What age can you use a toddler bed guard?
The recommended age for a bed guard is from 18 months. Toddler bed guards help to keep your child secure in their bed when they transition from a cot to an open bed, stopping them from escaping easily or falling out. They are not designed for younger babies under 12 months as safe sleep guidelines advise to keep their bed clear of anything that could pose a suffocation risk.
Some children may not need one at all and may adapt very quickly after maybe one or two difficult nights, however, you can use a bed guard for as long as you and your child need it (up to five years). Bear in mind, manufacturers advise to not use the rail on a bed more than 60cm off the floor.
Do toddler bed guards fit all beds?
Toddler bed guards are suitable for most beds, including toddler beds, single beds, double and bunk beds. This also includes both slatted and divan bed frames. Before buying though, check that the bed guard is compatible with the type and size of bed you will be fitting it to.
For larger beds, you may need an extra wide or long bed guard to ensure your child gets the best protection throughout the night.
Are toddler bed guards safe?
As long as they are used for the recommended age and not for younger babies, bed guards are safe. Make sure to measure your toddler’s bed and mattress height to ensure it is the right fit for your bed. It should not cover the whole length of the bed and your toddler should be able to get in and out. Also, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it is fitted correctly and securely to the bed.
You may want to stop using the bed guard if your child regularly climbs over them to get out of the bed to prevent any injuries.
What to look for when choosing the best toddler bed guard for your child
Size – Measuring your child’s bed and mattress will help you ensure the bed guard properly fits. Most are adjustable to fit different dimensions and some are wider and longer for bigger beds.
Material – As your toddler will likely end up sleeping up next to the guard, most are made from materials like fabric and mesh. Make sure the material is breathable. You can also choose from wooden bed guards which tend to be attached to the bed like a rail and there are even inflatable options.
Quantity – Where will the bed be positioned in your toddler’s room? This will dictate how many bed guards you need. If the bed is up against a wall, then you’ll only need one for the open side, but if it’s in the middle of the room then you’ll need two for both sides.
Bed frame – Bed rails tend to attach to the bed frame or mattress. Check that the bed guard is compatible with your child’s bed. Some may not fit certain types of beds, such as divans or mattresses within a raised frame, so make sure to check this before you buy.
Portability – Some rails can be permanently fixed to the bed or you can opt for one that is portable so it can be removed and taken with you when you go away.
Safety - Check that the toddler bed guard complies with British Safety Standards: BS7972-2001+A1-2009.
What is the best toddler bed guard?
For extra coverage and peace of mind at bedtime, the Safetots Extra Wide Bed Rail comes recommended by Mumsnet users. It’s wide and long and is suitable for a range of beds. The rails can be bought in three different colours to match your bedroom’s decor and it can be folded down for getting in and out of bed easily. It comes with a handy travel bag too, for those nights when your toddler goes to Granny’s house.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real parents
The first place we go whenever we start looking for the best products is our Mumsnet forums. With more than 8 million Mumsnet users each month, we know that we’re going to get a lot of honest, impartial advice to help us find the best products on the market.
Expert guidance
To help us whittle down our list of recommendations, we research each product thoroughly to ensure it follows the latest expert advice and stands up to scrutiny. To find the best bed guards we consulted the likes of the Lullaby Trust for advice about safe sleeping.
Consumer feedback
The next step is to find out what users of the product think. This involves checking websites like Amazon and John Lewis to read consumer reviews, both positive and negative, to help us find out if the products are up to scratch.
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About the author
Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer and copywriter. At Mumsnet, she creates content providing useful parenting advice, information and top products to make life easier – as a mother of two children herself, Gemma knows how important it is to get the right advice. Gemma loves writing about subjects that will be helpful to the reader – and herself! - including recommending top products on Mumsnet that help parents in their day-to-day life, such as writing reviews for strollers, double buggies and cots. She knows how important online reviews are when it comes to making a purchase so she always makes sure to thoroughly research every product so we are recommending the best ones on the market.