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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy my 3 year old a double bed

123 replies

Mikamee · 08/04/2021 09:24

We’re moving DS to a bigger room in the house and I was wondering if I would be unreasonable to buy him a double bed. My reasoning is that if he needs me in the middle of the night it would be easier for me to slip in and out of his big bed rather than bring him into mine and disturb DP, the room can fit a double comfortably and he’s going to want one when he’s older anyway. DP isn’t sold on the idea.

OP posts:
MotherPiglet · 08/04/2021 09:48

My 2yo has a double. Best thing we did, I'm pregnant and if he wakes in the night atleast I can be comfy sleeping with him.

oblada · 08/04/2021 09:52

The associated bedding cost and washing would stop me personally but otherwise why not.
Personally I've never had any issue sharing a single bed with any of my children so sickness etc wouldn't be a worry. Another concern would be whether getting used to massive beds would make things tricky on holidays/when visiting family. If not and the cost issue doesn't worry you then crack on. And of course assuming you have plenty of space.
I can't imagine my kids will have a double bed at home myself and I didn't get a double bed at home either but to each their own

Thisgirlcando · 08/04/2021 09:56

I would do it because it would be handy for sleepovers when he’s older and extra guests!

Hallyup5 · 08/04/2021 10:02

Double beds cost more and aren't necessary so, personally, no, I wouldn't.

Dddccc · 08/04/2021 10:02

A 3 yeah old does not need a double bed for any reason

unclubbable · 08/04/2021 10:03

you dont have to use a double duvet on a double bed though, a single or even toddler size one is fine and easier to change/wash. You can always use a bedspread if you prefer to cover it. A double fitted sheet is very little extra hassle.

TastefulLiving · 08/04/2021 10:05

@Dddccc

A 3 yeah old does not need a double bed for any reason
well for us it was convenient and cheaper than dumping existing beds and buying singles.

So 2 reasons right there.

MsScoot · 08/04/2021 10:08

We’re planning to buy our 5 year old a double. He’s in with us just now (do slept since 6 months). He has a separate playroom so bedroom just for sleeping. Useful for sleepovers and suchlike

fizbosshoes · 08/04/2021 10:14

I had a single bed til I left home and moved into a house share where there was also a single bed. Visiting friends houses as a kid, everyone had a single bed or bunk beds.
I was quite surprised when most of DDs friends seem to have doubles and everyone on MN.
In fact even a double bed isnt big enough for most of MN.
I've resisted because I'm too lazy to launder and iron multiple sets of double bedding!!Blush

CaptainMerica · 08/04/2021 10:18

Both mine went straight into doubles from their cots. My eldest was a terrible sleeper, so it made life so much easier when he woke in the night.

They have big rooms, so lots of floor space still, and space for other furniture.

The other benefit is that I have converted the spare room to a home office. If we have visitors to stay then the kids can share a bed, and it leaves a double free.

We do have a bedwetting issue, but it's not really any worse in a double. We tend to just strip the bed, DC goes into my bed with DH, and I slip in with DC2 when that happens and we deal with it in the morning.

BluebellsGreenbells · 08/04/2021 10:20

What do you mean IRON bedding?

cookiecreampie · 08/04/2021 10:20

My 2 girls share a king size because they would always end up in the same bed together when they had singles. It takes up a lot of floor space, but that's the only issue really. I'm not sure if I'd buy a double for one child but if you've got the space and it works better for you, why not?

Flappityflippers1 · 08/04/2021 10:21

My DS got a double age 2 - that was what got him sleeping through the night!

It does take up his floor space (small 2 bed house) but he has a playroom downstairs - we only really use bedroom for sleeping

daisypond · 08/04/2021 10:22

If you’ve got the space, it’s fine. My DC stayed in single bunk beds until they left home. And university accommodation is usually single beds too.

DeepfriedPizza · 08/04/2021 10:23

We got our DD a double bed at 3. We’d just moved house and she needed a new bed anyway. She wasn’t great at falling asleep without someone there so we would lie beside her until she fell asleep and we could sneak out easily.

