Toddler Beds Buying Guide

Is your little baby  not so little any more?  If your child has grown over 92 centimetres tall or has been escaping the crib  lately, chances are it may be time to buy a toddler bed.  These handy pieces of furniture help bridge the gap between cribs and regular beds , using a standard crib mattress on a bed frame  that is low to the ground and thus, easily accessible for your tot.  But making the transition may not be easy, especially if your toddler is moving to a bed simply because you need the crib for bouncing baby number two.  So to help make sure that you smoothly pick the perfect little bed for your growing baby, we've put together the go-to guide.

Why a Toddler Bed?

If you're wondering why you shouldn't go straight to a grown-up bed, consider this:

• Toddler beds are less expensive than purchasing a twin  or full size bed frame ,mattress  and box spring .
• Toddler beds use crib mattresses , so you can recycle the one from your existing crib.
• Toddler beds are more secure than a regular style bed, as they often have security rails to protect your child from falling.
• Toddler beds will allow you child to move in and out of bed freely, regular size beds require assistance for some time.
• Toddler beds are great if your child's room or nursery is a smaller space, since they take up less room than traditional models.

How to Do It

You can do things to help make the transition easier.

• Let your child be as involved as possible in picking out the new bed.  This helps to ensure that he or she will be truly excited about going to sleep in his or her new space.
• If night-time sleeping in the toddler bed is a problem, trying easing your child into it by using it for naps during the day.
• Take as many accessories and toys from the crib as you can, and place them into the new toddler bed so it becomes a familiar space.
• You can also move the new bed into the position the crib was in as a way of making the experience more familiar.
• You can place the toddler bed in the room a few months before you start using it, just so you child can satisfy his or her curiosities about it.
• Avoid moving your tot into the toddler bed during an otherwise stressful time--starting a new daycare, potty training , etc.

Some Styles

Crib Tents  A crib tent is one possible alternative to moving to a toddler bed.  This keeps the child from crawling out of the crib, and gives you a few extra months of peace before the big move.  The American Academy of Paediatrics, however, warns against their use because it may be difficult to remove the child in an emergency situation.  Its use may also cause your child to feel unnecessarily confined, so you have to weigh your options.	Convertible Cribs  Starting with a convertible crib that turns into a toddler bed makes the transition much easier, because it is a space that your child is used to.  Simply remove the front panel of the crib and you're good to go.	Theme Beds  Theme beds may make your toddler feel more at ease in his or her new "big kid" bed.  There are several popular themes for boys available, including cars, trucks, trains and planes.  For girls, princess carriages and canopies are all the rage.	Traditional Beds  Traditional toddler beds share a few key design elements.  They have small side railings near the headboard that keep your child from rolling off of the bed during the night.  They also have an unusually short footboard, or no footboard at all.  This makes it easier for your toddler to get in and out of bed for naps.	Sleigh Beds  Sleigh beds have tall head and footboards along with side railings to make sure that your child is still secure while sleeping.  This is often a unique design element that is incorporated into theme beds.

Related Guides

Toddler Bedding	Bassinets	Cot Bedding	Baby Cots	Nursery Furniture

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Kinderbedje Shopgids