What are the characteristics of a good toddler bed?
A good toddler bed has some or all of these characteristics:
- Solid, sturdy construction so it doesn't fall apart under active sleepers. This may be difficult to measure without seeing the bed in person. If you have an opportunity to see or touch a bed before buying, that's always best.
- Covers and/or materials that are easy for parents to clean, including waterproofing features. Toddler beds can get messy really fast! Fluids will be spilled on them at some point, especially if drinks are left within reach of toddlers who like to climb (which is pretty much all of them).
- Easy transition from a crib. This is important because kids often go right back to their old cribs when visiting family homes or during holidays.
- Affordable price. Don't break the bank for a toddler bed, but don't get the cheapest one either! This is a case when you usually get what you pay for. It pays off to buy something decent that will last at least two years and sometimes even longer than that.
- Safe: meets all current safety standards and comes with a 5-point harness and/or full guard rails on both sides of the bed.
The 7 beds we found to meet most or all of these criteria
Delta Children Canton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
This bed has all the characteristics of a good toddler bed. It has been posted on each side to give kids something to climb, but the space between them is wide enough that it's difficult for toddlers to get stuck under there (although it's still possible if they're determined).
The covers are easy to clean with machine-washable materials.
Crib converts into a toddler bed, daybed, and full-size headboard/footboard when you add included conversion kit. Full guard rails on both sides. There is a 5-point harness in this bed too.
Its design is pleasant to look at, its price is more than affordable.
Advantages:
- This is a great bed for the price.
- Great design that looks good in any child's room.
- Solid construction with posts that are easily accessible for climbing but too far apart to trap a toddler. The space between them is wide enough that it's almost impossible to get stuck under there.
Disadvantages:
Some parts of this bed are made of particleboard, which can be harmful if ingested. If buying this bed, make sure your toddler doesn't chew on the edges or corners of mattress support, headboard, or other wood components. As long as it's put together correctly, this shouldn't be an issue anyway because the pieces should fit snugly right out of the box.
DaVinci Jenny Lind Mini Crib with Toddler Rail (Aspen)
There is no guard rail on one side of this bed, but there's a full-length guard rail on the other side. The cover and mattress are both machine washable. There are even more color options to choose from than for Canton 4-in-1, including white, black, espresso, natural, silver mist & honey pine. This bed can also be converted into a daybed/toddler bed combo or headboard only (without a footboard). It does not come with a conversion kit like Canton 4in-1 or Eclipse, but it can be purchased separately.
Advantages:
- It's a great deal for the price.
- The color options are great.
- Easy to clean. Comes with a 1-year warranty.
Disadvantages:
There is no guard rail on one side of this bed, although there is a full-length guard rail on the other side. It depends on parents' preferences which they consider to be more important – having a full guard rail all around or being able to remove it if necessary (for example, when transitioning from daybed back into crib).
DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Convertible Crib / Toddler Bed / Daybed (Espresso)
This is more of a traditional toddler bed that converts into a daybed/toddler bed combo, then into a full-size headboard/footboard. There are no posts on the side for kids to climb, but there's also no guard rail on one side. The mattress is also not machine washable, while both covers are. It does come with a free conversion kit.
You may need to get a new toddler rail if you want to convert it into a daybed or headboard later on - there isn't one included in the package. At the time of this writing there are only 3 color options to choose from: dark espresso, light espresso, and white - if you're not into these colors see what's available at Amazon.
Advantages:
- It is really cute, and the color options are great.
- The daybed/toddler bed combo is nice, especially considering that you can buy a conversion kit at a separate cost if needed.
Disadvantages:
- It does not come with a guard rail on one side of the bed. It doesn't have posts for kids to climb either, however, there's no guard rail on one side so it all depends on how much parents care about having that or being able to remove it later on. You would need to get a toddler rail separately if you want your child to use this as a full-size headboard/footboard, otherwise, there isn't one included in the package.
- The mattress is also not machine washable, only covers are. As with other convertible cribs, you might face some issues like parts not fitting correctly if doing a conversion yourself.
KidKruft Fire truck toddler bed
This bed has no guard rail on one side and posts on the other - your baby will either be in danger of rolling out of this bed or getting their limbs stuck under it, but there's also a full-length guard rail on the other side. The mattress is not included (it must be purchased separately) nor is a conversion kit to make this bed into a daybed/toddler bed combo. There are only 3 color options to choose from: white, red & blue.
Advantages:
There is a full-length guard rail on the other side.
Disadvantages:
- This bed has no guard rail on one side and posts on the other so it's not safe at all, your baby is in danger of either rolling out or getting their arms/legs stuck under it, but there's also a full-length guard rail on the other side which is good.
