Toddler Bed or Straight to Big Bed

I Would go with the regular bed, you can alawys get the rails to put on the bed if you feel necessary. Why buy to beds, waste of time and money!

I put mine right from the crib to a full size bed before they were two years of age. They did great. We made a big deal of it though. I got special sheets, a special blanket, a night light, let them pick out a special stuffed toy to sleep with. There were no problems they slept the night through on the first night. Hope this helps.

HI, My son was almost 2 when he went right to a twin size bunk bed. He slept on the bottom of course..LOL I did go out and buy the plastic rails that walmart sells but they were never really needed. I hope this helps you decide.

Good Luck,
Shawn
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We took the side off of our crib and my son slept in that for about 1 month and then he went into a twin size bed with a rail. I don't think it matters, her going into the full size should be fine. My son didn't do this until he was almost 3 and we moved him so that he would be well established before his sister came along. He never tried to climb out, so don't assume she will. Leave her as long as she likes it, believe me. The longer you can go the better, I am positive about that! It should be her decision or she should be really open to it. If you force this, it will end in disaster. We had my son's bed in his new room for that whole month and one night he decided that is where he wanted to be. I let him do it on his own. She is still very young, don't rush!

Hi K....I went directly from the crib to a full size bed. My kids loved it. I believe in skipping the toddler stage beds. Just a waste of money. I even bought my one daughter a little step to get up in her bed b/c it was so high off the ground. (It has a trundle underneath it) She thought that was so cool. Both of my girls were in their big beds at age 26 months and 24 months. I also skipped the little potty stage too. Went right to the potty seat on the big potty. That eased a lot of fears and anxiety. Good luck!!

I'm interested in the reponses also to this. my daughter will be 3 in june. she is still in the crib. thanks to the video monitor, the few times she has started to lift her leg to think about climbing out, I was able to rush right in and correct her. I would always put her leg back in the bed and lay her down repeatedly if needed. I would never pick her up out of bed if she did this, so she wouldn't think attempting to lift her leg over the rail would get her out in any way. everyone I talked to who has had to move their child to a big bed because they started climbing out has told me to keep her in her crib as long as possible. that is what I'm doing. I did find an inexpensive toddler bed by Graco at a garage sale for $30. I think they sell for 100-150. it is plastic and has a side build in on both sides. it uses her matress from her crib. sometimes I'm tempted to get it out because it is very cute. but then I remind myself how easy the crib is when she doesn't want to go right to sleep,she will play with her dolls in the crib and eventually lay down. I'm not yet ready for the fight to stay in bed. especially during nap time. my husband has his heart set on her getting bunk beds for her real bed. she is our only child. but I think it is a child hood dream of his. I have told him that I really want to use the toddler bed as a transition for at least 6 months or longer before we make that move to the bunk beds. I know a child shouldn't be in the top bunk until they are I think 6, but I know she'll want to climb up there all the time. good luck in your decision. also, if you do a cheaper toddler bed at first, then your daughter will be older and be able to help you more with the choosing of her big bed that she will have for longer.

Don't waste your money on a toddler bed.

When my son transitioned I just put the crib mattress on the floor for a few months then went to a twin mattress then after a bit put the box springs under the mattress that way if he fell out of bed it wouldnt such a far fall. Good luck.

All three of mine transitioned straight to a regular twin bed - we never did the toddler thing. My oldest transitioned at 2-1/2 only because #2 was on his way and the crib was going to be needed. She'd been sleeping in the crib with the rail down for a long time. She never needed the bed rail when she transitioned. #2 moved out at about 2 when #3 was on his way. He LOVED his crib and didn't want to get rid of it. He needed the bed rail otherwise he fell out of bed. #3 was a monkey boy and he was out before 2 b/c he was dangerous climbing in and out of the crib. He needed the rail for a long time b/c he'd wedge himself between the edge of the bed and the rail to sleep, everytime we'd remove the rail he'd fall out of bed.

Good luck - and I say save the money and just use a regular bed.

In this economy, save your money. Unless you find a great deal on a toddler bed at a consignment shop, buy a regular bed. You can get a side rail for $20 or less. My son never fell out. I even had one when I was a child. And she can use it for years. It's also great "big girl" incentive. :)

Hi K., I was in the same situation as you are. My daughter's crib goes straight to full size. I decided to purchase a toddler bed for her since it is lower to the ground and I didn't have to worry about her having problems getting in and out of it on her own. She didn't try climbing out of her crib at all but I thought that it was time to give her her own "big girl" bed. Since the toddler bed I bought at Wal-mart was only $50 I figued it would be a good transition in between with not a huge expense of new mattresses and whatnot. Good luck with your decision! I think at toddler bed is a good idea.

Even though our crib did change into a toddler bed, we only used it in that stage for a couple of months - then she went to her full size bed. We do have a rail on one side (the other side faces the wall) and we have a little step stool for her (which she loves). She loves her "big" bed. She started sleeping in it when she was 22 months old. I agree with the others - don't waste your money with a toddler bed:)

I slept in a big bed when I was at least two, maybe younger, and lived to tell the tale. When we had lots of family it was easy to expand into my room, either guests would stay in there and I'd stay with my parents or my parents would take over my bed. Either way I got to sleep in a sleeping bag next to my mom and dad which I was only ever allowed to do then or during thunderstorms. Waterproof mattress covers come in all sizes. Unless someone is giving away a toddler bed save your money. I guess now they make bed rails. Might have been nice.

I put the crib mattress on the floor for awhile. My son went from there straight to a raised up twin bed. My daughter is in a toddler bed, but that's just because we happened across one that didn't cost anything. Otherwise I would have went straight for the bigger bed. Waste of money!

I would recommend a toddler bed. My daughter is 4 and still using her Dora toddler bed. I know she can still use it for another year or so... She loves it because it's pink, very low off the floor so even if she falls out, she can't hurt herself. Take your daughter shopping w/ you and let her choose the theme. It makes the transition a lot easier when she gets what she wants. Good luck :-)

I think it would depend on how confident you are in your daughters ability to hand the conversion. You can get a very inexpensive toddler bed at walmart or target and use your current crib mattress. My only fear would be if she doesn't adjust to change very well that she may not sleep well in the big bed. Either way, both my boys were in a twin size bed by age 2, but we they both spent at least 4 months in a toddler bed to transition and I had no problems with either transition. I have heard horor stories about having to go out and buy a toddler bed and keeping both beds in the room until the child was ready.

Good luck on what ever decision you make - neither will be bad for her!

Sam

Either way you should be fine. I guess if it were me, I would do it the less expensive way. Money is tight with my family now so if I didn't have a cribb that could convert I would prob just save up and get her a full size with some bet rails rather than buy a toddler bed then a full size bed down the road. Your baby girl will be happy with what ever you deside. Just make it a huge deal she is getting a Big Girl Bed. Good luck!

I think it depends on your daughter. If she's comfortable in the bigger, taller bed, go for it.

That said, we actually bought a bed from Ikea that extends from toddler, to mid-size to twin. The foam mattress comes in pieces that you can put in or take out. And it's very low to the ground. We love it!

We went straight to a full size bed with our daughter when she was 2 and we are in the process of transitioning our son to a full size bed right now and he is 21months old. I think it was the best thing I ever did. I feel like it forces you to spend a little more now, BUT... it will save you money in the long run. My daughter is 4 1/2 now and LOVES her big girl bed... always has.