The decision on which option to use once your baby moves from the crib depends on a number of factors that may include space, financial implications and personal preferences. Here are some options that you can transition your toddler to.
• Floor mattress
Using this ensures that there is no risk of your baby falling. You can ensure that the floor is clean and clear. The mattress from the cot could be lifted out and made up on the floor. A mattress from a full height single bed could be used in the same way.
- Ensure the mattress is positioned away from the walls as young children can become trapped between the mattress and wall. A child’s mattress needs to be relatively firm to prevent sleep accidents. Keep the area around the mattress clear of soft toys, bean bags, plastic bags or similar objects that a young child can roll onto.
- To test if the mattress is firm enough for your toddler to sleep on do the ‘safe hand test’. Press your hand down on the mattress, and when you lift your hand up, check to see if your handprint has been left on the surface. If your handprint is there, the mattress is too soft and not a safe sleeping surface for your baby.
• Toddler bed
This is an intermediate bed that is built on a low level to reduce the injury risks from falling out of a bed.
• Adult height bed
You can use an adult bed but for safety, you can do the following:
- Make sure there is no space between the bed and wall as bigger gaps can cause a young child to become trapped.
- Keep the fall distance to a minimum and use soft flooring materials or a mattress around the bed to reduce injury from a fall.
- Keep the area into which a child could fall free of furniture, toys and other hard objects.
- Add bed rails that are attached to adult height beds to prevent the risk of a child falling. Ensure that the rails are fitted properly.
