Toddler Bed Question

[luvthatduke]

DS (2) will be moving up to a big-boy toddler bed
when we return from WDW.
We were going to get him a fun, chunky plastic type
bed - most likely Thomas the Tank Engine.
While researching the other, more basic toddler beds
that "all" the stores seem to have, they only use
the crib mattress & are rated up to 50 lbs.
So we thought that getting the Thomas or
other type "fun" bed would perhaps be better
depending on how fast/how much DS grows in
the next few years (he's already over 30 lbs.),
because JCPenny has it with no weight rating.
But, Sears & other websites have a 50 lb. rating??
I don't understand...
I thought that with the plastic beds that sit on the floor
(like Thomas & the race car & another train one),
we could put a box spring underneath?

I'd appreciate any input from anyone who has used
this type of toddler bed.
Did you use a box spring underneath the crib mattress,
or did you use plywood?
I would think the mattress & box spring would sit
directly inside the plastic frame, and on the floor,
so the weight rating has me confused.

TIA for your help!

 

[elliemae1192]

My son has the big fire truck one and the mattress sits on top of the wheels leaving a space between the mattress and floor. On ours, there are two thin pieces of plywood holding it up. I would imagine you could replace that with sturdier wood and he could use it longer.

 

[cwnhokie]

I bought the little tykes race car bed at a consignment shop. It came with a crib mattress and a box spring type thing, but much thinner, in it. But I know people have used plywood. My son just turned 4, he has been in it for 2 years. I am trying to talk him into giving it up for his brother who just started climbing out of the crib, but he won't. He only weighs about 35 lbs, so the limit is not an issue. The mattress and box spring sits inside the molded plastic, so maybe it would bow if too much weight was on it. Well, I guess I am in the market now for another toddler bed. Good luck with yours.

 

[luvthatduke]

elliemae1192, thanks.
I saw pics of the fire truck, as well as a VW type car bed,
& it was clear they were off of the floor, so I didn't bother
looking at them further.
The Thomas bed & others seem to be flat on the floor,
that's why I was confused about the weight limit.

I bought the little tykes race car bed at a consignment shop. It came with a crib mattress and a box spring type thing, but much thinner, in it. But I know people have used plywood. My son just turned 4, he has been in it for 2 years. I am trying to talk him into giving it up for his brother who just started climbing out of the crib, but he won't. He only weighs about 35 lbs, so the limit is not an issue. The mattress and box spring sits inside the molded plastic, so maybe it would bow if too much weight was on it. Well, I guess I am in the market now for another toddler bed. Good luck with yours.

cwnhokie: thanks, that answered my question. I thought from
the pics that the mattress and/or box spring was actually sitting
inside the frame but on the floor. Good luck w/your DS giving it up!


So, anyone else have a Thomas bed or similar?

 

[EthansMom]

On my DS's old toddler bed, there were wooden slats, not a box spring to support the crib-sized mattress. I've never seen a crib-sized box spring. Also, try checking Toys R Us if you have one near you -- they may have the Thomas bed in stock and you could see it in person.

One note: my son had to go into a twin size bed recently at 3 years old. He outgrew the toddler bed not with his weight, but with his height!!!! He's over 40 inches tall now and got to where he was very cramped in the toddler bed. Depending on your son, you may want to consider putting him straight into a twin size bed.

EthansMom

 

[luvthatduke]

Thanks, EthansMom.

I'll check out TRUs,
I know BRus has tons of mattresses in stock,
all different grades & sizes, so I wonder if
they carry box springs.
I came up with the box spring query because
each website that advertises the Thomas bed
refers to needing "plywood or springs".

 

[dcgrumpy]

DS has the little tikes racecar toddler bed. We bought a wooden support board at Toys R Us.

 

[mom2triplets]

My kids are currently in the VW Bugs (2) and a race car bed. The bugs have there own frame and the mattress sits right on them. The race car has a board in it. I beleive the "springs" that they are referring to is the spring frame that is on the bottom of the crib. One of the race cars that I got had a spring from a crib in it, the other had a board.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Our toddler bed just has slats underneath and the crib mattress rests right on the slats. My son's bunkbed also is made the same way. It has slats and we purchased a "bunky board" to lay on the slats. We also ugraded the mattresses.

 

[Rapunsel]

My Ds3 went to a toddler bed when we found out DD was coming. He likes it, but is out growing it. Thankfully it was a hand me down so I didn't mind, but it looks like he will be in a twin size bed soon. We might just get a set of bunk beds from Ikea and DD will go from the crib to the twin. Heck I went from a twin to a full!
IMHO I look to see if this is an expense that is necessary and how long will it last..

Rapunsel

 

[luvthatduke]

I told DH about the great advice you all
had given, & now we're gonna go with
a regular wooden toddler bed, which costs
quite a bit less than the fun beds.

Thanks to all for your input,
it really helped