Skip to main content Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard While this bed guard may have the looks it doesn't have the robustness of a metal frame Attractive light-coloured pine, lightweight frame, not too expensive for a wooden option, folds away when not in use Not easy to assemble, doesn't feel sturdy, not portable (it's light but you have to dissemble it to carry it away) Compare deals from top retailers Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard is a good looking option that does the job, but it’s not easy to assemble and may not feel quite as sturdy as metal framed alternatives. The transition from an enclosed cot to an open bed can be a worry. When I was child my mum pushed my bed against the wall and put pillows on the floor by the open side, which I tried with my daughter Michela. But hearing bumps in the night through the monitor, accompanied by cries if she was startled out of sleep was upsetting. What if she bounced off the cushions and hit her head on the floor or worse still against the skirting board?
I was eager to see if a bed guard or rail will provide us with peace of mind and uninterrupted sleep. The Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard is suitable from 18 months to 5 years and for mattresses 54cm to 92cm wide and 8cm to 20cm thick on most beds, except upper bunk beds. It fits most Mothercare cotbeds, except Bantham, Teddy's Wash Day, Oakhampton and Hunton. It's a stalwart of the Mothercare range, and has been on the market for a significant time. It's designed to fold down when it’s not in use to make it easy to lift your child in and out of bed and to change the bed. The Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard is adjustable. Its wooden legs rest under the mattress, while the curved blue plastic ends stick out to ensure the guard doesn’t slip off the bed. The frame is lightweight and looks good when in place, while the fold-down position makes lifting Michela out of her bed and changing the bed linen easier. The locking mechanism is truly child resistant, as claimed in the instruction manual.
The Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard complies with the standard BS7972:2001, which relates to safety requirements for children’s bed guards for domestic use. What to watch for The Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard isn’t that easy to assemble. I borrowed my partner’s set of screwdrivers and put in four screws to attach the legs in an area without pre-drilled holes, which took me 15 minutes to do, turned the page of the instruction manual and realised that the previous illustration hasn’t alerted me on how to position the legs so I had screwed them incorrectly. I called my partner to undo it and re-assemble the legs as I had developed a blister on my palm! I finished off the assembly, which was easier as there were pre-drilled holes and big screws for the remaining bits. I don’t understand why not all the screws were suitable for the Allen key that was provided. When fitting the guard, you need to leave a gap of 25cm (10in) between the headboard and the guard to avoid risk of strangulation.
This is something recommended by most bed guard manufacturers. The Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard looks attractive when fitted and does the job, but my partner thinks that it’s not as sturdy as a metal framed equivalent. He also feels that the legs aren’t thick enough to provide stability for the chunky rail on display and has complained that the locking mechanism is fiddly to operate. Some mums who tried the Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard agree with my partner that it feels less sturdy than a metal framed one. Others say that it keeps their toddler from falling out of the bed but the frame moves around and rattles if used with a thin mattress, so perhaps it works better with a thick and heavy one. Who is the Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard best for? Parents after an attractive wooden bed guard that doesn't cost the earth. The Mothercare pine fold-away bed guard is a good looking wooden option. It’s not too expensive, but doesn't feel as sturdy as a metal framed equivalent.
It also isn’t simple to assemble. How to Use and Choose a Toddler Bed Rail A toddler bed rail protects your baby or older falling out of bed. A good one effectively helps your toddler transition from crib to bed in a safe and no-fuss way. You can also use a safety bed rail or bumper arrangement to set up a secure co-sleeping arrangement at any age. When choosing which one to get, as with any product, your child's is the main concern. a rule of thumb: the smaller your baby, the stricter the safety precautions you will need to think of when choosing and installing the bed rail. The main risk will be for a young baby to get stuck between the safety rail and the mattress, which can be fatal for a little one. any later age you need your child in bed safely both to prevent injuries and to avoid unnecessary awakenings. Which type of safety bed rail is That depends on what you will use it for: As a toddler bed rail to transition from crib to bed
As a family bed bumper to keep your baby from falling off Let's see how to make your best choice for either use. Choosing a toddler bed rail to transition from crib to bed her familiar protective crib to a big bed is an important step for yourA toddler bed rail helps with this transition in 2 ways: It protects your child from falling out of bed, which avoids getting hurt and traumatized about sleeping in the big bed It creates a more cozy, sleep environment, which effectively improves sleep (often under-rated, but it is proven that a pleasant place to sleep truly helps!) When selecting, I recommend you check each of these requirements: Pay attention to how the rail is attached toA large part of the material must slip under the mattress to prevent it from crashing down. Even better: have a sturdy attachment to avoid any gap. This is especially important for small rail is the Safety 1st Secure Toddler Bed Rail (pictured at the top of this page).
What I also appreciate is when, once installed, you can fold the standing-up part down without needing to un-install the whole thing. That is very convenient at bedtime, for example when you are sitting on the bed together to read. Or to change the sheets ... Roller Bolster Bumpered Twin Bed Sheet Some, but not many, have an extra pocket on the outside. put in a small toy or book. A nice plus, but it's not an essential feature. To be safe when using a bed rail, you would need to place the bed against at wall. side is then protected by the rail itself as in the picture to the No wall to place the bed against? No worries, there are affordable double bumper arrangements as in the picture to the left. a double rail, like Double Sided Bed Rail (picture right above). and how to transition from crib to bed for more about helping your toddler move to his big bed ... Choosing a safety bed rail for co-sleeping