Dddccc · 08/04/2021 10:26

@tastefulliving you already had the beds the op is on about buying a bed so yours is not a reason at all however if op already has a double bed no point binning to buy a single as that is a waste of money and impact to the environment

Greenrubber · 08/04/2021 10:27

Mine has a double bed always has as soon as she was out of our room at about the 6months mark
I breastfed her in the night so it was also for my benifit sometime I would stay in her room if my husband was snoring

NoParticularPattern · 08/04/2021 10:28

Mine all sleep in big beds. I say sleep, they are allergic to it I think! But having proper sized beds at least means that when they wake up whoever goes in with them can have a half decent sleep themselves. Unlike if they had singles or cots.

Smartiesandhugs · 08/04/2021 10:33

We had a double in what we will eventually turn into DDs bedroom but we decided to get rid and turn it into a playroom instead with a sofa bed. She is still in a cot but she will have a single bed in her bedroom and then all her toys will go in the playroom and have loads of space for playing in there. I was keen to keep a double bed for her but I think she will actually enjoy the space to play more than a double. We do have another spare room with a king size bed in it though if I ever needed to sleep with her when she’s ill.

MinnieMountain · 08/04/2021 10:33

DS went from his cot to a double bed as that was our spare bed before we had him.

It makes life easier if he needs a cuddle. DH prefers to just hop in with him if he wakes up at night.

Also lovely for reading to him.

fizbosshoes · 08/04/2021 10:34

We do have a bedwetting issue, but it's not really any worse in a double. We tend to just strip the bed, DC goes into my bed with DH, and I slip in with DC2 when that happens and we deal with it in the morning.

My 2 were both late to be dry at night.often I would put all the bedding including duvet in the washing machine next day. I'm not sure the winter double duvet even fits in the machine!

MrsMoastyToasty · 08/04/2021 10:35

I wouldn't. Kids trash beds by using them as trampolines.
We had a single with a pull out guest bed underneath.

RhubarbFairy · 08/04/2021 10:36

Mine have singles (cabin beds) but both could fit a double in their rooms. I'd consider it when they outgrow the cabin beds.

My friends DD has a double as that's what was already in the 'spare' room when she moved out of her cot in the little room. It works for them. Her DD is unaffected by needing to sleep in a single on holiday or at the grandparents.

My DC loved it when we stayed in a hotel a couple of years ago and they got a double each. And actually one of them ended up being poorly in the night so it was much more comfortable for me to jump in with them.

The other factor to consider is mattress cost. We have an Emma and the DC both have Eve's. DH suggested us getting a new sleigh bed when we redecorate our room and I agreed but said we'd need a King as he's very tall and we've broken every double with a footboard we've had by him kicking it through the night (we have a double divan now and he's happy to hang off the end). His response was 'bugger that, I spent £600 on that mattress, I'm not replacing it'.

PosyBoo · 08/04/2021 10:43

We got our then 18 month old a kingsize bed. She’s always been an awful sleeper and I couldn’t cope with sleeping on the floor next to her any longer. We got a few comments from family but it honestly made such a huge difference to both our sleep that I didn’t care! She’s now 7 and had her bedroom decorated for Christmas and asked for a single bed so her kingsize has moved into spare room till she wants it back again when she’s a bit older.
I can recommend dunelm for their quilted, waterproof mattress protector. We tried a few as there wasn’t a great selection of waterproof ones for kingsize beds and found the dunelm ones the best. I also always had a spare duvet and pillows in covers in the cupboard so I really only had to change the bottom sheet if she was unwell or had an accident in the middle of the night.

NemoRocksMyWorld · 08/04/2021 10:45

My elder two had double beds almost from moving from a cot. They have huge victorian rooms, so loads of play space. Perfect for when they were ill or had nightmares as we could just get in with them. They also loved getting into each others beds.

My younger two have single beds because they have smaller rooms and so it would affect their play space. When sick we move their mattresses into our room now.... I'm done sleeping on floors /cramping into tiny beds. If the little two have nightmares.... I send them into the doubles of the big two (another double bed pro!)

Also great for guests as we don't have a guest room!

I think it works really well, ss long as it didn't impact on play space

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