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Toddler Beds and Toddler Bedding
A toddler bed is a small bed designed for specifically for toddlers that is used as your toddler transitions between a cot or crib and an ordinary single sized bed.
A toddler bed will usually be smaller than an ordinary bed and be set lower to the ground as well as having low side rails on each side of the bed. This helps prevent your toddler from accidentally rolling out of the bed whilst they are asleep.
Whilst a cot is fully enclosed and raised off the floor to allow a parent easy access to picking up a young baby, a toddler bed is instead set low to the ground to allow a toddler easy and safe entry from their bed to the floor.
Usually the mattress of a toddler bed is the same size as a cot mattress, so you may be able to use the mattress that you used in their cot. Many cots these days are convertible and can be used initially as a cot, but can then be adapted to a toddler bed. A good example of this is the Childcare brand Toddler Bed and Cot, one that I have and can recommend.
Whilst you can buy simple wooden toddler beds, there are also many licensed, themed and pictured toddler beds available on the market, such as racing car and fairy princess beds. This is a great idea to help your toddler not only express themselves, but find comfort in a big bed after leaving the familiar comfort and safety of the cot.
Whilst you can buy simple wooden toddler beds, there are also many licensed, themed and pictured toddler beds available on the market, such as racing car and fairy princess beds. This is a great idea to help your toddler not only express themselves, but find comfort in a big bed after leaving the familiar comfort and safety of the cot.
When I should I move my baby from a cot to a toddler bed?
There really is no set time that you have to move your baby to a toddler bed. Most children make the transition from cot to toddler bed somewhere between the ages of 18 months and three. However, around the age of two is most common for most young children.
Some parents move their child to a toddler bed when they feel that they have outgrown their cot. Often this decision is made after a parent starts seeing their baby trying to climb or jump out of his cot, and they become worried about them falling out and hurting themselves during the night or when unsupervised.
In other cases it will be the arrival of a new baby or the beginning of toilet training that will see a parent deciding that is time to move their baby from the cot to a toddler bed.
If you are moving your child to a bed because of the arrival of a new baby, it is important to do this at least 2 months prior to the arrival of the new baby, in order for your child to become adjusted to their new bed. This way they won’t feel like the new baby is stealing their special bed and become jealous. If the new baby is going in a bassinette first, then there is no need to move your toddler until the baby is 6 to 8 weeks away from moving into the cot.
No matter what age your child is, it is important to make sure that whether you buy a toddler bed or use a standard single bed that you use a guard or safety bed rail until your child is old enough to not roll out of the bed.
Some parents move their child to a toddler bed when they feel that they have outgrown their cot. Often this decision is made after a parent starts seeing their baby trying to climb or jump out of his cot, and they become worried about them falling out and hurting themselves during the night or when unsupervised.
In other cases it will be the arrival of a new baby or the beginning of toilet training that will see a parent deciding that is time to move their baby from the cot to a toddler bed.
If you are moving your child to a bed because of the arrival of a new baby, it is important to do this at least 2 months prior to the arrival of the new baby, in order for your child to become adjusted to their new bed. This way they won’t feel like the new baby is stealing their special bed and become jealous. If the new baby is going in a bassinette first, then there is no need to move your toddler until the baby is 6 to 8 weeks away from moving into the cot.
No matter what age your child is, it is important to make sure that whether you buy a toddler bed or use a standard single bed that you use a guard or safety bed rail until your child is old enough to not roll out of the bed.
Will my toddler want to move to his own bed?
Every child is different. Some children will love the excitement of moving to a big kid’s bed, and may think cot’s are for babies, whilst others will be very attached to their cot and may resist the change, particularly if it is because a new baby is coming or there have been other big changes in their lives.
Every child is different. Some children will love the excitement of moving to a big kid’s bed, and may think cot’s are for babies, whilst others will be very attached to their cot and may resist the change, particularly if it is because a new baby is coming or there have been other big changes in their lives.
Moving from a cot to a toddler bed is another big step in your child’s development and another sign that she is growing up. However, it is still important to try to ease the transition and allow your child time to adjust to the idea. Make sure you start talking about the move a few weeks before you begin the transition.
Try to find ways to make the move exciting. You could let them choose the bed. The bedding or you could throw a special party with their favourite toys to celebrate the new bed. Try to make a fuss about the new bed and make it seem fun, but don’t pressure them into the move. Give them time to play with it and get used to the new bed before making the move permanent. You could even try letting them use an old blanket or mobile from the cot to help the surroundings seem familiar.
As far as positioning goes, it is better if you can position the new bed in the same place as the cot was, so that your child has a familiar view of the room. And do not be too quick to pack the cot away. If possible try to keep both the bed and the cot set up for a while, just in case your child is not ready and needs to go back to the cot for a few days, weeks or months.
