Toddler Bed Question - New York,NY

I would get a twin bed if you are buying one new. My older one went to a twin bed at 2.5 and did fine. My daughter is almost 3 and going to a twin bed after the holidays.

toddler beds are a waste of money ... just get a twin (or whatever size you like) mattress and put it on the floor if you're nervous about your child falling out. Then pop it on a box spring and frame once you're OK w/ them staying in bed.

I had our crib made into a bed (it wasn't the conversion kind... I had to have someone make a frame) it's adorable... but my kids are too big for them now. I wish i had just gone into twins b/c that's now what I have to buy (even had custom sheets, etc. made for it... TOTAL waste of money.)

IKEA makes a few toddler beds that are nice looking - but no, they don't take the mattress from the crib - there is an in between mattress that it takes. I believe all toddler beds take an in between (crib/ toddler/ twin) mattress - hence it being a scam.

Go with a twin (or full/queen).

"Toddler Beds" are a TOTAL marketing gimmick (and no, most don't fit crib mattresses... you buy an entire new frame, mattress, bedding, and then turn around in a year and buy a whole new set all over again. SOME fit crib mattresses, but most are about 6- 9"longer).

Know, too, that they do NOT support adult weight. Which might not seem like a big deal now when you're used to a crib BUT when your toddler starts having nightmares, or you want to read a story before bedtime, or you need to lean on it to change the sheets... you CAN'T. Because it will break. Ditto, jumping on them (toddlers never JUMP on furniture, do they?) can break them very very fast.

Just put the twin on the floor, or twin and box springs on the floor. There are GREAT kids' sheets and duvet sets. It will still be FUN, you'll just get to keep everything for 5-10 years instead of 1-2 years. And be able to snuggle with them, sit to check a fever / stroke a back, read (without having to sit on the floor or bring in a whole new chair and have your child constantly climbing out of bed to come sit on you), change the sheets, etc., without having to worry about breaking it.

we got our sons at walmart. i think my hubby paid $50 for it and we just used his crib mattress. It is a dark wood and has the short side rails. It is very sturdy and has solid pieces. we put him in it when he was about 15 months old and he is a little over 2 1/2 now. I wouldn't get the plastic/cartoon themed ones though because if they are going to use it for several years then you never know how their interests are going to change.

Just go to a twin or full. It is a waste of money, even if it costs you 10 dollars. If you are worried that he will fall off (my son never did) then get a side rail. My son went straight to a full. We can lay in bed together and read, pray, or cuddle. You would have to sit on the floor or something similar if you got a toddler bed. I think toddler bed, Moses Baskets and changing tables all fall in to the same category.

If space is a huge issue, then yes, all toddler beds use a crib mattress.

We got O. on craigslist for $20.
Yes--they all use a crib mattress.
IMO, they're kind of a waste though--unless you really don't have the room for a twin.

A toddler is a child that is between 12 and 24 months. Your child is too old to be just starting in a toddler bed, if they do fit it won't be long before they won't fit and they'll need another bed. Since you didn't put them in one when they were at the right age you need to buy a twin or larger and just stick with that until they grow up and move out.

Honestly I would skip the toddler bed, it is a waste of money. Just get a twin mattress and put in on the floor, than when they get older you can add the frame and boxspring.