Advice on a bed for my 2 and 1/2 year old

[lbrown1618]

My DD went to a twin bed just before 2nd bday as her little brother needed the crib. She went straight to a twin, but we started with the mattress/box spring on the floor, to make it closer to floor if they fall out. She fell out once and that was it. I know they sell those guards to put on a regular bed, but I think they are a waste. Their body only needs one tumble to learn not to roll out. PS i don't recommend putting bed agianst a wall to act as a guard. We tried that and were awakened in the night to her being stuck. :-(

With all the bed bug scares, please skip a used mattress - or invest in a zippered enclosure if you get used. If you really can't afford a new mattress and frame...you saisd DH could build a tot frame...have him build a twin frame and put all your $ to the mattress until you can afford a proper frame. Also, you don't need a head/foot board...usually you can find the simple metal frame on Freecycle or super cheap (like $10-20) on Craigslist.

[cpaige]

I have a 4-1 convertible for my son, so I'm no help there. However, with having my son, my niece and and another grandchild on the way, my parents were starting to freak out about a bed for the kids. They actually found a toddler bed being thrown out. It is in perfect condition, minus 2 slats for the mattress. Their neighbor was getting rid of it so they asked her about it, she told them her son grew out of it, no problems w/it...take it. So now they have one.

Look on craigslist and freecycle (it's a yahoo group). You'd be surprised at what people get rid of. Good luck

[Ginya]

When my children were young, all three went into a twin or a double, whichever we happened to have or found reasonably priced. We put each one in the "big" bed around 2, they did not fall out. There is no real need for all the speciality items available now, just extra expense. Parents all think the things are so cute, but babies and young children don't care about cute as long as they are comfortable.

Call me old fashioned--oops, I am old fashioned and frugal.

[saversavory]

I'd skip the toddler bed and go straight to a twin bed if you have the room. A toddler bed is used for such a short time, to me it makes more sense to go straight to the twin bed.

My youngest has been sleeping in a twin bed since just before his second birthday and it was been fine.

exactly what we did. just put the box and matt right on the floor

[Kalenika]

We had a spare twin bed to use, but because my son rolls around a lot when he sleeps, and because he is obsessed with cars, we got him a car toddler bed. It isn't the lightning mcqueen one, but it was $30 on craigslist with mattress; and was in pretty good shape. We didn't need the crib, so we sold it and that paid for his toddler bed and then some. You may be able to find a cheap toddler mattress at the GoodWill or a baby consignment shop. Same for the regular size mattress.