How quickly babies grow! In the blink of an eye they will be crawling. Before you know it, they would have started walking! As a parent, you must do all you can to make transitions like these, as seamless as possible. Which is why, that transition from crib to bed is something you need to plan, well before your children make that all-important move.
You can rest assured that we have thoroughly scrutinised the pros and cons, where it comes to choosing the right toddler bed for your little one.
Toddler Bed Basics
A toddler bed is nothing short of being a more compact bed for small children. Typically around the size of a regular crib, it even makes use of a crib-size mattress.
You will usually find low rails along the sides of toddler beds, to prevent children from falling out. While this baby child bed might sit directly on the floor, it might also be fitted with low legs. This property, that of the toddler bed being ‘low’, facilitates the smooth movement of little ones in and out of the bed.
When you should make the move
Already thinking of a cool toddler bedding set to go with that baby child bed? Firstly, a look at whether your child might even be ready for that toddler bed, after all.
You want to ensure your child is developmentally ready, before you make that transition from the crib to the bed. It might not be safe if they aren’t. For instance, your child might be too young to get out of bed at night and wander around.
Here are three signs that serve to indicate that your toddler might just be ready for their first ever bed, after all.
- They are sleeping through the night
- They can climb out of the crib when it is at the lowest setting
- They are about three feet tall
7 Key Bed Features to Note When Selecting a Toddler Bed
Here are the key considerations one needs to make when selecting a toddler bed for their little one. Ensure that the bed you finally zone in on, ticks all the boxes where it comes to these vital bed features.
- Safety
- Design
- Durability
- Comfort
- Non-Toxic
- Price Point
- Room Layout
When it’s your little ones you’re talking about, safety is paramount. It can be most scary for a baby to wave goodbye to the safety of their crib, and enter a space that is unfamiliar to them. Ensure to follow three safety guidelines while choosing a toddler bed.
Guardrails. You might never leave the baby alone for a second, but you can never be too careful. Having guardrails in place is an absolute must for a 2 year old baby bed.
As low as possible. That bed should be low enough for the baby to climb in and out of, with a greater than usual sense of ease.
A mattress that fits! When choosing that toddler bedding set, select a mattress that fits snugly into the bed frame, with no gaps between the mattress and the frame, for enhanced safety.
Did you know design is the key factor in toddler bed ideas?
Toddler beds come in all sorts of shapes and colours. There will be beds made of metal and those made of wood. While some are classic, others are modern. With so many options abounding, it’s pertinent that you ask the following two questions while choosing a toddler bed.
Is this the bed they might enjoy sleeping in? Note: This is something that you need to have a gut feeling about, really.
Is this bed in keeping with the theme I have planned for the baby’s bedroom? For instance, you might choose a pink bed for a girl’s Princess-themed room.
You might get carried away and buy a bed that looks something like a castle, because castles seem to be your little one’s things at the moment. Remember this: kids are into racing cars one day, and dinosaurs the next. Make sure you don’t buy a bed simply because it conforms to some popular fad, either. Instead, choose a classic piece of furniture that seamlessly blends into any décor choice.
Did you know that durability is the key feature for a 2-year-old baby bed?
That bed might look really cool, but is it strong enough for a baby jumping in it countless times? It’s most important that the bed be sturdy. This is far more important than it being trendy, whimsical or even themed. Keeping that in mind, ensure to follow the two guidelines while choosing a toddler bed.
The bed needs to be made with a strong wood, like sustainable pine. Having a bed with a metal spring base helps.
Needless to say, if the bed you choose is not comfortable enough, you’re going to have a hard time keeping your toddler in it all night. As a rule, firm mattresses are much better for toddlers than overly soft ones.
There are certain toddler beds that are laced with toxic chemicals that can irritate your toddler’s eyes and respiratory tract. When choosing that toddler bed, it might be a good idea to choose one made of 100% solid wood, one that features a water-based finish, and is VOC-free. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, which are the very toxic chemicals you want to keep away from the vicinity of your toddler!
You really don’t need to go overboard, when shelling out money for that bed you feel is the perfect fit for your little one. That being said, you don’t want to spend too less on it, either. As we have touched upon earlier, choose one that’s made of solid wood. Also, ensure you factor in the cost of that mattress!
It’s only elementary to adapt your choice of toddler bed to the amount of space you have in the room. Tip: You can optimise storage and even declutter your child’s room, by using the space under the bed.
Conclusion
The progression of children is to move them from the cot to the bed. Many children need more extensive beds at the age of 2. The progression could be challenging for certain children to adjust, so choosing the right toddler bed is essential. The article addressed the essentials of providing a toddler bed for your children, key features, and toddler bed basics while selecting a bed. Do you have anything else to share with us?
We at EuroKids believe that it’s certainly a good idea to invest in a good toddler bed. Not only will it help children seamlessly transition to a regular bed, it can even be passed onto siblings in case you’re planning another child!
For informative and accurate articles on all things related to your new born-toddler’s development, growth, health and nutrition, follow EuroKids Blogs and do check out our nationally recognized preschools – EuroKids for the first step in your kid’s educational journey!
