The CDC recommends placing infants on their backs for sleeping. “The gag reflex in an infant is sufficient to prevent strangling even if they regurgitate some,” adds Robert Hayden, DC, chiropractor and spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association. He also says that loose bedding and soft toys should be removed from the mattress, and rails should be tall enough to prevent climbing out of the bed if the infant can stand. “Make sure that the mattress is firm and flat,” he cautions finally. Our editors searched the internet for toddler beds, considering the distance from the ground, maximum weight capacity, and age range. Our best overall pick, the West Elm Oeuf Perch Toddler Bed, offers all of this in an aesthetically pleasing design. Here are our editor-approved toddler beds. The overall weight capacity is 100 pounds, so your child can get several years’ use out of the bed before they’ll need to upgrade to something with more space. Best of all, the bed sits close to the ground, allowing them to have autonomy over their bedtime routine. The Oeuf Perch Bed has a higher price point, but the attributes make it worth the investment. A downside to the bed is that the maximum suggested weight is 50 pounds, so there’s only a short window of time the bed can be used before you’ll need to switch to another. With that said, the safety features, such as guard rails, work to make the time your child can use the bed much safer. For the price, this bed is a no-brainer purchase. The beds are made in a fair trade-certified facility and are engineered with solid wood and metal, making them high-quality and sturdy. It also comes in your choice of a twin bed or a full. You’ll also find that the weight limit of 300 pounds contributes to the viability of this bed for your child compared to others on this list. Another Greenguard Gold Certified option, this classicly designed bed sits low to the ground and has a maximum weight capacity of 50 pounds. It’s simple and fits seamlessly in most nurseries and children’s rooms. The frame comes in four shades, so there is bound to be one that fits their bedroom aesthetic. Plus, the maximum weight capacity is 500 pounds as the bed sits directly on the ground. They’ll enjoy this bed so much that sleep training will be a breeze. The corners of this bed are rounded, but the all-wood design might be painful if your child bumps their head against it. Fortunately, some fresh pillows and stuffed animals can remedy that quickly. The price of this bed is high, but given that it is handcrafted in Canada with impeccable quality, it is justified. Simply swap their crib mattress into this bed after assembly, and you are good to go. The design fits two twin mattresses and comes in a black or white frame that resembles a house. Like the bed from Isabell & Max, this design can add to the room’s aesthetic, helping to foster creativity and a sense of whimsy.
Height From the Ground
If the bed is too high from the ground and has limited safety guards, your child could get hurt if they roll out of bed or simply try to get out of bed. This height can also prevent the child from feeling confident enough to go to sleep on their own. A lower-ground design offers a greater chance of success in switching from a crib to a toddler-friendly bed safely and securely.
Age Range
While weight is more of a determinant of what bed will work best for your child, age is also worth considering. If you’ve decided to transition to a toddler bed at a younger age, get a bed that offers more safety and security to keep them safe. If you are okay with waiting until your toddler is older, you can purchase a frame that resembles a traditional bed.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Samantha Parsons wrote this article to include toddler beds that met attributes that contribute to the overall safety of a child during sleep. Hours of research, reading reviews, and analyzing product trends lead her to select the items above, using scientific studies and information provided by The National Sleep Foundation to solidify these choices. Parents can also opt for a crib that morphs easily into a toddler bed. By simply removing guard rails and gates on the bed, you create the freedom that comes with a regular bed and ensures they feel comfortable where they are sleeping. The National Sleep Foundation also recommends adopting a rewards system for good behavior. When the child goes to sleep for the night, provide affirmations or small incentives for doing a good job. And, if they happen to get out of bed at night, try using words of encouragement to get them back in bed. These results show waiting will allow the child to have optimal sleep quality and practice preferred sleeping habits as they mature. The design of the bed you purchase can also determine how long the child can stay in the toddler bed. If the bed is more akin to a traditional bed with the ability to adapt over time, you can probably get away with several years of use. When she is not spending her time writing for The Spruce, Samantha writes for beauty outlets like The/Thirty and works for a beauty brand. She is constantly reading up on the latest product launches and design trends.
