Room Sharing

Toddler Bed vs. Twin Bed — Pros & Cons And How To Choose

It can be a daunting thing, deciding between a toddler bed vs. a twin bed, but there are some pros and cons of each. Let’s dive in!

I’m going to come right out here and tell you that I moved all 5 of my babies into either twin or even DOUBLE beds straight out the crib.

Mainly because I had them and I’m cheap.

Looking back, I might have chosen differently for a variety of reasons, so let’s dive into those now. Before we get started though, let’s remember that there’s no right or wrong here.

It’s only a problem if it’s a problem for you.

Toddlers can sleep with blankets and stuffed animals so, this is mainly an issue of:

Accessibility
preference
space planning
budget

WHEN to Transition Your Little One Into Their Own Bed

I WILL NOT BE REMISS in offering you up what I know about moving into this new phase.

Imma be honest.

Don’t take them out of the crib too early.

Yours truly is a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant, and I see this a lot. Don’t do it too early and here’s why.

There’s actually no reason to move them early. If they are climbing out of their crib but less than 2 years old, or even less than 3… put on a sleep sack that won’t allow their legs to climb. Then, if they take off the sleep sack, turn it on backwards so they can’t get to the zippers.
If you do move them before they have developed enough self-control, you may end up spending a lot of time trying to keep them in their bed, keep them in their room or (more importantly, personally) keep them from waking up early in the morning and simply coming out.

If they know they can get up and go start their day, you may have some 5 am wakeups on your hands. And it can take weeks to break this habit.

Toddler Beds

Toddler beds are those made specifically as the “first bed” for little ones that they’ll grow out of by the time they go to school, typically.

You can buy them at specialty stores, Amazon, or even make them yourself. They are often super cute, themed, and very low to the ground. The main goal of a toddler bed is to be sort of a transition from a crib to a normal twin or even double sized bed.

Pros

Keeping in mind that there is no right or wrong here, there are some reasons why moving your little one to a toddler bed (after the crib) may be a good fit for your family.

Space Effective– Toddler beds are generally smaller than twin beds and take up far less space. This may leave space in your little ones room to keep the changing table, or that exuberant amout of baby play toys.
Safety- Toddler beds are either going to be very close to the ground, many include a guardrail. I can see this being a benefit, especially if you have an active sleeper.
Make the Transition Easier– A toddler bed is going to “feel” more like their crib because of it’s cozy little size and the fact that it has the same mattress “feel.” You can even use your current crib mattress.
Fun Designs- They come in some seriously cute designs! I don’t know a little girl who wouldn’t be excited about getting a Disney Princess Canopy Toddler Bed or a little boy who wouldn’t think it was fun to sleep in a Bat Mobile Toddler Bed!

Cons

Alright… we’ve talked about how they can be great for transitioning your little one to a big bed. Now, what are some of the reasons why using a toddler bed might not make sense.

Short Term- Because of the smaller size, your child will outgrow his/her bed fairly quickly.
Expense- Even if you were to make one, you’re looking at spending money on an item that would not be long term. In general, toddler beds are not very expensive. The question you have to ask yourself is this: is it worth spending when we won’t use it for long.
Attachment- All the excitement you put into your little one getting a “big bed” may lead to he/she becoming emotionally attached to the little bed and once again needs to be transitioned later to a twin bed.
You can’t lie in it with them – Okay maybe I’m just a sucker for some kid cuddles, but I love lying in bed with my kiddos and reading books. I’m 5’10” so you do the math.

Read: Quiet time (Rest time) for Toddlers: All You Need to Know

Twin Beds

There are several rules of thought on transitioning from a crib straight into a twin bed. Remember, don’t do this too soon.

Twin beds are quite a bit different feeling that cribs and you don’t want the trouble of trying to keep your little one in his/her bed.

