Should I switch to a toddler bed?

Laura - posted on 10/05/2010

If your 16 month old is anything like my 15 month old, i would go with another play pen. My daughter moves so much in her sleep, & also would climb out of a toddler bed if i i put her in one. Since money is tight, you could look into buying 3 in 1 crib (one that goes from the crib-toddler-to a full size bed) You can buy decent Graco brand at target for well under $150, & if that is still to much check out a good used kids store or craigslist. I have seen some really nice 3 in 1's at both. A lot of time for about the same price you could buy a toddler bed or play pen for. If you get the 3 in 1 when your son is both old enough & ready for the toddler bed you already have it & you dont have to worry about buying a bigger bed when he is older. I bought my daughter a 5 in one at JC Penny & it was the best money i speny. Good Luck!

Stephanie - posted on 10/04/2010

I would just go with the toddler bed. If you get the play pen she'll use it for a few more months and then be too big for it and you'll have to try and get a toddler bed for her then. Lots of toddler beds have side rails too, so you don't have to worry about her falling out of it or anything like that.

Jennifer - posted on 10/02/2010

i would rather do a toddler bed shes only 16 mos old.. she will last in a toddler bed for a few yrs and its comfortable.. i switched my 4 yr old out of a toddler bed last yr..after he turned 4.. but i guess it would depend on weight and everything too.. but toddler bed is good right now.. its low to the ground and if she falls she wont get hurt..

Martha - posted on 10/02/2010

Since it sounds like funds are tight, I would invest in a twin bed, and get the toddler sides, that way you are set when she is out of the toddler bed cause they dont last very long!

Susana - posted on 10/02/2010

A toddler bed with side rails. Playpens they learn to climb out of and can hurt themselves.

Maria - posted on 10/01/2010

My son moved from crib to full size bed at 2 1/2. I would say buy a trundle bed. Let her use the bottom bed until you feel comfortable with her being in the top bed. This way you will not have to buy her a big girl bed. You can use the top part to house her stuffed animals, books etc.

Lacye - posted on 10/01/2010

once again thanks everybody for the advice.

@Heather you are pretty much right about a toddler bed. it's smaller than a twin and really low to the ground so it's easier for the kids to get out of. But i was thinking about a toddler bed because my daughter is 23 pounds at the most, and is barely 2 feet. she's a tiny child (not sure where she got that from because i'm 5'7 and her daddy is 6'2!)

Chrissy - posted on 10/01/2010

With my kids, we didn't buy a toddler bed, they went from sleeping in the crib to sleeping on a twin mattress on the floor until they didn't roll off, then put the bed on a frame, but I didn't do that until they were 18 mos or so.

Heather - posted on 09/30/2010

My sons's were about 18 months old when I put them from their cot into a 'real' grown up sized bed. I was worried about they rolling out so I put their bed against a wall and put their cot mattress next to the bed on the other side. They had absolutely no problems and loved being 'big' boys. I'm not sure what a toddler bed is... is it a half sized bed or something? If it is, it does sound like an piece of skillful marketing by manufacturers to get you to spend unnecessary money that it sounds like you don't have. A set of side rails on a 'big' bed would also be a good option.

Starr - posted on 09/30/2010

I would really switch to a toddler bed. Your child can use it for along time. I have a little girl too she is 3yrs going on four in Nov., she's still using her toddler bed. The play pen only works for so long they grow out of them so quick. And are hard to clean-up when it comes to potty training time. You'll save money going in this direction I would think. GOOD LUCK!!

Julie - posted on 09/30/2010

I have to say that I agree with Candy & Lisa. We never used a toddler bed. They went straight to a twin bed with rails. This was perfect for us and saved us the expense of a toddler bed that they were only going to use for a few months. If you look on Craigslist and at the thrift stores you could pick up a decent twin size very cheaply. It will be a better investment with the twin bed in the long run. :) Good luck!

Lacye - posted on 09/29/2010

thanks everyone! i'm going to get the toddler bed!

and Bonnie no she hasn't been uncomfortable in the play pen because i put down some extra padding for her when it was time to lay down. but thank you for the advice. :)

Dana - posted on 09/29/2010

i put my son in a toddler bed at 14 months, with the new found freedom he got up at night the first few nights, but after he got used to it he loves it! he destroyed his actual crib, and i am so glad we put him in a toddler bed. its a little more work at forst but id say it is worth it :) hope it helps! i say go for it !

Lisa - posted on 09/29/2010

We put my daughter from her crib into a twin sized bed at 18 months. We had another baby on the way and needed the crib. We put it up against a wall and bought one of those mesh rails for the open side.
My son (the one we kicked our daughter out of the crib for!) would never sleep in his crib. Started in a bassinet and would only sleep in his playpen. We put him into a toddler bed at 12 months because he outgrew the playpen.

If you're worried about money, buy a twin bed. You'll get more life out of it then a toddler bed. If you're worred about her falling out you can always buy a rail (I think they're about $25 at Wal-Mart) or just put the mattress onto the floor until she gets a little older.

Julie - posted on 09/29/2010

Can you buy a crib that is second-hand at a reasonable price? Make sure the bars are close together so there's no accidents and make sure mattress is in great shape. People should be clean that you buy from and always look for bed-bug bloodspots!

Sarah - posted on 09/29/2010

I switched my kids to toddler beds at a year, and had less trouble than some of my friends who were switching 2 and 3 year olds! My youngest currently sleeps in a play pen because of lack of space, and we are planning to switch her directly to a toddler bed. If you are worried about her falling out, put the mattress directly on the floor for a few weeks. That way, she can roll out and learn the limits of the bed without getting hurt. Once she stops rolling out (it took 3 weeks with my firstborn, 5 days with my second son) put the mattress back in the bedframe. Good luck!

Amy - posted on 09/29/2010

I agree with Candy. If you are going to spend the money just get a twin bed with the rails and get a good waterproof mattress pad. There are more bedding(sheets and blankets) options for the twin bed also. The twin bed should last you about 7-10 years so it may be woth it.

Jane - posted on 09/29/2010

I would say go for the toddler bed. My little boy, is 17 months, and has been in his for a month and is loving it, so give it a go :)

Candy - posted on 09/29/2010

You know if you could I would buy her a twin bed and put rails on it. That way in a year you dont have to buy another bed because she out grew the toddler bed. Mine did fine in their twin beds.

Paulette - posted on 09/28/2010

I would go with the toddler bed. It's low enough to the ground in case she would fall out.

Sarah - posted on 09/28/2010

I would go with the toddler bed, definitely. One of my friends started her son in a toddler bed at 15 months old.

Lisa - posted on 09/28/2010

I would suggest getting a toddler bed instead of a playpen. it is more comfortable & will last longer. Your child will grow out of the playpen quicker than you think & the bed will last and get more use out of it.

Bonnie - posted on 09/28/2010

I wouldn't think that a playpen is all that comfortable to sleep in. Secondly, most toddler beds are good to start at around 15-18 months. I switched both my boys to a toddler bed at 20 months and 18 months. You might as well get her use to a toddler bed now.

Ricky - posted on 09/28/2010

I would personally buy the toddler bed in this situation. It will last you longer in the long run, because soon she will outgrow the playpen and you will have to buy her a new bed anyway.

Jennifer - posted on 09/28/2010

I have no idea what a playpen is...well I'm from the UK and here what is called a playpen would never be used for a child so sleep in so kinda confused about that part lol! Apart from that I'd say you'd probably be better off buying a toddler bed as it will be more useful int he longrun.