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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a double bed for a three year old?

30 replies

ShiverMeLogs · 30/07/2025 19:26

DD (just turned three) has never slept through the night. She used to be on a double floor bed (ie mattress on floor) which we got rid of a few months ago and bought her a lovely toddler bed. Trouble is, she still wakes in the night and needs someone to come in and stay with her, so we're making do with an inflatable mattress on her floor which is incredibly uncomfortable.

DS has the same size room as her, and we got him a double, which is handy for guests (he then goes in DD room). But the rooms are small, so that means most of it is taken up by the bed and there's almost no floor space for playing etc. edited to say that we do have a playroom downstairs so lots of space for playing outside of their rooms.

Because of the room size, I was reluctant to get a double but I also don't want to sleep uncomfortably. I would find it very hard to squeeze into a single with her.

WWYD? AIBU to get a double bed for a three year old?

OP posts:
cryinglaughing · 30/07/2025 19:27

If you have the room, do it.

Theuntamed · 30/07/2025 19:28

I did!

Katemax82 · 30/07/2025 19:29

My daughter had a double bed aged 4

TobiasForgesContactLense · 30/07/2025 19:29

My DS has a small double (that was originally our guest bed) so a 4 foot one rather than the standard 4 ft 6 one. I am glad we kept it because I end up in with him 50% of the time.

user1476613140 · 30/07/2025 19:29

I did this with my eldest years ago. Definitely go for it.

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/07/2025 19:30

Maybe a small double, 4ft?

Flamingoknees · 30/07/2025 19:30

I can't see a problem. Why not?

littlesnatchabook · 30/07/2025 19:31

Single bed with an easy to pull out trundle?

Mosaic123 · 30/07/2025 19:31

Get a trundle bed so a single with another one underneath. You can slide it out when you need it. We had one with fold out legs so it came up to the same height as the other one. But you can sleep on it at the lower level too

Rockhopper81 · 30/07/2025 19:32

Do what you need to so you both get decent sleep - I’m about to transition my 9 month old into their own room, and if they don’t take to the cot (which I suspect they won’t, but am prepared to be surprised), my intention is to get a double mattress for a floor bed, as they still need me during the night. If that’s the case, I’ll probably just get a frame for it when they’re older - it will fill a lot of the room (luckily some built in storage for clothes and toy storage), but like you we have a playroom downstairs, so it will just be for sleeping.

Basically - go for it!

VenusClapTrap · 30/07/2025 19:32

I wouldn’t. They need space in their room to play, do crafting, whatever. Once they hit the tween years they tend to shut themselves away in their room rather than sit in a playroom.

Filling a small child’s bedroom with a double bed is wasted space.

Breathmiller · 30/07/2025 19:33

Yes, we did this when we transferred from extended co-sleeping. Then, it was musical beds for a while and everyone slept. Which has always been my main concern. If space is an issue how about one of these single beds with one underneath?

DollyMixers · 30/07/2025 19:33

We’ve just done the same with our two year old for similar reasons. Wanted to transition from his cot bed to a proper bed, but he ended up cosleeping a lot of the time in our bed anyway. We needed a new bed so we gave him our double and he actually sleeps so well in it without needing us (but there is space for me or dh to get in with him if he needs it)
it was the perfect solution for us!

DeedlessIndeed · 30/07/2025 19:39

Baby is 1 and will have a King size bed for when she is out of the cot. Her room has plenty of space for a large enough play area and toys as well storage, desk etc so I thought why not?

If it makes sense in your setup, I would go for it.

EveningSpread · 30/07/2025 19:40

I just bought a small double for my DD’s room. She’s 9 months, and this is going to be the easiest way to transition her into her room. It also means we essentially have a spare bed in case of illness etc. (We have a small 2 bed terrace so this was a big decision as we try to use space wisely, and utilise every inch!)

It takes up most of the floor space, but there’s still a bit of floor and she has drawers, bookshelves, desk to sit at etc (in future obviously!). I’m not too worried about space to play yet as she loves playing on the mattress. If we need to change it to a single for her in future we will.

Pickingmyselfup · 30/07/2025 19:48

Depending on how much room was left then I would. If there was enough room for clothes storage, a bookcase and a small desk then I would.

My two are 8 and 10 and when they were smaller everything ended up downstairs and they didn't spend a lot of time in their rooms. Now they are in their rooms to watch TV or sit at the desk drawing or just get some peace so a double would work if we could fit one in. I'm already wondering how to rejig the smallest room around so that we can fit in a small double for the future.

Mewling · 30/07/2025 19:50

My DC had a double from about 3 years old. They are quite tall for their age and we have the room. It’s perfect for us, I can lie on it with them now and do bedtime stories or just chill for an hour before bed.

KarmaKameelion · 30/07/2025 19:55

We have a double bed that my dc started sleeping in when they were 3. It wasn’t intentional but we ended up with a spare double and as opposed to spending money on a toddler bed just put the double in their room. Actually worked out great as when they have a bad night I can just sleep in there. Only downside is when they were in a single on holiday managed to fall out twice the first night 😂

BadKarma3467 · 30/07/2025 20:01

We've always had small doubles for our children! Definitely worth it and they'll grow with them too so last longer

MrsCarson · 30/07/2025 20:02

We did. Ds 2 went straight from a Cot to a double bed. I used it when he was tiny to sleep in his room for night feeds, then he moved into it.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 30/07/2025 20:02

Yes, a small double, they're a must in this situation.
Both of my children went into small doubles, it was easy to block them in too and they can a do a full circle throughout the night without hitting safety bars.

UnreadyEthel · 30/07/2025 20:07

Mine both had double beds before they turned two. They only have space for a bed and a chest of drawers in their rooms, but I’d rather they played downstairs where I can see them anyway.

We already had the beds, so it was an easy decision for us, but I would definitely recommend it as the way to go. If one/both of them sneak into our bed in the night then I can comfortably go and sleep in their rooms, or if they’re not feeling well one of us can go in with them.

Kpo58 · 30/07/2025 20:09

It seems insane to me getting double beds for very young children. When I was young, only adults had double beds.

Original poster
ShiverMeLogs · 30/07/2025 20:35

Lots of positive vibes then!

Is it easy to get bedding for a small double? I had thought about it, but wasn't sure if it was hard to get hold of?

OP posts:
FullOfMomsense · 30/07/2025 20:45

ShiverMeLogs · 30/07/2025 20:35

Lots of positive vibes then!

Is it easy to get bedding for a small double? I had thought about it, but wasn't sure if it was hard to get hold of?

Bottom sheets are easy to find, get a double duvet so it fits over the bed and easier to find bedding.

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