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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to go straight to a small double for my 2 year old ?

38 replies

toddlerdanger · 21/01/2022 10:46

Hello collective wisdom of mothers out there.

My DD is two and starting to nearly be able to climb out of her cot. She has a small cot which doesn't convert into a toddler bed and you also can't just take one side down.

I'm considering getting her straight into a small, low double bed and using side rails, rather than wasting money on a toddler/child bed.

Is this silly ? Will I regret it ? Has anyone done this ? Any insights would be helpful. Thank you !

OP posts:
NannyR · 21/01/2022 10:50

The two year old I look after went straight into a normal double bed from his cot and they haven't had any issues.

Luredbyapomegranate · 21/01/2022 10:52

Fine

somehowsunshine · 21/01/2022 10:52

We went straight to small doubles and so pleased we did. Can lay with them at story time in the evening and also comfort them when poorly.

MyHusbandTheIdiot · 21/01/2022 10:53

We went straight to a double for both kids after the cot bed and no issues.

Pinkywoo · 21/01/2022 10:55

My two year old went straight from a cot to a double, it's so much easier when he's ill as I can lie next to him without hurting my back bending over a toddler bed.

Original poster
toddlerdanger · 21/01/2022 10:56

@Pinkywoo

My two year old went straight from a cot to a double, it's so much easier when he's ill as I can lie next to him without hurting my back bending over a toddler bed.
This is what I'm thinking as well. She still gets sick a lot and I have a bad back and lifting her in and out, is getting difficult.
OP posts:
Rno3gfr · 21/01/2022 10:58

I bought a toddler bed that has a little ‘house’ frame around it. Thought it would be cute to hang dinosaur fairy lights over the top. It is cute. The back pain from repeatedly putting him back in his bed at night is not cute.

I would go for a double. That’s what I’m getting him next (maybe sooner than I’d planned!). FYI Next does lovely kids bedding in double sizes.

Anewdress · 21/01/2022 10:58

My 2 year old (just under 2 at the time) went from cot to king sized bed 🤣😳
His cot was in the 'spare' room with the king sized bed. As soon as he learnt to climb out of his cot, he'd climb out and straight into the big bed. We converted the cot to a bed for safety reasons but he would still climb into the huge bed.

Original poster
toddlerdanger · 21/01/2022 11:00

Did you all get side rails so they don't fall out ? On both sides ?

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 21/01/2022 11:04

That is an excellent idea. The bed should last for years and save you having to swap from a single as she gets bigger. My boys had single beds but they grew so big I had to get small doubles by the time they were about 13.
Just make very certain she can't slip between the bed and the wall. Proper bed rails both sides are really important at this age.

Pinkywoo · 21/01/2022 11:06

It's up against the wall on one side with a rolled up duvet stuffed in the gap so he can't get his arm stuck, and he (mostly!) sleeps on that side. I also put a pillow between him and the edge, although it's a low bed and thick carpet so he wouldn't hurt himself if he did fall out.

randomsabreuse · 21/01/2022 11:07

I got the ikea twin/double which stacks as it's super low to the ground. The only disadvantage of a double is less space for play on the floor, which might just push more play into adult living areas...

storminabuttercup · 21/01/2022 11:11

I'd do it. We went from cot, to cot bed, to stupid Thomas the tank bed, to one of those with sides and a ladder. I wish we'd just bought a double to start with.

Snugglepumpkin · 21/01/2022 11:20

I tried cot to single & soon ended up going to a small double.

Small double makes a difference in how much space is left in his room to play & is more than big enough even though he's heading towards being a teen now.

Single looking back was a wasted step as all the bedding etc... had to be purchased twice as well as the bed & mattress.

spangleswereace · 21/01/2022 11:21

Do it! We got a small double for my daughter when she moved from her cot, best decision we made! Meant that we could both cuddle up for story time and easier to comfort her when she wasn't well.
We're just about to do the same with my son 😊

Original poster
toddlerdanger · 21/01/2022 11:29

Yes it does take away some floor space of course. Her room isn't massive, but I think it may be OK. She's also next to the spare room, so she could play in there when we don't have guests.

That's the other thing under consideration, do I give her the en-suite or the non en-suite.

I think she's young to have the en-suite and could go in the bathroom at night etc... so I could leave it as a guest room for now and move her when she's older.

OP posts:
maddening · 21/01/2022 11:39

Much better for when they want you to sit with them, story time, when they are ill etc. Definitely a good choice.

Mummyoflittledragon · 21/01/2022 11:44

Yanbu
Or even a double if you have the space. So much easier for bedtime reading, cuddles and if your dd needs you in the night. In a blink of an eye, she will possibly having sleepovers. They start maybe age 6/7, perhaps younger with cousins.

SmellyOldOwls · 21/01/2022 11:50

YANBU anyone with a small child knows they can stretch in ways that make a double feel small Grin lucky girl!

Mumsnut · 21/01/2022 11:53

Great for sleepovers as well. No need to set up an airbed or truckle

randomsabreuse · 21/01/2022 12:16

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/utaker-stackable-bed-pine-00360484/

We have this. Currently 1 single for each child but could assemble as double later.

MintyGreenDream · 21/01/2022 14:03

We did it and it's still going strong after 5 years.Loads of room for fidgety ds 7 and his massive soft toy collection

lizziesiddal79 · 21/01/2022 14:06

My daughter went from cot to double bed. It’s great for when her cousin stays over.

Sally872 · 21/01/2022 14:09

If you have space then no issue at all. Def wouldn't bother with toddler bed but would consider single to save space as toddler toys are often bulkier. For a decent size room (or if there is somewhere else to store toys) then small double is a great idea. Nice to lie in with them for bedtime story or if they are unwell.

EnglishMcSwedeFace · 21/01/2022 16:07

My son has always hated feeling restricted so the crib was an absolute nightmare. We gave up on it when he was about 7 or 8 months old and put him on a double futon. It was so close to the floor I wasn't worried about him falling out, I put a quilt on the floor so the couple of times he rolled out it was a soft landing. It was a sanity saver for all of us and meant that we all got a lot more sleep. When our daughter got too old for the crib we moved her onto the futon and got our son a full height double. They're 13 and 11 now and have doubles, it's made bedtime stories, nightmares, illnesses and sleepovers so much easier for everyone. My sister in law thought we were barmy at first and said we were spoiling our children but she's recently realised it was a good idea and has bought a double for her 6 year old terrible sleeper.

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