If they do want to go back to their cot for a while, don’t make a fuss or make them feel silly or childish, just allow them to go to the comfort of their cot and continue to undertake fun activities around the new bed, until they decide they are ready to give it a try.
Often first born children, who don’t have older siblings to copy, will find the transition from a cot to a toddler bed more difficult, but all children will be ready eventually. And when it finally happens your toddler will most likely be very excited about their new big bed.
Other things to consider when your child moves to a toddler bed?
Remember that now your toddler is out of a cot and into their own bed, they will now be free and mobile to move around their bedroom and the house at their own will. Make sure that you baby proof your child’s room and your home to ensure your toddler is safe, if they get up whilst you are asleep. One idea is to use safety gates to help parameter what areas of the house they have access to.
Make sure you teach your toddler how to get in and out of their bed safely, and consider using a nightlight in both their bedroom, the hallway and your bedroom in case they get up and start looking for you in the middle of the night.
Consider leaving your child with a comfort toy or friend to help keep them company. Sometimes this new found space and freedom can be a little frightening for a young child used to the safety of an enclosed cot.
Try to find ways to make the move exciting. You could let them choose the bed. The bedding or you could throw a special party with their favourite toys to celebrate the new bed. Try to make a fuss about the new bed and make it seem fun, but don’t pressure them into the move. Give them time to play with it and get used to the new bed before making the move permanent. You could even try letting them use an old blanket or mobile from the cot to help the surroundings seem familiar.
As far as positioning goes, it is better if you can position the new bed in the same place as the cot was, so that your child has a familiar view of the room. And do not be too quick to pack the cot away. If possible try to keep both the bed and the cot set up for a while, just in case your child is not ready and needs to go back to the cot for a few days, weeks or months.
If they do want to go back to their cot for a while, don’t make a fuss or make them feel silly or childish, just allow them to go to the comfort of their cot and continue to undertake fun activities around the new bed, until they decide they are ready to give it a try.
Often first born children, who don’t have older siblings to copy, will find the transition from a cot to a toddler bed more difficult, but all children will be ready eventually. And when it finally happens your toddler will most likely be very excited about their new big bed.
Other things to consider when your child moves to a toddler bed?
Remember that now your toddler is out of a cot and into their own bed, they will now be free and mobile to move around their bedroom and the house at their own will. Make sure that you baby proof your child’s room and your home to ensure your toddler is safe, if they get up whilst you are asleep. One idea is to use safety gates to help parameter what areas of the house they have access to.
Make sure you teach your toddler how to get in and out of their bed safely, and consider using a nightlight in both their bedroom, the hallway and your bedroom in case they get up and start looking for you in the middle of the night.
Consider leaving your child with a comfort toy or friend to help keep them company. Sometimes this new found space and freedom can be a little frightening for a young child used to the safety of an enclosed cot.
Toddler bedding and age for toddler pillows?
If you have a cot that converts to a toddler bed, then you will usually be able to use the same bedding for the converted bed. For standard single beds, then the usually single bed sheets and blankets will be fine.
If you have a cot that converts to a toddler bed, then you will usually be able to use the same bedding for the converted bed. For standard single beds, then the usually single bed sheets and blankets will be fine.
Try to use light weight blankets and linen to help ensure your toddler can move freely, does not overheat and is at a lesser risk of suffocation.
Children do not really need pillows until around the time they start school, however most toddlers want to be like their siblings and parents and may request a pillow.
If your toddler wants to use a pillow, you can start using one once they are around 2 ½ to 3 years of age. Make sure you buy a smaller, flatter and firmer style of pillow to ensure your toddler’s face does not sink into the stuffing. Some companies actually sell baby or toddler pillows that adhere to these specifications.
Make sure you always wash bedding at 50 degrees Celsius or above to ensure that dust mites are removed.
You may also consider using a mattress protector under your child’s sheets to protect the mattress. Just make sure that you only use cotton mattress protectors if your child is under the age of one, due to the suffocation risks.
Children do not really need pillows until around the time they start school, however most toddlers want to be like their siblings and parents and may request a pillow.
If your toddler wants to use a pillow, you can start using one once they are around 2 ½ to 3 years of age. Make sure you buy a smaller, flatter and firmer style of pillow to ensure your toddler’s face does not sink into the stuffing. Some companies actually sell baby or toddler pillows that adhere to these specifications.
Make sure you always wash bedding at 50 degrees Celsius or above to ensure that dust mites are removed.
You may also consider using a mattress protector under your child’s sheets to protect the mattress. Just make sure that you only use cotton mattress protectors if your child is under the age of one, due to the suffocation risks.
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