Five Things To Consider Before Buying A Toddler Bed

Consider the following factors before you click on the mouse button and place your order for that cute-looking toddler bed. You certainly don't want to regret your purchase, right?

1. Readiness
Sometimes, it is tempting to move your toddler to a bed before she is ready, especially when you are expecting a second child and want the crib she is now occupying for your new baby. If that is your motivation for moving her to a toddler bed, try to assess her readiness beforehand to save yourself much heartache later on. Otherwise, if she isn't ready to sleep on her own bed, it will just be collecting dust for the next few months until she actually wants to sleep on it.

2. Theme beds
Yes, the firetruck toddler bed looks cute and so is the princess one. All little boys and girls would want the first attractive looking bed that you happened to show them. But can you imagine a boy sleeping on a princess bed? I guess the point here is think long term. If you are going to have another child, you are better off buying a bed with a neutral theme, unless of course you have cash to spare. By the way, personally I don't like theme beds. Know why? Toddlers have this habit of changing preferences every other day. I know mine does.

3. Stop-gap measure
The problem with a toddler bed is your kid will outgrow it very fast. You might end up feeling it is a waste of money or you have just gained an additional task of disposing off a bed hardly 2 years down the road. I know many parents who skip the toddler bed stage and make alternative sleeping arrangements until their child is ready for a twin bed. An easy method is simply putting a mattress on top of a foam puzzle mat or playmat until your child is ready to sleep on a bed. It is a stop-gap measure, no doubt, but do bear in mind that some kids can graduate straight to a twin bed by the time they are about 3 years of age.

4. Safety
A toddler bed needs to have lead-free and non-toxic paint finishes. These days, with so many reports of harmful children products, you don't want your toddler bed to be reeking with toxic paint finishes. Look for the certification by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association so that you can be assured of its safety standards. To save you the time of checking whether each and every toddler bed set you look at meet safety standards, try shopping at ToddlerBeds.com. All of its toddler bed sets are certified by the said association, so you can buy with ease of mind without having to worry if the bed is safe for your precious toddler.

5. Twin bed alternative
Imagine the days when you just want to lie down and cuddle your toddler. Especially on those nights when she may be sick or has bad nightmares. She wants you close but you can't get onto her toddler bed because it is simply too small. This is one good benefit of a twin bed over a toddler bed. Buy a twin bed if you want to get onto the bed with your toddler for all those warm cuddles.

Beds For Kids - What's Available?

	KidCo Convertible Crib/Bed Rai List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $25.71
	KidCo Convertible Crib/Bed Rail MeshFeatures:• Specifically designed for use with most convertible cribs • 13”-14” total height • Easy installation; no tools required • Steel and mesh materials • Age Range: 1-3 years • For use when your child still sleeps in a crib, but in the toddler bed style • Helps with transition from crib to “big kid” bed

	The Shrunks Tuckaire Toddler Inflatable Travel Bed List Price: $79.00 Sale Price: $62.89
	Whether used as a transition to a big bed, sleepovers or travel, the Tuckaire™ Toddler Travel Bed is the perfect solution. Designed so that normal crib-size sheets and blankets tuck into the inner mattress to make kids feel secure and cozier, just like at home! The Toddler Travel Bed includes the Jetaire™ electric pump to make inflation and deflation fast...

The Shrunks Sleepover Kid's Travel Bed List Price: $99.99 Sale Price: $75.00

The Shrunks Sleepover Twin Travel BedFeatures: Includes Inflatable side rails to prevent children from rolling off Sheet tuck design allows you to use twin size sheets on the center of the bed and tuck blankets in and around it, keeping sheets and blankets off the floor Free of phthalates, BPA and lead Inflates/deflates rapidly with electric pump (included) Bed folds compact and fits conveniently inside carry-on style luggageSpecs: Inflated Dimension: 79 x 51 x 5 inches Constructed from durable Phthalate Free PVC Includes carry/storage bag Includes electric pump

	Marshmallow Fun Furniture Flip Open Sofa: Sesame Street Theme List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $41.98
	Dreams can come true with the Marshmallow?s Flip Open Sofa with built in slumber! Choose your favorite characters from Cars, Toy Story, Disney Princess and more. Snuggle up warm with your animated friends and fall asleep knowing they?re right beside you...

	Stork Craft Soom Soom Toddler Bed, Oak List Price: $94.99 Sale Price: $69.30
	Your child's safety is our greatest concern. Stork Craft strives to exceed your expectations in the areas of safety, performance, usability and style. All Stork Craft products meet or exceed domestic and international regulatory standards for juvenile furniture safety and performance, and are carefully designed to mitigate the risks of potential hazards to your child...