Top 5 Compared: The Best Crib Mattresses For Your BabyFurnitureNurseryCribsBassinetsDressersChanging TablesRocking Chairs & GlidersOttomansSofas & SetteesBookcasesToddler BedsCrib MattressBedroomWorkspacePlayroomBeddingStorageRugsLightingDecorBabyToys & GiftsNewSaleRoom GalleryOur StoriesTop Baby Registry Items What is a toddler bed?Toddler beds make the transition from crib to big kid bed easier. If your baby starts to climb out of the crib or is getting too big it's time to move to a toddler bed. These beds are lower to the ground making it easier for little kids to get in and out. They use a crib mattress and do not require guard rails.more Jenny Lind Toddler Bed Uptown Toddler Bed (White) Uptown Toddler Bed (Grey) Good Manor Toddler BedMost children move from a crib to a toddler bed sometime between a child’s first and third year. It's important not to make the switch too soon. When your little one is too big or active for a crib, consider these options.Toddler beds are a nice transition.
They’re about the size of a crib, so your child will feel snug and cozy. They use a crib mattress, so you won't have to invest in a new twin-sized or larger mattress just yet.Toddler beds have high sides or built-in rails to keep your child from falling or rolling out. And – adding to the kid appeal – they come in cool designs including spaceships, princess castles, or speed-demon cars.If your crib converts to a toddler bed, you can just use the conversion kit from the crib manufacturer (sometimes sold separately), which usually includes hardware and a bed rail. Swap one side of the crib for the rail, and you're done. Your child will enjoy the familiarity of the old crib and sleep safely enclosed, but will be able to get in and out without your help.See a photo gallery of our favorite toddler beds.A standard bed frame and mattress can also work. You'll need to install bed rails or inflatable or pillow-style bolsters on both sides to keep your child safely in bed.A mattress placed on the floor is another option, although you may still want to use bolsters to keep your child from wiggling off.
Once your little one has mastered the art of crib-free sleeping, you can move the mattress onto a frame.Browse dozens of toddler bedding and beds.Sturdy construction: Give the bed a good jostle – it needs to stand up to a few years of bouncing and other toddler wear and tear. The more solidly built the frame, the less likely you'll have to replace it after one too many dance parties. Solid wood costs more, but will endure better than cheaper materials.A snug fit: You want a frame that holds the mattress tightly. If the crib mattress you have doesn't fit snugly into the bed frame, buy one that does. Gaps between the mattress and the frame pose an entrapment hazard.Smooth edges: To avoid injuries, look for a design with an even, smooth finish and rounded edges, as well as hardware that doesn't jut out.Safety standards: Look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) certification seal on the packaging of the toddler bed and safety rails you buy.Side rails: Many kids toss and turn while sleeping, and a rail on each side helps prevent tumbles.
Some beds come with high sides or rails attached, while others have slots that let you attach ones purchased separately. Make sure any rails installed fit snugly against the edge of the mattress to avoid entrapment. Note that rails keep a child from falling but not climbing out of bed.Enticing designs: It may not be your personal taste, but a bed crowned with a princess tiara or emblazoned with a favorite cartoon character may be just the lure your toddler needs to transition out of the crib.Weight limit: Check the manufacturer's information, as many toddler beds max out at about 50 pounds. That means you won't be able to sit on it with your child, much less try to snuggle together. (Another reason to go for the sturdiest design you can find.)Prices for toddler beds range from about $60 to $380, depending on the level of design, the bells and whistles, and the quality of the materials. Bed rails cost between $20 and $100, while cribs that convert to toddler beds and then full-size beds range from $150 to $800, depending on materials and style.
Kids become attached to their stuff, especially if they've had something for as long as they can remember. Your little guy might develop a fierce devotion to his toddler bed, insisting on sleeping in it even when you think it's high time to get some grown-up furniture in his room. Toddler beds use a standard crib mattress, so he won't fit in it forever. Most toddler beds do have weight limits and height restrictions, which will eventually force him into a big-boy bed. 1. Height Limits It's not comfortable to sleep with your feet hanging off the end of the mattress, as any really tall person can tell you. Toddler beds use crib mattresses, which normally measure around 52 inches long. Your kid could be well into grade school before he outgrows the bed strictly using height limitations, since most kids don't reach that height until around age 9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He's more likely to surpass the weight limit first. If he doesn't, the narrowness of the crib mattress -- around 28 inches wide -- will probably push him out of the bed -- literally.
2. Weight Limits A toddler bed was never meant to support the weight of a big kid. You might have already have discovered this if you've ever sat on the edge of your child's toddler bed. The Consumer Product Safety Commission defines toddler beds as holding up to 50 pounds. According to CDC height and weight charts, the average child doesn't reach 50 pounds until around age 7, but your kiddo might not be average, so move him before he collapses the bed in the middle of the night. 3. Age Limits By age 5, your getting-older-by-the-minute little guy may be ready to say goodbye to the toddler bed and shop for more grown-up furniture. The name "toddler bed" gives a hint about the suggested age limits for its usefulness: it's for toddlers, which means up until preschool age. The CPSC describes toddler beds as reasonably expected for use by children under age 5. If he's hesitant to move up to an adult-sized bed, keep calling his current bed a "toddler bed" in his presence. Most kids don't to want anything that seems at all babyish, so he might start to protest having to sleep in it.