OT-Toddler Beds

[mcgrawfan]

I have been thinking about converting our DD's(2.5) crib into the toddler bed. How long has your children/child been able to use a toddler bed. Do you just use the same mattress that is in your crib?

 

[macmahony]

you use the same mattress, we were given toddler beds, and my girls all have used them until almost 5. My middle one wanted her little bed back, we we finally got her a big bed!

 

[kathi29]

My DD was in a toddler bed from a couple weeks before she turned 2 until about 4.5 when we bought her a big girl bed. She could have used it longer, but she needed a bigger bed so all her dolls and animals would fit in there with her

 

[jennifer293]

both of my girls went from the crib to toddler bed at 18 months, then from toddler bed to big girl bed at age 2. My kids are really tall and the toddler bed just was not big enough for them by the time they hit 2 years old.

 

[gonemousin']

My oldest DD moved to a toddler bed at 16 months, when she figured out how to put the crib rail down and had one leg over it when I caught her. We immediately ran out and bought a toddler bed for her! We moved her to a twin sized bed when she was 2.5 yrs old.

My youngest DD was also "evicted" from the crib early (15 months) for trying to climb out. Moved her to the toddler bed. However, she was not as tall as my older DD, so we were able to keep her in the toddler bed until just a couple of months ago (age 3yrs 4mths). Now she has her new "big girl bed" (twin sized) and she's thrilled.

 

[DwarfMaster]

My DD5 is still in her toddler bed. She's a short little girl so she's got plenty of room in there still. I'll bump her up to a big girl bed this summer before she heads off to kindergarten.

 

[bellarella]

IMHO toddler beds are a waste of money and seem to lead to sleep issues. We went right from cribs to twin beds with bed rails when my DDs were 2.5-2.75 years old. My friends who did toddler beds only used them for a short time and seemed to universally find that their children started getting up a lot when they transitioned to the toddler bed and not sleeping as well. My theory is that the toddler beds are so close to the floor that they invite kids to climb in and out of them. With a twin bed with rails, the setting is a little more crib-like and it is less tempting to be climbing in and out. Of course it is dependent on the temperament of the children but my RL sampling was pretty much consistent -- those that did the straight to twin route had a much easier time with the transition than those that went the toddler bed route.

Just my $.02, YMMV

 

[jessica52877]

I switched my sons crib to a toddler bed at 14 months (just took the front off, ours was easy) then at 26 months I put him in a twin bed! The crib/toddler bed was just too small for him!

 

[Gillennj]

IMHO toddler beds are a waste of money and seem to lead to sleep issues. We went right from cribs to twin beds with bed rails when my DDs were 2.5-2.75 years old. My friends who did toddler beds only used them for a short time and seemed to universally find that their children started getting up a lot when they transitioned to the toddler bed and not sleeping as well. My theory is that the toddler beds are so close to the floor that they invite kids to climb in and out of them. With a twin bed with rails, the setting is a little more crib-like and it is less tempting to be climbing in and out. Of course it is dependent on the temperament of the children but my RL sampling was pretty much consistent -- those that did the straight to twin route had a much easier time with the transition than those that went the toddler bed route.

Just my $.02, YMMV

I agree 100%. Both of my kids went from the crib to a twin bed at 2. They both adjusted just fine. I don't see the sense in a toddler bed, it's just a waste to me--more cost, and one more potential "transition issue", IMHO.

 

[T. Lynn]

My daughter was in a toddler bed when she was 1 1/2. It was the pink teddy bear bed and was given to us for free. If it wasn't given to us, I would have went right to a twin bed. No sense paying for a toddler bed but again, FREE was good.

 

[alikat99]

Both of my girls had their crib turned to a toddler bed (just take the front side off) between 20-24 months. Then, both of them moved to a twin bed around 2.5 yrs. I would have never bought a separate toddler bed, but if you have a convertible bed, you can use it to help to transition the child. But, we didn't let them stay in the toddler bed too long, before moving them to a twin bed. And, I think that my youngest, who just went to a twin bed a couple of months ago, she actually sleeps much better now in her twin bed.

 

[kileybeth]

well, we never moved anyone to a toddler bed per say but I would if it were free just to have the extra floor space for a while.

we actually have an antique bed that was my father's fathers (over 100+ years old) (and yes quite safe) that each of my 6 kids gets to "graduate" into. they are so thrilled to be getting a chance to have poppop's bed they have all transitioned fine. this bed is very close to floor, is shorter than a twin and a little wider (yup, nightmare sheet wise but worth it!)

I generally move for naptime first, than overnight.

oh and another use for the outgrown toddler bed if you have room? lots of our friends keep it up for a dolly/stuffed animal play/storage place.

our DD will be 2 years old on 05/05/05 so one more to go over here. she's a pixie though so no rush yet.

good luck to all of you!

 

[taraprather]

I put my DD in a toddler bed at 15 months. She just turned 3 and we are on the lookout for a twin bed for her now. She wears a size 5-6 (very tall), so she had definitely outgrown her bed! I'm wishing now that I never even got her a toddler bed, figuring she don't get much use out of it.

 

[kellia]

Dd was in a toddler bed for just a few months until we got dh's old twin bed, then she went to that with no problems. For the boys, we just put them from crib to twin beds at 2.5. Unless you are given one or get one really cheap, I'd skip it!

 

[Benducci]

My twins are 6 and still in toddler beds. My youngest is turning 4. We put them in when they turned 2. They all still fit into them though we are probably going to move the older two into twin beds this next year. I never had any problems with them sleeping in them. Once they were in, they staye in. I liked that they were low to the ground so if they ever fell out, they did not fall very far. We used the same crib mattresses - they ha a 15 year guaranty so I know they are still good!