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AIBU?

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Original poster

Comments about toddlers in double beds

200 replies

User135792468 · 21/01/2022 20:40

I have a 4 and 2.5 year old and the 4 year old has had a double bed bed since he came out of the cot bed so I could use it for ds2. A few weeks back, we decided that it was time to get ds2 his first proper bed and also went for a double.

The amount of comments I’ve had about how a toddler doesn’t need a double bed and a bit of an eye roll that I got them one is starting to irritate me. I don’t understand why people care? We like the doubles as we lay in bed and read books before bed and the dc like having sleepovers with each other. It seems as though people think it’s an odd way to one-up someone though.

To clarify, I wasn’t discussing it, just had friends over for a play date who then saw it and mentioned it in a bigger group of friends when we were out and it became a topic of conversation. There’s plenty of space for wardrobes and floor space to play so I don’t get the issue.

Is it that odd to have a double bed for young dc who are either pre school or primary age? What does everyone else have out of curiosity?

Yabu - yes, toddlers really don’t need a double bed

Yanbu - people need to mind their own business

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 21/01/2022 21:15

My children a bit older but their doubles are very convenient. One doubles as a guest bed. Also they often have 'sleepovers' in each others rooms.

As for bedding... we use double sheets but single duvets. They prefer them as they are lighter and don't get as tangled.

RobotValkyrie · 21/01/2022 21:15

I think it's great if you have the space.
Maybe they're jealous?

stingofthebutterfly · 21/01/2022 21:16

Yeah it's weird. I've never seen a child in a double bed, let alone a toddler. I'd rather let them have space to play in their bedroom than have it taken up by a massive bed, but then my two under 5s are currently sharing a room that's 6ft wide, so any extra space would be a luxury for them.

PattyPan · 21/01/2022 21:16

Plus, she can stay in it until she leaves home

Obviously you had other reasons to get a double but there’s no reason she wouldn’t have been not able to stay in a single until she moves out. DP (6 foot) and I were both in singles at home until we moved in together aged 23 and most university halls are single beds too.

Juancornetto · 21/01/2022 21:19

DD has had a double from moving out of her cot and DS will be moving into a double too when he's no longer in his cot. That's room for them, it's nice to cuddle in with them and I like to buy furniture with a view to it lasting forever

cherrypie66 · 21/01/2022 21:21

I don't think it's wierd but I personally think toddlers are cosier in a small bed I feel lost sleeping in a double alone so I imagine a toddler would more so It wouldn't seem right to me

Mrbob · 21/01/2022 21:21

I had a single bed till I moved out at 18 (into a single bed at uni) and I am unclear why any child needs a double. I think it’s the same as the “we need a 4WD so I can fit a toddler in it”
I can see the sense if they regularly get turfed out for visitors (in a nice way) but otherwise I think it’s one of those things that parents care about more than children…
Maybe I just didn’t live in a huge house as a child and would be way too lazy to change yet another double bed I didn’t need to when singles are so much easier

KevinTheKoala · 21/01/2022 21:22

My daughter went into a bed when she was 12 months old, a double duvet would have been too big/heavy to be safe at that point - even now she is very tiny for her age and I wouldn't feel comfortable with leaving her with a double duvet (which tend to be higher togs than singles) , but other than that I don't see the problem if there is enough space to play. Most people really don't have big enough homes for this though which is why it's not very common. Also the bedframe might last longer but the mattress and bedding will still need replacing and it is more expensive to replace a double+ mattress than a single so I'm not sure that it is any better financially :s.

INeedNewShoes · 21/01/2022 21:22

It makes sense in that you won't end up upgrading further down the line.

I wouldn't do it because changing the bedding is my most loathed household task but changing the bedding on DD's toddler bed is so easy that I'm happy to do her bed weekly.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 21/01/2022 21:23

If you have space, great. My kids are in the smallest beds possible cos that's what fits in their tiny room :-/

I have to question people saying it's environmentally friendly though- washing double bedding rather than single or junior bedding every week, plus replacing (larger) duvets and mattresses every few years, probably cancels out only buying one bed frame

Hugasauras · 21/01/2022 21:24

DD has a double! I think cot beds are the biggest swizz going. We got one originally for DD and she is absolutely massive in it, no room for her to spread out, no room for me to comfortably sit and read to her, and most importantly no room for her army of toys Grin Double is great for reading and cuddling and also one of us sleeping in with her when she's poorly.

