Dangers of a Toddler Bed....?

Updated on November 15, 2006
M.K. asks from Woodstock, GA
20 answers

Reese is my little red-headed 28-month old angel. Her and I have just moved into our very own house 2 weeks ago and when I set up her room I converted the crib to the "toddler bed" style, put a bed rail on so she wouldn't roll off, plugged the outlets w/ covers, etc. Reese has taken to this bed GREAT and has been sleeping w/o a problem :)

Here's my problem - My ex is stating that she could possibly get up during the night and pull on the nightlight (or similar) and get electrocuted; he thinks she is still too young to understand the consequences of doing this and by her sleeping in a "toddler bed" she will most likely hurt herself during the night.

So...knowoing that MILLIONS of toddlers start sleeping in toddler beds at/or around 2 yrs old, how do I convence him that it is just another step in her growing up and (hopefully) nothing is wrong w/ having her sleep in her "big girl" bed?????

Thanks in advance for any and all input!

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M.E.

answers from Jackson on

Remind him that a 28 month old is more likely to fall out of a crib than to electricute herself when there are plug covers. I moved my oldest 2 kids to a toddler bed when they were 16 and 24 months(because we had a new baby and needed the crib). My 16 month old will be moved to a toddler bed in Jan, to make room for the next baby. The only problem we had was with my oldest was that one night I left the desitin out and I walked in to find him with it all over his hair!! lol

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B.L.

answers from Atlanta on

Just get some bed rails and tell him she can't climb over them, that will shut him up. lol good luck, I got the controling ex issue too! Always thinks he knows better than the way I am doing. He's not there so I do it my way. ;)

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K.R.

answers from Atlanta on

He's an ex for a reason! Exes are just pains. My son started sleeping in a toddler bed a little bit before his 2nd birthday. He was never in a crib, slept with me until he got his big boy bed. As of now he is 27 months, and has had his own room for the past 6 months. Before that he was often left alone in the bedroom we shared to go to sleep in his toddler bed. Mine and Chris' bedroom is downstaires while Cameron's in upstaires, he has a fan in his room that he doesn't mess with and no gate is up to keep him in there.

Not sure what to tell you here, tell him that she understands a heck of a lot more then he is giving her credit for. At this age she can be reasoned with, things explained to her, she's one smart cookie, and a bug sponge. The best I can do for you is ignore him. That's about it. Good luck hun, let me know how it goes.

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H.C.

answers from Atlanta on

having been in your exact position (not same circumstance, but many very similar) just wanted to let you know it is your ex trying to control things in *your* house. If you feel safe and secure in her sleeping arrangements, don't give it another thought. You cna take the high road and smile and tell him you appreicate his concern and let it go at that. ugh... i'm getting angry for you. I dealt with this same thing for so long. Best of luck. That sweet angel will get you through more than you can imagine! hugs!

H. C in Newnan =)

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P.S.

answers from Macon on

I agree with most of the other moms. My nephew would climb out of his crib very young. I think kids are more likely to be injured climbing out of the crib than to be injured by a nightlight. I think you need to do what you feel is best for your baby girl and forget about your ex... thats why hes your ex LOL!! I hope all goes well with your transition : )

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B.

answers from Augusta on

Both of my kids were in toddler beds one at 18 months ( out of necessity) and one at 2yrs, Both did great. his little what if is highly un likely. She is much more likely to get hurt climbing out of her crib than she is to pull her nightlight out and eletricute her self just make sure you have her dresser and anyother furnature she has in there anchered to the wall so if she tries to climb them they dont have a chance to fall over on her.

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J.

answers from Atlanta on

I would tell him even if she did stick her finger in the outlet all she would get is a shock and probably never touch it again. Not that I would ever want any child to experience this, I did it when I was a child and learned a very valuable lesson. The electrical outlet in on a Alternating Current (AC)so it is not possible for a person to get electricuted by sticking a finger in an outlet.

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S.O.

answers from Nashville on

M. -
Just wanted to go on record as agreeing w/most of the other posts: there is NOTHING wrong w/transitioning your daughter to a toddler bed! I have three children (now 9, 7 & 3). All of them were moved to a toddler bed @ age 2 - a "Big Girl" (or "Big Boy!") bed for their 2nd birthday(s).
I honestly feel that the dangers of her getting out of bed & pulling on a cord in the middle of the night are no greater than her doing so during the day ... when you're cooking or bathing, etc. Besides - it sounds like you're an attentive mother who has already taken child-proofing precautions! If she gets out of her toddler bed at night - she's more likely to try to come climb into YOUR bed or to try to sneak & play w/her toys!
Also - my children were all climbing OUT of their cribs by that age ... something my husband & I felt was VERY dangerous!!!
BEST of luck to you. Follow your "Mommy" instincts - they never steer you wrong!

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K.S.

answers from Macon on

Hey M.. My best advice is to not make a big deal out of the things that can hurt her. Just remember when your parents said "NOT" todo something, you tried to see for yourself what would happen!! Well, just tell her to stay in the bed vs Not get up. They respond better if you tell them to do something rather than not to do something. As far as the control issues, they are his issues he is making her issues. You need to get along for the childs sake.

