Having a Baby

The question of when to transition your child from their crib to a toddler bed is a very common question among parents.  Although there is no clear cut, defined answer, many child experts will say that some where between the ages of 2 and 3 is a good starting point.  Something to keep in mind is if your child is starting to climb out of the crib, it is time to go from the crib to the bed, otherwise you run the risk of your child hurting themselves.

What kind of bed is the next question you’ll have to answer.  You obviously have several choices to choose from.

Some of the choices you have for the first bed after the crib are:

- Bunk Beds (for two kids) – This is an option if one of your kids is at least 6 years old.  Kids under the age of six shouldn’t be put in a top bunk because top bunks are simply not safe for kids under the age of 6.

- Toddler beds can be an option.  Although something to keep in mind is this is a bed that your kid will be eventually outgrowing (usually by age 5), and when that happens you may be spending money again on another bed.

- A full size or twin bed is another option.  This option costs more in the short term, but this option can save you money in the long term because a full or twin size bed is something that your child can use through out their childhood.  Something to help make a full or twin bed safer for a toddler is the use of portable bed rails.

Whatever route you choose, always buy a bed from a reputable manufacture and keep in mind that the cheapest bed isn’t necessarily the best option.  If cost is an issue, a used bed can be an option as long as you’ve done your homework and feel knowledgeable enough to pick out high quality used toddler beds.