It’s a common problem that a toddler might fall out of their bed during a transition from cot to a bigger, more proper bed. Aside from your child being an active sleeper – who just can’t stop moving on her sleep – it is also because they’re still not used to the size and freedom of a bigger bed.
While some falls are harmless, it can still potentially cause injury and disrupt their sleep and yours. In this article, we will provide you with some tips to help stop your toddler from falling out of bed.
Avoid transitioning directly to a single bed
When a toddler is around 2 to 3 years old, parents will start thinking about moving her out of her cot. There are some bed size choices available, but the most common are whether to go for a toddler bed or directly move to a proper single bed.
Moving directly to a single bed might save plenty of your time from having to buy a bed twice, but toddler beds are created for a reason. They’re specially designed with toddlers’ safety in mind, such as being low to the ground and have protective guards on both sides, which is highly essential to keep your little one safe during sleeping. That’s why it’s highly recommended to move to a toddler bed first, before transitioning to a large single bed.
In addition to that, toddler beds also offer a variety of benefits such as attractive design for kids, has rounded edges and additional bottom drawers for additional storage. Check here for our latest best toddler beds recommendations!
Put the bed against the wall, or in the corner of a room
Placing your toddler bed against the wall isn’t just space-saving, but it also creates a natural barrier that will reduce the number of potential spaces for your child to fall to. However, before configuring your child’s room, check if there’s any gap between the mattress or bed and the wall to avoid your child’s hands getting pinched between the gap. Make sure the bed doesn’t easily move too – so that nothing will create a gap between the bed and the wall.
Attach a pair of bed rails
One of the most popular solutions is to attach bed rails or bed guards to your toddler’s bed. There’s plenty of bed guards you can choose, from something that looks like a rail to a foldable option that you can easily open for your child to climb in and out. Some rails are even portable and can easily fit into your bag for traveling.
Some parents may think that using a bed guard defeats the purpose of moving out of a crib. However, always remind ourselves that transition from cot to a toddler bed should be smooth and slow, and there’s nothing wrong using bed guards when your child first moves to her bigger bed. These rails can later be removed when your child is accustomed to the size of her new bed.
Put bed bumpers under the blanket
Bed bumpers are different from bed guards. It comes in a form similar to a pillow that you can place under a blanket to create a barrier that prevents your child from rolling out of the bed. This is a more portable – and cheaper – option for parents who don’t prefer using bed rails, but keep in mind that it can also reduce your child’s sleeping area, and might make her feel uncomfortable.
A creative way to make your own bumper bed is to roll up a large beach towel and put it underneath your child’s blanket.
Use a floor bed
One of the main reasons a toddler often falls out of their bed is because they’re still not accustomed to a bigger bed size compared to the one they had in the crib. However, some toddlers aren’t just comfortable sleeping in a high position off the ground, and that can make them have some short of anxiety before they sleep.
A solution to this is to opt for a floor bed instead. There are plenty of options for toddler floor beds in the market – no less attractive than standard toddler beds, too! That way, you can ease her transition process and totally avoid the risk of falls.
In fact, floor beds also offer a variety of benefits. One of them is encouraging freedom of movement and teaching independence.
Don’t wear sleeping bags
Using a sleeping bag for a toddler can increase the risk of falling out of bed, as the sleeping bag can shift and become bunched up during the night, leading to a lack of stability and support for the child. As a result, the child may lack awareness of space and will fall out of the bed.
Instead, go for a fitted sheet on the mattress and a thick blanket for warmth (especially for winter), rather than using a sleeping bag.
Some additional tips
Create a safety sleeping environment around the bed
Sometimes, after everything we’ve tried to do with their bed, a toddler can still fall down, which can be a bit frustrating. Therefore, it’s essential to create a safe environment around your toddler’s bed to minimise any unwanted injury possible.
According to the NHS, parents should remove dangerous stuff around a toddler bed, such as electric cables, toys, scissors, or anything that may potentially harm your little one.
Another idea is to place a rug or cushion around the bed, so that even if she rolls down, she’ll fall to a soft area and would prevent any kind of injury.
Do not consider bunk bed
Bunk beds are often attractive space-saving and money-saving options for parents who have siblings or twins, but they’re just not safe if your child is still in early age – even if you put her in the lower bunk. In fact, most bed-related accidents in toddlers occur are associated with bunk beds, and they often happen during playtime. The NHS recommend not to use bunk beds for a child of under 6 years old.
