Buying a bed for a toddler - is it rocket science?

[Pruni]

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Pruni
We just bought DD1 a normal, single bed and put rails on it.

It's lower down than a cot, and she can use it for far longer.

We went for the best quality bed we could get for her so hopefully it will last - bought her a lovely one in the Debenham's sale.

She's been fine in it.

Oh, we bought one w/two drawers underneath, to store her bed linens in.

We've got this one from Ikea - you can buy a side to put on it (or 2, I guess if it's not against the wall). I like the fact that when they're 'folded up' the head and foot of the bed are padded, it somehow felt cosier. Will probably not extend it at all (she's 6.8 and still has both ends 'up') but pass on to DS.

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The only gripe I have about IKEA beds is that some standard linens from other places don't fit them.

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dont see the point in extendable beds

just buy a single bed, and a bedguard if you wish

and i agree about ikea - normal sheets etc dont fit, you have to buy ikea mattresses and linen to fit the frame

DD certainly hasn't had any problems with it being uncomfortable. The only thing is that it's not a bed you can bounce on - slats can break. Better off with a divan if you've got a bouncy child.

true, NP, that was DH's line of thinking - just get a normal bed and put guards up for a bit if need be. then that bed can do them for a while.

the debenham's sale is awesome! we got a cracking bed for her for £300 - and it has the drawers as well.

I like beds with highish sides - sleighbeds - which not only look beautiful IMO but help stop small children rolling out. They last forever, and also double as spare beds if people come to stay, which you can't say for those miniature beds you can buy for more money!

Like this one: on ebay

I am going to use a normal 3ft single pine bed we already have and maybe put a bed guard on the isde, cannot see the point of buying a special toddler bed as will just need to buy another one as they get older

We have this one. It's fab and v comfy

I wouldn't buy another of those extendable beds. We had one but they are v easy to break - they also had some quite hard edges and ds (especially) used to bash his nose on them!

I would go for a normal single bed with a rail if you like. There are some great bed bargains around at the mo.

Oh and it is much more 'green' to buy a 'recycled' or antique bed!

Ah, just read the thread and seen it's already been posted.

I think it's very comfy - I lie on it to read stories to DS1 at bedtime and sometimes don't want to get up!

I wanted to get one that he'd feel "enclosed" in because he was only just two and loved his cot - but I needed it for his baby bro.

Both my children went into ordinary single beds at just 2 with no problem at all, with the aid of a bed rail. They are good solid pine beds with decent mattresses - so could be used for guests. I do not ever intend to buy either of them another bed!

I am reading this thread with interest as am thinking about getting a bed for 21 month old dd. She is making the transition from cot to mattress at nursery, which seems to be going well - hence, I think we may be ready for a change at home! But one question - what bedding do you use in the bed? DD is currently in a sleeping bag which I plan to continue using. Does anyone use a sheet or other so that they can tuck their little ones in? I am still worried about suffocation even though dd is nearly two! Would appreciate some advice from some more experienced mumsnetters.

I think we carried on using a sleeping bag with DD until she was no longer wearing nappies at night, and might need to go to the toilet. But I can also see the logic of having something tucked in, to make it less likely that they will fall out.

DD currently has bottom sheet, cot pillow, and summerweight sleeping bag with full sized single duvet folded in half at bottom of bed. Will probably try with duvet over sleeping bag when it gets colder because I know she will not stay under covers. She was asleep with her head at 8 o'clock (IYSWIM) this morning.

And DD doesn't wear a nappy - just has very good bladder control. I don't know how many of us would go from 6.30 pm to at least 8 am (don't know after that because she went to nursery) without using the loo.

Impressive, Bozza. I think when we started trying to get DD dry at night, we were so paranoid about accidents, we put a potty in her room (bathroom would be down 3 stairs and up 3), to make it easier for her in the middle of the night.

Oh yes we did that with DS and he was over a year older. But DD is only 2.3 and just too little to manage to get herself out of bed and onto the potty in the middle of the night. Can I just add that I did suggest she went to the toilet when she got up but she was having none of it. And if I physically put her there against her will she will sit with her arms folded holding it in.

2.3. Wow! Respect to your DD, Bozza. DS is now 2.9, and showing no sign of being ready to potty train at all, let alone at night.