Do we need bed rail for toddler's new bed?

8 replies

cockles · 31/03/2008 15:23

Ds is 2.4, still in cot but we're thinking about his first bed. Should we get one with bed rails? Or are they unnecessary? I'm hoping they might help discourage him from getting out himself, as well as stop him falling out! Is there any other reason not to go straight to a single bed?

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JingleyJen · 31/03/2008 15:28

we went straight to a single bed at 20 months but that is because we had one already and it has shorter than average legs so is lower to the ground. DS1 still sleeps in it now - we got a new coolmax matress from mothercare as he wasn't night time potty trained and we didn't want to buy a new matress that would be trashed with bedwetting.
We did buy a side thing to put onto the bed but it didn't fit (didn't tryit before night one)so the first night he had without it, and didn't fall out so we never replaced it.. he doesn't fall out of bed

it will be interesting to read other replies, DS2 is getting a little too large for his got and we have to do it all again soon but with no spare single bed to hand.

SixSpotBurnet · 31/03/2008 15:32

Both DS1 and DS2 had a bed rail. DS1 banged his teeth on it so hard that he is still having problems with a baby tooth that is refusing to fall out - he's nearly 9 now!

Nonetheless we got a new bedrail for DS3 when he moved to a bed but he hated it so we haven't used it. Can sell it to you for a knockdown price if you can collect from East London!

pinacolada82 · 31/03/2008 15:35

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This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

BirdyArms · 31/03/2008 15:37

Ds1 didn't have a bed rail when he moved to a bed at 2.2. He fell out a few times to begin with and we put a duvet on the floor to soften the blow - he normally didn't wake up when he fell out so must hve been fairly soft. Our logic for not using one was that we didn't want to have to take one with us when we went on holiday - though not sure it would have been a big deal to have one at home and not on holiday.

MyEye · 31/03/2008 15:42

we didn't bother with rails -- if you put the duvet on sideways and tamp it down firmly under the mattress on either side, it feels pretty snug/secure for them.

the longer you leave it (moving them into a bed) the more you can incentivise them to stay put, with starcharts etc.

taliac · 01/04/2008 15:28

I haven't tried this, but it looks cool:

www.gro-group.co.uk/grobag/products/grobag-first-duvet-bedding-sets

Hillbilly · 01/04/2008 18:23

We did not use a bed rail for dd. She was 2.1 when she moved into a bed and I just put 2 big cushions on the floor (still do!) in case she fell out, which she has only done a couple of times in 8 months.

Must add that she is still in a sleeping bag and although she can capably take it off, she never does so at night hence no night wanderings.

Clure · 17/04/2008 17:34

DD went into her first bed just after her third birthday. Late I know but she absolutely LOVED her cot and never made any attempts to climb out of it. Anyway was bit nervous about bed transition. We bought nice single from mothercare and a pine bedguard as whenever DD slept in single bed with me when we stayed with family she fell out several times. She settled straight into new bed no problems and I feel totally at ease that she won't fall out. I tuck duvet down side where bed is against the wall and down between mattress and bedguard so this makes her feel secure and stops covers being kicked off.

My only moan now is that she has started getting up SO much early. This has only happened in the last couple of weeks. Any ideas what we could do to try to encourage her to stay in her bed till at least a decent time?!

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