Who cares what anyone else thinks anyway? They don't live in your house so sod 'em.

woodhill · 21/01/2022 21:24

@toomuchlaundry

Wouldn’t like to have to regularly change double bedding, but DS took quite a few years to be dry at night
Yes exactly that plus space in the rooms
CheeseMmmm · 21/01/2022 21:24

Double bed awesome. I never had one at home.

One of my friends did she it was awesome! Brilliant for sleepovers obv.

And if you have two who like to share.

I wonder if it's too do with a puritanical vibe (deep in our society due to past) and seen as spoiling.

Or maybe, and only seen this on MN, people could think it's showy (room size, cost of it compared to single).

czycoup · 21/01/2022 21:25

A toddler doesn't need a double bed but I think it makes sense. If they are unwell or had a bad dream you can get in bed with them to comfort them. I'm going to get DC one when they need an upgrade

Flickflak · 21/01/2022 21:28

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

horsesanddrywhitewine · 21/01/2022 21:30

Both of my older two are in double beds - 4.5 and almost 2. The beds were already in their rooms, it's a Georgian house with big square rooms and frankly we decided they would look ridiculous with little beds.

Like you, we like to read in bed with them and like you, people comment on it. It is a slight issue when we go away as both of them need bed guards to sleep in singles but it's manageable.

I just tell people to mind their own now, but I find it odd that they'd care.

Mammma91 · 21/01/2022 21:30

My 2.5 year old would absolutely love a double bed. He’s still in his cot now (he’s happy and settled) but debated just getting him a small double before he is 3. Plenty space to roam and be comfortable. I didn’t realise anyone would even have an opinion about it lol. You do whatever makes your children sleep safely and comfortably Smile

Spreadingtheword · 21/01/2022 21:34

YANBU.

No need to replace it when they grow.. only needs replacing if it breaks.

Plus, less chance of falling out?

Plus, if they’re unsettled, it’s easy for you to jump in with them.

Plus, who is jealous and bitter enough to eye roll at the bed size of a bleeding toddler?

Although DP did laugh at my suggestion of keeping our bed frame for our 2 year old when we move house in March; we’re getting a new bed and it was just an idea but it is a long and that’s probably just a tiny bit too luxurious 😂

I would likely get her a double bed though rather than another single.

Spreadingtheword · 21/01/2022 21:35

King* not long..

Goldbar · 21/01/2022 21:35

Mine still fits in the cot bed but they're going straight into a double/king when they outgrow it.

It seems sensible to me if you've got the space... more room for teddies, harder to fall out of and you can turf them out when you have guests.

Yes my DC doesn't need a double, but it seems a bit unreasonable to expect my parents to top and tail in a single bed.

KevinTheKoala · 21/01/2022 21:36

Also completley off topic but my daughters have bunk beds and I still manage to read in bed with both of them, it is possible to do that without a double bed.

worriedatthemoment · 21/01/2022 21:37

Mine shared but wd had a triple bunkbed so small double on the bottom as we used to have the boys room if family stayed
Now older ds18 has a 4ft small double as small room and ds16 full double as room allows
Many people don't have big enough bedrooms to have a double bed and room to play though

55mirabeau · 21/01/2022 21:38

Toddlers don’t need double beds.

But the ability for everyone to get a good nights sleep in whatever combination needed is priceless! If I had space, it’d be doubles all round.

cherryonthecakes · 21/01/2022 21:39

@PattyPan

Plus, she can stay in it until she leaves home

Obviously you had other reasons to get a double but there’s no reason she wouldn’t have been not able to stay in a single until she moves out. DP (6 foot) and I were both in singles at home until we moved in together aged 23 and most university halls are single beds too.

My experience is that most university beds are small doubles these days.
ViceLikeBlip · 21/01/2022 21:40

My 5yo moved into what used to be the spare room, so he's got a king sized now! No point getting rid of a nice king bed and buying in a new single. Also, if you have double beds then you can use the kids' room for guests if needed.

The only downside is if you got a kid who's not reliably dry at night - it's much easier to change single sheets/duvets!