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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To advocate for DD having a double bed?

248 replies

xhelper · 13/12/2022 15:40

DD is in a cot currently, but will soon be moving into her own bed

I want to give her a double bed, H thinks it's ridiculously OTT?

Now, hear me out on this... I spent ages looking at all the super pretty Little White company fairy bedding sets, and couldn't wait to do all of that

But they don't come in double size and I think she might be more comfy in a double?

Who doesn't want a double over a single bed anyway?

H thinks I'm mad but says 'you do you darling'

Would you give your toddler a double bed? AIBU?

OP posts:
PeppermintChoc · 13/12/2022 20:02

My little boy has a king and has since 2. He has a big room. I like it. Occasionally we’ll bedshare, or he gets in our bed and i take the baby in his bed for early morning snuggles and feeds.

Fleabigg · 13/12/2022 20:02

I slept in a single bed until I was 22.

DD went from cot to standard single. As others have said, floor space for playing and toy storage was the priority for her room. She’s never needed us to lie with her to sleep though.

ditherydotty · 13/12/2022 20:03

Definitely get a good quality double bed if you have the room, I made the mistake of getting single beds only to replace them a few years later with doubles, much more comfortable and practical.

Purplechicken207 · 13/12/2022 20:04

Seems very common in the US (bigger rooms) but personally I find it odd - almost like trying to make them grown up before that time, though i realise thats a weird/unreasonabke opinion. Loss of playing floorspace, plus when they first move out (especially if uni or similar) they probably won't have a double at first. And what an absolute pita if they wet the bed/vomit etc, so much more fabric to wash and dry (even regularly too of course). I chose my double bed at age 16, I cherished having that option.
Admittedly I've never had to sleep in bed with my toddler so bed space was never an issue

PeppermintChoc · 13/12/2022 20:04

Also my DS goes from a king to a single no issue.

RinklyRomaine · 13/12/2022 20:08

All mine have gone from cot to small doubles. I grew up in a double (hand me down) and loved the space, sleepovers etc. it means anyone can sleep anywhere needed, guests are easy to accommodate, there's still plenty of play space, stories, family cuddles or whatever are easily dealt with. I think it's a fine idea.

snowinthesticks · 13/12/2022 20:10

With the benefit of hindsight I wish I'd gone from cot to double beds instead of cot, single then double.
So many advantages and I can't think of any disadvantage.
If a poor sleeper, or ill a parent can hop in with the child.
Mine grew out of single beds (boys well over 6' by age 13)and doubles have space for visiting family or friends.
Now they have left home the double bed is used for when they visit with partners.

Gronkle · 13/12/2022 20:11

I'm 55, I've never had a single bed. I've had a double bed, right from coming out of a cot and had a double at uni too.

My ds is at uni now, staying in halls, he has a double bed.

Just because I've always had a double doesn't mean I've lost the ability to sleep in a single, what a silly argument.

Smiffette · 13/12/2022 20:14

I am planning to get my little when a small double and skip the single. She's 2.5 and I always sit with her to fall asleep so more comfy to lay in a bed and when she's ill etc.
She's lucky in that she's got a double bedroom so she will still have room to play

user1496146479 · 13/12/2022 20:14

My kids all went from cots to a double! All much comfier!
If you have the space, go for it!

bleakmidwinterlady · 13/12/2022 20:15

PeppermintChoc · 13/12/2022 20:02

My little boy has a king and has since 2. He has a big room. I like it. Occasionally we’ll bedshare, or he gets in our bed and i take the baby in his bed for early morning snuggles and feeds.

Was the bed quite low to the floor?

Baconand · 13/12/2022 20:16

DD is moving in to a double from her cot in the New Year. Her room is quite large and means I can share with her if we have guests so they can have my room, or she's ill. There’s plenty of double sized kids bedding available and she doesn’t lack play space.

Whatifthegrassisblue · 13/12/2022 20:17

DashboardConfessional · 13/12/2022 15:42

No, because I'd rather there was more floorspace for playing.

This

Baconand · 13/12/2022 20:18

MilkyYay · 13/12/2022 17:56

Just my opinion.

