Is a Toddler Bed the same size as a Cot Bed?

[jumpyjan]

DD is sleeping in a cotbed (as a cot) at the mo but we are planning to put new baby in the cot and want to get her a new bed.

I am getting rather confused about what size bed we should get her. I cant seem to see much difference between a Cot Bed and a Toddler Bed. She is quite tall so I don't really want to buy her something the same size as her cotbed as i dont think it will last long - but a single would be too big - is there anything in between?

Also would you put a single duvet on a toddler bed?

Why not just get her a normal single? Saves buying ANOTHER bed in a few years time. DS1 is 17 months and about to go into a single and friends children went into king sized beds at a similar age as they had to double as guest beds.

I'm a fan of toddler beds.
Yes you will eventually have to replace it when she grows out of it but you will get a good few years out of it (particularly as you are having another dc).

Some advantages.
takes up much less room!
all bedding is much easier to wash - can you the whole duvet in the washing machine as is so much smaller. Great when they are ill.
much easier for dd to get into and less far to fall!
usually cheaper

disadvantages
need to replaced sooner.
bedding can be expensive and much less choice.

ds2 is about to grow out of his cot and we've decided to get him a toddler bed to match his big brothers. Our plan then is to go from these little ones to one of the ones where the bed is high up with room to play/sit underneath.

how old is she?

we got ours from Urchin. about £100 plus mattress I think.

but as has been said you can go straight to a normal single.

In my experince they are the same thing eg www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80108662

hmm DD is 2 but quite tall so not sure how long a toddler bed would last her - what age are they supposed to last until?

I do like the fact that toddler beds are lower to the ground though as seems safer.

Perhaps I could get a toddler bed but with a single duvet - would that work ok? Cot bed size duvet covers are so expensive and hard to find.

you can also get extendable beds that will grow with your lo. I think ikea does them and mothercare used to (dont know if it still does) - it does

I think they are the same thing. My DS is a tall 2.5YO (about the size of a 3YO) and he still has about half the bed so I reckon it will do him until he is about 4.

I'd say get the little bed and use normal bedding for it, I use a single quilt and normal pillow and just tuck the bottom under the mattress and tuck sides in means he is less likely to fall out.

Even if you spent £100 on one you would get your money's worth as when she grows out of it other DC will be able to go into it.

Actually on 2nd thoughts Ive just read that fully again .

If you are going to buy a toddler bed I think you'd be aswell buying a cot as they are cheaper, converting the cotbed and then buying a single bed in a few years when next DC is old enough and just sell the newer cot.