Toddler beds??

I know I still have awhile to go before I really need to worry about this because I still have 2 months before I have my baby boy, but do toddlers really need toddler beds or are they fine with a regular twin size bed?  I always like planning ahead and there is a bedding store that is closing so they are having really good sales.  For all you ladies that already have toddlers, did you get them a toddler bed and if so how long did they use it?

[nalla]

My first 2 kids used one untill they were 4. Maybe a little older.  I have a 3 year old right now and she never used a toddler bed.( It got broken by the older kids jumping on it and we already had a twin size bed and didn't want to buy another one). When she was younger we bought these railings that you put on the side of the bed so they don't fall out. They worked pretty well. My 3 year(almost 4) old thinks she is like a baby having them on, so we took them off and she does just fine without them.
I don't see any reason for them to HAVE to have a toddler bed. Some children are scared of big kid beds and have become attached to their cribs, so it's a little easier on the toddler to move from their crib to the toddler bed. It's smaller and has the railings, so that makes the adjustment easier on them.
With my 3rd we took her shopping to pick out a new blanket and pillow set and  helped her set her new bed up in her room so she could see it every night to get used to it.. We did this a few weeks before we moved her out of her crib. She had 2 weeks to get used to her bed and then eventually she was excited to sleep in it.

[Sydneysmom]

We aren't going to use one.  We got convertible cribs for both my 2-year old and 3-month old so we can use the frames for a long time and just change the configuration.  Our 2-year old doesn't mind his crib so we aren't changing it yet.  He doesn't try to climb out.  My sister-in-laws both put their kids (6 total) straight from crib to twin but during the transition they kept the mattresses on the floor so the kids could get used to them.

[ImmortalOne]

I hated the toddler beds. I had them for my first two girls and they destroyed or where damaged easily.  I think between both girls I went through 4 or 5 toddler beds before just getting them twin bunk beds that were solid wood.  I'd go after the convertible crib if you can afford them, since they grow with the child, and are generally more sturdy.

[JTSHB]

Well we got a "wood" white bed at toys r us for my daughter.  She slept in it at age 2 and is now 4....she is just now starting to get a little tall for it although we can squeeze a bit more time out of it.

Ours has held out great....it is like brand new, although she is great with it and doesn't disrespect her furniture....so it's in great shape...

I liked it because it was only $100 and we could use her baby mattress with it to get more years out of the use of the matress....

And it has the half bars on it so she falls out less than a bigger bed and it's lower to the ground for safety in case she fell.....she did fall a little at first....but of course not now!

So I think it's a good idea for a toddler bed as long as you don't spend too much on it, you will get good use out of it for a couple years.

JT

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I picked up a second hand toddler bed, my ds was in it for a year and now is in a twin bed (he's 3.5)  I liked the toddler bed but they are not a necessity, you can buy a rail at Walmart that makes a twin safe.

[mommy2aj]

we bought a convertible crib for this very reason. after my son turned 1 i always debated to myself when to take down the crib rail. i kept thinking, oh he is fine we'll wait awhile. well when ds was 1.5y i walked in his room one night and he was straddling the rail watching his tv. that night we converted!! it was nice to not have to run out and buy a toddler bed. we will be moving soon and when we do i am thinking about going ahead and converting to the full size bed. he has outgrown his nursery decor.

[myproblem]

I just kept my dd in her crib until she was a little past two, and then got her a twin bed. We bought a side to put on it, and she has been sleeping in it ever since. I felt like a toddler bed would be a big waste of money. I also had a crib tent over her crib from 15 mos. old though because she would crawl out. See my post above to taysmommy.