- The mattress is not included (it must be purchased separately) nor is a conversion kit to make this bed into a daybed/toddler bed combo. There are only 3 color options to choose from: white, red & blue.
CJLMN twin size wood bed
What we like about this bed is that it's very low to the ground and has no guard rail on only one side. The frame of the bed is made from wood. There is a full-length guard rail on the other side, but there are posts on both sides to provide kids with something to climb (however they're wide enough so your baby shouldn't get stuck under them).
Conversion kit not included, you'll need to buy separate conversion rails if you want this bed to be used as a daybed/toddler bed combo or headboard only. And just like in the case of DaVinci Jayden, mattresses must be purchased separately too. The price tag isn't $100+, but we don't know what it is - you can check out the price history and see what prices people paid for this bed in the past.
Advantages:
- It is very low to the ground and has no guard rail on only one side.
- The frame of the bed is made from wood. There is a full-length guard rail on the other side, but there are posts on both sides so kids can climb them - however, they're wide enough so your baby shouldn't get stuck in between them.
- The conversion kit is not included, so you'll need to buy separate conversion rails if you want this bed to be used as a daybed/toddler bed combo or headboard only.
Disadvantages:
Just like in the case of DaVinci Jayden, mattresses must be purchased separately too.
Costzon toddler upholstered platform bed
This bed has no guard rail on one side, but it's possible that your baby won't roll out of the bed. There are posts on another side for kids to climb - they're wide enough so your child shouldn't get stuck under them. The covering material may not be machine washable, but it can be easily washed by hand. You'll have to purchase a conversion kit separately if you want this bed to be used as a daybed/toddler bed combo or headboard only.
Advantages:
- It is possible that your baby won't roll out of the bed, there are no posts on one side.
- The covering material may not be machine washable but can be washed by hand.
Disadvantages:
There are posts on another side for kids to climb - they're wide enough so your child shouldn't get stuck in between them, but this bed has no guard rail on one side.
Delta children sport race car twin bed
Both guard rails on this bed are short, so your baby may roll off the bed. Posts on another side can provide kids with something to climb or get their arms stuck under. Conversion kit not included - you'll need to buy separate conversion rails if you want this bed to be used as a daybed/toddler bed combo or headboard only. The good thing about this bed is that it's very affordable ($100+), but check out what people paid for it in the past.
Advantages:
It is very affordable.
Disadvantages:
Conversion kit not included, so you'll need to buy separate conversion rails if you want this bed to be used as a daybed/toddler bed combo or headboard only. Guard rails are short on both sides.
How to make your toddler's bed safe?
If you're going to use a toddler bed as a daybed/headboard for your toddler, it's important that you attach guard rails or purchase a toddler bed with a long enough guard rail. In general, the length of the short side of the guard rail must be at least 10 inches from the edge of the mattress to the post/frame. Also if your baby sleeps in his own bed and there isn't anyone else in the room (e.g., parents) watching him, we recommend attaching the long side of the guard rail to keep him safer.
How many years can my child sleep in a daybed?
Until he doesn't complain about uncomfortable sleeping conditions or has no problems climbing up and down on; usually around 5-6 years.
Why should I buy a toddler bed with guard rails?
Because it takes away possibilities of your baby rolling out of the bed, getting his arms stuck under posts or getting injured in some other way.
How to buy a conversion kit for a toddler's daybed/toddler's headboard?
The conversion kit is sold separately, so you'll need to check whether the manufacturer sells them and purchase one that includes instructions on how to use it. If not, there are tons of videos on YouTube showing how to attach these rails.
How to clean and maintain a toddler`s bed?
Most of the beds are machine washable, but if this is not the case you can easily clean it by using warm water with soap (follow instructions on the cleaning agent container). If you want to make sure critters won't be an issue for your child.
You can clean it with a vacuum cleaner wipe it with a damp cloth, rinse and let it dry. This way you could avoid the purchase of mattress encasements, just use your child's regular sheets - that won't be an issue.
How to prevent my toddler from getting into bed with me?
There are several ways.
a) If your little one is unable to climb out of his bed because it has no guard rails on the short side (and none on the long side either), he may stay in his own bed without any issues. However if your toddler's bed doesn`t have posts or can get them stuck in between, you don't have to put him in his own room every night: this way he'll know how it feels when mommy and daddy aren't around to cuddle.
b) Use a room divider to give your toddler some sense of security because he can see you, but not get into the bed with you.
c) If you don't want to use any physical objects, try giving him one more toy at night - this way he'll have something else besides mommy's warmth for comfort.
d) Let your baby sleep in his own bed for at least 6-7 months so he gets used to it. Once this happens, the problem is almost solved. And if after 6-7 months you still have issues getting your child to sleep in his own bed for naps or at night, it's time to seek professional help.