What’s the earliest a baby/child can move into a big bed?

[newmum234]

With bed rails? I’m just wondering whether to hold onto the double bed that’s in my son’s room, or sell it and buy a new one in a year or two’s time (we have very little space for storage and the room won’t fit the cot and the bed). He’s 6 months old.

A double bed is quite big for a toddler (and you may actually find you prefer floor space to bed space). I personally would sell it and by a single bed when the time comes.

But most children move to a bed around 18 months to 2 years or so, so I would say you probably have another year to go.

That said, if you think there is any chance you will co-sleep (or continue to co-sleep) in the future, I would keep it. Sleep is a bit hit and miss until closer to school age. So you may find there are periods when it's a godsend to have a bed you can sleep in together.

That's helpful, thanks. We don't do co-sleeping, so sounds like we should sell it.

we moved dc to toddler beds from 18 months-ish. they became too mobile that age and the cot too dangerous.
toddler beds because they are quite low, plus we wanted dc to have the foor space to play.

I have 3 children and my second and third both went into a single bed with a bed rail at 9 months old. Mostly because we were still breastfeeding and it was easier for me to climb into bed with them in the night when they woke, than have them in bed with me and dh.

Id get rid of the double bed.

I bought a cot bed. I think it'll do until pre-school sort of age probably.

Early pre-school mind you - hes a big guy!

DS is 19 months and I can’t see him moving out of his cot any time soon. I’ll be keeping him in there as long as possible. I’d sell the bed and keep the floor space.

Okay, I think I will go for a cot and then move him into a single bed when the time comes. I'm choosing between these two - any thoughts?

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-eric-cot-white/p4169233

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/sniglar-cot-beech-30248537/

He's in a bedside crib at the moment but it's only meant to be for 0-6 months...

Around 18 months to 2 years op depending on the child and if they are climbing out cot.

Kept my child in a cot bed from 4months- 3yrs old, now she’s in a single bed. Toddler beds everyone told me were a waste of money

This one also looks good

www.argos.co.uk/product/2664468

I bought a cotbed with the side guard rather than a cot from when mine were babies. It is approximately the same length as a double bed width and lasted for years.

It was very low to the floor compared to the single bed they moved into years later. I kept it a cot until Ds2 was about 2 then changed it to the bed guard so he could use the toilet at night. He stayed in that until he was about 3 or 4 and I redecorated his room.

Our son was in a toddler bed at 17 months. Just because we knew he'd prefer it

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/smagoera-cot-white-20461236/

This one looks good

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/gulliver-cot-white-10248519/

Meant to send the gulliver op not the other one but both nice

We bought the cotbed version with drawers under from IKEA for our also 6 month old.

It seems sturdy and well built, and we have been using as a cot the last 2 months ( he outgrow the next to me quickly). The side comes off when we decide to make a toddler bed so I would say it would last a while as it’s 140cm long. Most friends seem to take the cot side off somewhere between 18-24 months. So a removable side might be worth looking at for longevity. The drawers underneath are handy as well

Bed rails are only safe from 18 months old. We moved DD1 into her own 3/4 double bed about 20/22 months - I can’t remember exactly. A large bed is great for snuggling and reading book together and when they are ill and you need to stay with them.

If you are going to continue cosleeping then you may want a spare double bed or either adult to get some good quality sleep or for some adult time together

If I was doing it again I’d do that Montessori thing and have a floor level single. Cheap, practical and if you google Montessori bedroom you will get loads of ideas on how layout/furnishings can foster independence.