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J.S.

answers from Knoxville on

My husband and I transitioned our son to a "big boy bed" when he was 2 years old. He went directly from the crib to a standard twin bed - and absolutely LOVES it. (He was climbing out of the crib and had fallen twice and we felt it was safer this way.) We've simply taken the time to explain what he is and is not allowed to touch - and then made sure we stayed consistent. He rarely gets out of bed, but when he does, I feel confident that he won't touch anything he's not supposed to.

Also - it's YOUR house and YOU make the rules. If you say your sweet little princess can sleep in a toddler bed, then that's what should happen. Just make sure she knows what is OK to touch and what is not OK to touch - especially at 3:00 in the morning :). At 2 1/2, kids are much smarter than a lot of people give them credit for.

Good luck and hope this helps!
~J. S

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H.K.

answers from Nashville on

M., my little girl completely skipped the "toddler bed" and moved from crib to twin bed at age 2. She was climbing out of her crib and when I converted it to a toddler bed she would have nothing to do with it. So I bought her a "big girl twin bed". My mother and my ex said I was crazy and that she was too young! Guess what? She loved it!! There were a couple of times I would hear her playing in there and I would put her back in bed. I would be concerned with what you ex thinks at all. Tell him mommy's instincts are a little more accurate then he thinks.

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D.J.

answers from Knoxville on

I don't know. My God-Daughter got out of her bed and pulled the TV on top of her by pulling on the "rope". It's really a call you have to make. You can teather some things to the wall or at night time just pick the lamp up and take it with you.

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H.C.

answers from Chattanooga on

Hi M.,I understand what you are talking about.You have to just try to explain to him she is active now and climbs etc.She is in more danger of climbing out of the crib or trying to fit her head thru to get out and can get stuck and seriously hurt.If hes concerned about the night light perhaps you can get her a little low watt lamp for the top of her dresser where she cant reach it.maybe that will help him but she is at the age she needs to learn her independence of growing into a big girl.All 3 of my kids were in toddler bed before the age of 2 out of neccessary means.Good luck with him and hope he will see the light,H.

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L.L.

answers from Nashville on

I can't believe you had her in a crib as long as you did. Both of my kids were monkeys and by 13 or 14 months old they were in a toddler bed because they could climb out of the crib. I never had a problem with them unplugging anything at all. Don't let her see you unplug something and you should be fine, she won't even realize that it comes out of the wall. I think you are right, your ex- is concerned about not having the control but she has to be allowed to grow up.

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C.C.

answers from Jackson on

I had the same fear with both of my boys (2 and 4). My solution for this was those new airfreshiners that have the lights on them that sit on dressers. The dresser sits in front of the plug so they are unable to reach the outlet and are unable to reach the night light. Your ex just needs to realize that even though there is a slim chance that all of these terible things can happen. Its just like getting into a car everyday. You could have a wreck, but the chance of it aren't that great and nobody ever lets that stop them from living their lives. You are doing a great job raising your daughter and don't let his "might happen" fears stop you from letting her grow up to be a big girl!

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M.E.

answers from Atlanta on

M.,

I personally think he just isnt ready for her to grow up. My son has a spongebob nightlight right next to his bed that he plays with all the time. However I have sat down with him and said " hot" serveral times. So he will only touch the button he wont touch the lamp or his standing light. I believe children are smart, at this age they are a direct representation of us as parents. What you teach them they will learn and copy. She is a big girl , let that princess sleep in her bed, just make sure she knows what to touch and not touch.

Mom of one

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J.

answers from Atlanta on

Safety 1st Swivel Outlet Covers........
We installed outlet covers that have a safety device built in. We use them in my daughter's room & on outlets that we use frequently. Plus, we moved her lamp out of her room. The outlet covers we have are made by Safety First. You use the plug to turn the cover a quarter of the way, then insert the plug. When the plug is taken out, the cover pops right back into place so little hands can't explore. I think I bought mine at Babies R Us or Target. I found them online at www.kidsurplus.com & many other places. Just type in Safety 1st Swivel Outlet Cover. They are VERY easy to install.
Hope this helps.

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J.

answers from Atlanta on

It sounds to me that if you have taken the precautions as far as the plugs and such in her room then there should not be a problem. Your daughter is old enought to be in a toddler or twin size bed. I have been a nurse and nanny for over 15years, if she likes it she should be just fine. Hope things work out for you and get better.

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K.

answers from Nashville on

Hey there M.,
If it were myself in your shoes, I would ignore your ex. You are the mommy and you know what's best for your child. My son is 2 1/2 and sleeps in his crib converted into toddler bed. He never gets up during the night. He only rolls around everywhere in the bed. Anyways, I would think it would be ok, but if you want to apease your ex, take the night light out and put cover over it. But if I were you I wouldn't put her back into a crib. They need to learn how to sleep in their own beds. Hope this helps a little.
K. M.

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T.

answers from Chattanooga on

Let her sleep in her bed. If she is sleeping well and not getting up at night already, I don't see aproblem with it. Good luck.

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