So your little one is ready to transit from a crib to a bed, and you are ecstatic at this little progress! Most children leave their cribs before they are 3 years of age, make sure that you don’t rush this switch from a crib to bed and only consider the options for bed when your little one is old enough to have their own bed.

Listed below are a few options for you to consider:

What to look for when buying

Side rails

It is normal for kids to toss and turn while sleeping, so it is important to install side rails on either side of the bed to prevent the kid from falling in case of excessive tossing and turning. In some beds, rails are pre-installed, while in others you are provided with an instruction leaflet to install one. Ensure that you attach the rails correctly to avoid entrapment.

Solid construction

Make sure that the bed is sturdily constructed by giving it a few shakes and jostles to see if it can withstand toddlers jumping and playing on it. If the bed is solidly built, you won’t have to replace it every year in case of wear and tear. When it comes to material, solid wood surely costs more, but it is durable and worth the investment.

Safety standards

Ensure that your product fulfills the ASTM and CPSC criteria of safety standards and see if the bed has a seal of approval on the packaging.

Weight limit

See the user manual to know how much weight the bed can endure. If you are buying a plastic bed,  it will only be able to handle up to 50 pounds, which means you can’t sit on your toddler’s bed and read them a bed time story. So think long term and invest in a sturdier built.

A snug fit

Those little gaps between the mattress and the frame pose an entrapment hazard for your little one, so make sure that the mattress fits snugly with the bed frame.

Smooth edges:

Toddlers are prone to injuries because they just can’t sit calmly in one place. Look for the designs that have smooth finish and even edges and the kind of hardware that does not protrude outwards and harm your child.

Click here to explore Bresole’s collection of state of the art baby cribs that are safe yet trendy to use!