Clearly double beds were invented with the intention of two people sharing!! Lol that people can't work out that double = ×2

I have a Superking just for 5ft 3 me! Is that not allowed??!

cadburyegg · 13/12/2022 20:19

God no. I have 2 boys in bunk beds and when they both had stomach bugs earlier this term the amount of washing I had to do was horrendous, even though I have a tumble dryer. It would be even worse if they were in double beds.

PeppermintChoc · 13/12/2022 20:22

bleakmidwinterlady · 13/12/2022 20:15

Was the bed quite low to the floor?

Show quote history

Standard I’d say. I put bed guards on it but soon took them away (it wasn’t against the wall) he didn’t need them really.

It was mine and DH’s bed but only about two years old. We moved and had room for a super king, didn’t make sense to get rid of a good bed and the guest room already had a king.

Workyticket · 13/12/2022 20:22

We got ds a double when he moved from the cot. Perfect for sleepovers, guests staying etc

I still climb in with him every night to read and have a chat and he's nearly 11 now

PurpleButterflyWings · 13/12/2022 20:29

Hugasauras · 13/12/2022 18:39

People do get weirdly defensive on MN about double beds for kids as if it's some sort of slight on their own childhood or parenting. It's very odd. If you have the space then go for it. Bigger is always better when it comes to beds IMO!

As a teenager a pal of mine not only had a double but it was a double high sleeper so we could climb up it and sit up high listening to our Walkmans Grin I was so jealous as I only had a single.

No-one is 'weirdly defensive' Confused Only in your head. People are giving their views. And many people think it's weird. The OP did ask, people answered. Hmm

Ontheele · 13/12/2022 20:29

Glad your on the same page as me OP. DS has had his own double bed since he was about 3 and a half! The fancy beds and bunk beds are adorable but they are not cheap.

So glad I invested properly and I've never had to faff around buying another bed or mattress.

Def buy the double bed it will save you money in the long run. Just buy a good mattress protector!

mrs55 · 13/12/2022 20:31

Get the double next do kids bedding in double sizes and pottery barn kids do some bedding in doubles aswell not all of the range but some of the styles.

Ontheele · 13/12/2022 20:35

Purplechicken207 · 13/12/2022 20:04

Seems very common in the US (bigger rooms) but personally I find it odd - almost like trying to make them grown up before that time, though i realise thats a weird/unreasonabke opinion. Loss of playing floorspace, plus when they first move out (especially if uni or similar) they probably won't have a double at first. And what an absolute pita if they wet the bed/vomit etc, so much more fabric to wash and dry (even regularly too of course). I chose my double bed at age 16, I cherished having that option.
Admittedly I've never had to sleep in bed with my toddler so bed space was never an issue

The vomit on the bedding and having to wash it isn't really a valid point. It makes no difference because it goes in the washer you are not having to wash the bedding by hand. So if it's a single or a double your stripping doesn't make that much difference and making a bed up is a boring job... again single or double.

My DS is tall he's only nearly 8 and 5ft tall, size 6 in trainers. It's a good job I bought him a double because the single wouldn't have lasted long!

I think it boils down to space also we do have space in his room still.

Legallypinkish · 13/12/2022 20:36

If you have the space then do it. My kids have always had small doubles. They had a toy room when they were little so floor space in their rooms wasn’t an issue. Now they’re teenagers I’m glad we haven’t had yo change the beds just the mattresses .

Athenen0ctua · 13/12/2022 20:38

xhelper · 13/12/2022 15:58

Because most people like a nice double bed or bigger?

Show quote history

I prefer a cosy single bed, I've always wanted a built in cabin bed. I personally find a double is only useful for sharing and goodnight cuddles. I only got myself a double for this reason. DS 16 has only just started thinking he'd like a double (he's taller than me) but refuses to just swap (with new bedding) as he thinks my room will look wrong with a single! I'd be perfectly happy to swap as I happily slept in a single into adulthood.

Opened this thread thinking it would be about a teen.

DonnaBanana · 13/12/2022 20:40

I think it’s a bit weird but not unreasonable. It’s like when people put six year olds in bikinis or beauty pageants.. let kids be kids?

Hall84 · 13/12/2022 20:40

That's what I'm planning to do. The bed we have already is a double from my parents house. It's had a new mattress since!