The Best Toddler Beds

Having your little one “promoted” from a crib to a toddler bed is a really big deal. In fact, there are a lot of specialist recommendations on how to make this transition easier. Buying a toddler bed isn’t just a matter of fit and style, it’s also a matter of safety. Just like cribs, toddler beds need to follow certain regulations, like the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toddler Beds that was approved back in 1997.

Because toddler beds need to follow certain standards, today we’re going to talk about what makes a good toddler bed and what are some of the best toddler beds that you can purchase online right now.

Best Toddler Beds

What Is A Toddler Bed?

A toddler bed is just a small version of a regular twin bed explicitly designed for small children. It’s smaller in size and closer to the ground than the standard bed, to help kids transition smoothly from a crib to a toddler bred.

The reduced distance between the bed and the ground prevents kids from injuries, in the case when they fall from the bed. Better yet, some toddler beds come with bed fences that can be fitted to prevent falls.

Before you go into your research about whether your child is big enough to transition from a crib to a toddler bed, you should be able to distinguish between the two.

Difference Between A Crib And A Toddler Bed

Cribs and toddler beds are mostly the same, but the only difference lies in the fact that a crib is enclosed and does not have any additional blankets or pillows, whereas a toddler bed is without any bed fence like a mini-bed.

Another difference is that a crib has a firm mattress made particularly for a baby, so it could get uncomfortable for toddlers who need softer mattresses to allow their bodies to relax completely. As far as the size and dimensions are concerned, cribs and toddler beds are more or less the same.

When Is The Right Time To Transition From A Crib To A Toddler Bed?

Most toddlers are ready to transition from a crib to a toddler bed, anywhere from 1-4 years of age. However, it is different for every child, making it a unique experience for every parent. Therefore, we have compiled a few considerations that could help you figure out if your child needs to make this transition From a crib to their toddler bed:

– Potty Training

If you are potty training, the chances are that your child has begun to realize the need to go to the restroom. This means out the crib and onto their own bed so they can go to the washroom quickly. A toddler bed allows them to easily get out of the bed and access the restroom in the middle of the night.

– Height Of Your Child

Falling out of cribs for a child that no longer requires a crib can be dangerous and injurious to your child. One common way of noticing when your child needs a transition from a crib to a toddler bed is to see the height of your toddler. If the chest is above the crib railing when standing, it’s an indication that you should help your child make the switch.

Additionally, even if your child’s chest isn’t above the crib railing, but they can put a leg over the fence, it means they’re ready to escape the confinement of their crib and enjoy their little toddler bed.

– Another Baby On The Way

Another reason why it’s time to move your toddler to their own bed is if you’re planning to have another baby. If that’s the case, you might need the crib for your newborn and so a transition for your toddler from a crib to the toddler bed becomes imminent. When switching to a toddler bed, it is advisable to keep the rest of the room’s environment as familiar as possible so it is easy for your baby to make this transition. Moreover, it’s a good idea to keep the toddler bed in the same room and position as the crib, and as close to the parents as possible.

Choosing a Toddler Bed

There is a lot of pressure in choosing a toddler bed because you want to make sure that your child is safe and comfortable. As parents are becoming more and more concerned about the safety of their children, here are some of the most important aspects that require your full attention when you’re looking to buy a bed for your toddler.

— Materials, Construction and Durability

Needless to say, the materials that make up a toddler bed will determine the quality and safety of the product. Of course, some materials are better than others, but you can expect to find toddler beds that are made from just about anything. In general, toddler beds can be made from everything from wood and metal to plastic, with some of them having fabrics attached.

Parents that are looking to invest in a durable bed should redirect their attention mostly to products made from metal and wood. The latter is usually the more expensive choice, but it’s also the most durable one. Some of the best toddler beds are those made from wood. Metal is also a common choice, but perhaps not as elegant as wood. The major benefit of metal beds is that they are typically easier to assemble.

Plastic beds do have a certain degree of popularity as well because they are easier to clean and cheaper compared to beds made from other materials. Parents that are looking to save money can opt for beds made from pressboard or particleboard, but keep in mind that this is also the least durable material of them all.

It’s important to note that durability is one of the top two features of interest in a toddler bed because you do not want it to collapse under the weight of your child. You will also need to consider the fact that toddlers can be pretty restless, so having your child jumping in bed will be a common occurrence for most parents. Make sure that you check the weight recommendations for a bed before you buy it, as every good manufacturer should be transparent about how much total weight a toddler bed can support.

Remember that children tend to grow incredibly fast, so it’s just a matter of time before the little one outgrows their bed. Because of that, you might want to consider investing in a metal or wooden bed that converts to a full-sized bed.

— Safety Considerations

Along with sturdiness that helps keep the child safe, there are other safety considerations that a parent must take into account when shopping for a bed for their youngling. Every good toddler bed has to meet the minimum standards specified by the U.S. CPSC and ASTM international. But what some parents don’t know is that aside from buying a bed that meets or exceeds the aforementioned standards, there are a few extra tricks that can ensure the creation of a safer sleeping environment for the toddler.

First of all, look for beds that are made with non-toxic materials. Buying a bed constructed from sketchy plastics that have been treated with all sorts of chemicals is a no-go. You have to look for products that have the right certifications. For instance, a bed that carries the GREENGUARD Gold Certified label means that it’s made without the use of any harmful substances.

You also want to avoid beds that contain latex, BPA, lead, or phthalates. It’s not just a matter of inhaling toxins, you also need to keep in mind that children tend to put their mouth on everything, and we do mean EVERYTHING (including the bed).

Another safety measure that you want to consider is the use of guardrails. Aside from giving children a sense of safety, guardrails will actually prevent the little one from falling out of bed. Make sure that there are no nooks and crevices where the toddler could stick their fingers and get hurt.

Other Important Considerations

Now that we got safety and sturdiness out of the way, it’s time to look into other important characteristics of a toddler bed, such as:

— Price

We completely understand the fact that some parents are on a limited budget because once you have a child, there are so many expenses that you didn’t even foresee. Even so, we think that the safety of the child isn’t something worth gambling, so picking the least expensive toddler bed that offers safety and stability is simply not right. The price of this product will be influenced by factors such as materials used or if the bed is convertible or not.

— Adjustability

There are plenty of toddler beds on the market with adjustable features and you might want to look into those too. For instance, some toddler beds will allow you to adjust the height of the crib mattress, which is an important feature because once your child grows and is able to stand up in the bed, you don’t want them to climb over the rails and fall. Other beds are convertible, meaning that you can switch from a toddler-size to a full-size bed by making some adjustments.

— Return Policy and Warranty

As with every other product you buy, you need to make sure that the toddler bed you want to spend money on will give you the chance to return it under certain conditions.

Bottom Line

Finding a toddler bed that meets your requirements as a parent shouldn’t be that complicated since the market has quite a lot to offer in this specific niche. Keep in mind that you want the bed to be made from non-toxic and sturdy materials. Make sure that you also look into the maximum supported weight of a product before buying it.

Other than that, you can be more flexible with other features that may or may not interest you, like adjustable mattress height or different types of styles and designs.