When to take bed guard away?

[Scrumymum]

Hello, I am just wondering if you used a bed guard, if you could tell me when you took it away? Our DS is 4.5, about to start school and DH is in overdrive about getting him out of "toddler" behaviour. He is also trying to get him out of nighttime pull-ups, but clearly DS is nowhere near on that one. So, we took the bed guard down two weeks ago, and he's fallen out of bed almost every night (he is in a regular single bed, so quite a way to fall). We have compromised by putting a load of pillows and cushions on the floor for him to fall on. I know he's got to learn but I think it might be too soon, DH doesn't think so. All I know is that I am knackered from waking up so much in the night to check on him... Any advice anyone?? xx
P.s sorry if this has been answered before, I searched for previous threads but they've been deleted....

We never had one, DD fell out of bed a few times, normally climbed back in still mostly asleep - i.e. we'd hear the bump, and by the time we'd made it up to see she was back in.

Why do you need to check on him? Presumably you hear when he falls out, and go to him then, otherwise you're fine, indeed with the pillows and cushions it won't matter if he just went back to sleep on the floor.

What happens when he falls out of bed? Does he wake up, start crying...?

DS is nearly 4 and still has a bedguard; he is a very active sleeper, will end up upside down, sideways, all sorts. And that's in a double bed.

We never had one. Both moved into bed aged around 2. Put extra duvet on floor for first couple of weeks. Fell out of bed a couple of times each. Found one of them on floor in the morning fast asleep. Didn't do them any harm. Agree with your DH that it's right thing to do. Try not to worry and he will soon get the hang of it.

Another suggestion is to use a sheet under the duvet (assuming he has a duvet) and tuck it in well on the side he could fall from?

think i am with you. why not use a bed guard? no harm using one, as for nighttime dryness, i read only try going without once you have had 5/7 consecutive days waking with a dry nappy apparently being dry at night isn't something that can easily be taught, just comes with age!!

DS never had one on; he's been in a single bed since 4yo. Didn't really see the point, he had to learn how not to fall out a some point. Even I still fall out of bed! We used to "tuck" him in like my parents did to me; really did stop him falling out and fidgiting too much. He's now 6yo and has been in a mid-sleeper for about a year. I'd guess he's fallen out less than 15 times since being in a single.

Although he is a deep sleeper not even a brass band in his room would wake him!

I read on another thread recently that being aware of their body position etc is something that just comes with age, not something they can consciously learn. So sorry I can't find the thread now. With that in mind I would keep the bed guard on. Or use a duvet tucked in sideways across him. Or a swimming noodle/woggle under the sheet

We took it away when DD asked us to. She was just under 3.5yo. I don't believe In the school of them learning after a few falls. Fact is we tried when she came out of the cot and she kept falling out and crying. We gave up and bought a bed rail. (She asked to sleep in big girl's bed). I think basically what clare say is right.

She is still falling out of bed now. However the difference is she will climb back in herself.

We never used a bed rail because the bed is pushed right up against the wall. DS is 4.5 years old and we still push his bedroom chair up against his open side of the bed to act as a bed rail.

I wont stop doing that until he no longer wriggles right up against the chair and obviously would fall out if it were not there stopping him.

I'd ignore your DH on this one because your instinct is right on this one.

I think bed guards depend on the child in question and what their sleeping habits are like. And ultimately how comfortable you feel.

I'm more likely to use a bed with DD1 to begin with because even though she's a deep sleeper she has night terrors and a new bed could trigger one, whereas DS is perfectly fine without one.

I agree with that; my first DC was a terrible wriggler and will probably need a bed guard until he leaves school!

Whereas my second DC falls asleep in one position right in the middle of the bed and wakes like that 12 hours later.

It depends on the child, I would think.

And what's so awful about using a bed guard for a 4yo if he needs it? And nighttime pull-ups? He actually might not have nighttime bladder control yet. Some children don't until they're 7 or so, right?

(FWIW, my own DM remembers wetting the bed until she was 8yo and wishes there had been more understanding back then. She was labelled 'lazy', 'naughty', 'dirty').

Anyway, I digress. Just use both for a little while longer until he's ready - and you will know.

not personal experience as DS is in a toddler bed with built in rails but my nephew moved around loads at night and kept his guard till age 9. What's the point of taking it away when it's clearly still needed.
I think your DH is being a bit of an idiot about it.

DS1 was in a single bed at about 18 months and with a bed guard until 2 maybe. But he rarely fell out. If your DS falls out all the time I would probably just keep the bed guard.

I've just swapped our dd's bed guard for a foam one that goes under the sheet. It's so much easier to get around than the guard... And feels like a step towards not having anything.

We've only had it a short while so I'm not sure how good it will be. Does get great reviews on Amazon!!

We put DS1 into a "normal" bed this time last year, just before he turned 4. (Prior to that he was in a toddler/cotbed which had rails) He's never had a bed guard on his normal bed. He's fallen out three maybe four times and each time has never remembered doing it.

I would just go for it. If you're very worried, pop some pillows on the floor - just in case.

Thank you all very much for your suggestions and comments. I found DS on hanging out of bed at midnight last night... I'm going to speak to DH about it and maybe find another solution... i.e put the bloody bed guard back on!! Thanks all. Xx

My Ds was in midi sleeper from toddler bed so had high sides and never fell out. Last year t 6 he had a new bed. He fell out of it numerous times. Usually early night.

I googled it and it seemed to say it was something learnt. My DS has been in his bed about 8 months and rarely fallen out. He fell out when he was sleeping in caravan in school holidays but got up and back into bed.