Making the switch from a crib or co-sleeping to a big kid bed can be equal parts exciting and daunting. As parents, we are often full of worries like "Will they be safe? Will they stay in bed? Will I have to get up 100 times a night?" and all the what-ifs in between. However, there are many solutions to these worries so that both you and your child can have a restful night of sleep.
There are a few options parents consider when transitioning to a bigger bed. First, consider a Montessori-style bed. Montessori beds are simply mattresses on the floor. Due to being so low, a Montessori bed completely eliminates the risk of falling out of bed.
Other options include using a barrier to help prevent kids from rolling out of their beds. A great option for this is our Fig & Blossom inflatable bed bumper. We came up with this idea after traveling on vacation with our own kids. Our youngest at the time was a very rambunctious sleeper and we were so afraid of him falling out of the bed. We tried utilizing pillows under the sheets as well as on the floor, but that didn't stop him. They were not high enough and far too compressible, and he fell right out of the hotel bed, our biggest fear. Luckily he was ok, but because of the height of most beds you come across while traveling we knew we weren't willing to take that risk again. This led us to design a product that later proved to prevent this on a future trip.
Learn more about our bed bumper by clicking on the photo below ⬇️
Once you've figured out bed safety, the next consideration is room safety. From birth, it is imperative to ensure all furniture is anchored to the wall to prevent tipping hazards. Another huge concern of parents is how to keep their children in their rooms at night. The best solution for this is either a doorknob cover on the inside of their bedroom door or a baby gate in the inner door frame. When choosing a baby gate in the door it's important to remember that the door still needs to be able to close for fire safety reasons. If your child's bedroom is upstairs it's also a good idea to have a stair gate just in case your little gymnast still gets out. And don't feel the need to ditch that baby monitor just yet. Continued use can help you stay in tune with your toddler's needs throughout the night and nap times. For extra protection, you can even add a simple peel and stick door alarm that will alert you if your child leaves their room.
If you have a potty training toddler with a bathroom attached to their room make sure you also safety proof everything in there. Lock up all cleaning and personal care products. If you don't feel safe allowing your child access to the bathroom without supervision, consider a potty station area within the room. This gives children the independence they crave while still ensuring that your child and home are safe.
No matter how or when you choose to make this transition we know it can be a scary one. Just remember you've got this! We love to hear from you. Feel free to comment below and tell us what worked best for you and your little one!