Pros

Long Term Fit- You will get your money’s worth. Your little one can use this mattress for years to come. This also cuts the transition from a toddler bed out… some little ones don’t love change. Going to a twin bed may help eliminate that transition later.
Snuggles- Yay! You can now fit into your kiddo’s bed for story time snuggles before bed.
Bed Sheets/Comforter- It’s very easy to find bed clothing that matches the theme of your room or your child’s personality. It can really be a special thing for your toddler to love his/her comforter set.
Extra Space- You child now has extra space on his/her bed for stuffed animals or moving around when they sleep. My son does both. He has a “zoo” of animals and sleeps on all ends of his bed.
Creative Designs- When I first think of twin bed, I imagine a very boring mattress and frame. In reality, there are some very creative options- if you want to make your kiddo’s twin bed extra special. Here are a few: House Twin Bed, Princess Pink Twin Bed Frame, Solid Wood Bed with Relax Seat, Sport Themed Twin Bed.

Cons

SO…we took a look at some benefits to starting with a twin bed.

Now, that may not be the best fit for every kiddo. Let’s see some reasons why it may not be:

There Are No Railings- Ahhh…those handy railings at the head of toddler beds. Will your little one roll off the bed in the middle of the night and become terrified of sleeping in his/her own bed? You can create some makeshift railings or buy them, however, and this may jump it into the pro category.
Cost- The crib mattress sheets and don’t fit twin sized beds, so you’re looking at extra cost to make this transition happen. Furthermore, twin beds are slightly more expensive than toddler beds.
Space Required- Twin beds take up significantly more room than toddler beds. You’re probably going to have some moving around or down sizing on toys initially.
Tougher Transition- A twin sized bed is going to “feel” different than sleeping in a crib. Even if your child is totally ready to transition out of the crib, the task of adjusting to this bigger space may be difficult. There are ways to make it comfortable (stuffed animals, special comforters, snuggle time).

Alternatives to Toddler and Twin Beds that Work for Some Families

If you’re thinking that neither a twin nor a toddler bed is the way to go for you, here are some other options that may work:

Day Bed- Has rails on the ends and generally smaller in size than a twin. I have a friend who transitions her 3 year old into a day bed and it worked great of her.
Double Bed- If you’re looking for a little more space for stuffed animals or snuggle time.
Futon- Can be folded into a couch if needed to save on space.
Trundle- May be a great option if your toddler is moving into the room with an older sibling.
Kid’s Flip Sofa- This would work short term if you’re extremely short on space.

What if my child is anxious or resistant to the idea of moving to a different bed?

If they are resistant to moving beds, it might be too early to transition unless sleeping in the crib is becoming unsafe because they are climbing out. Involve them in choosing the new bed, sheets, pillows, etc. and make the new bed feel familiar by using their favorite blankets, stuffed animals, or comfort items. This can provide a sense of security in the new sleeping space.

How might the transition to a new bed affect siblings who share a room?

The transition might temporarily disrupt the sleep routines of both siblings. Adjusting to a new sleeping arrangement can result in more nighttime awakenings or difficulty falling asleep. This is one reason I preach to not transition from the crib too early unless it is necessary for safety. When this transition occurs, it will be important to train both siblings on sleep expectations and be consistent in how you respond to hiccups along the way.

How can I use positive reinforcement to encourage their confidence in the new bed?

Offer sincere praise for your child’s efforts in adjusting to the new bed. Affirm their bravery and willingness to try something new. Establish special bedtime rituals that are unique to the new bed. This could be reading a favorite story, snuggling with a special stuffed animal, or playing a calming bedtime game.

Sources:

Room Sharing Safety Tips For Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

These room sharing safety tips will help your little babies, toddlers, and preschoolers be able to sleep in a room and nursery together easily.

It happened while we were staying at a beach house, away from home.

My kids don’t normally share a room.

Before I tell you what happened – and what might have happened had we not been so close – I want to say this. This is not fear mongering. And this is not over reacting.

This is written in reaction to an event that probably took 10 years off my life.

what you must teach to little ones who share rooms

I’m blessed it didn’t take more.

We spent a long morning at the beach and came back in time for lunch and a nap.

Somebody needed to share a room, and my baby (5 months) and oldest son (3 years) were chosen because of their temperaments and ability to sleep through noise.

preschooler hugging newborn baby in their shared room

I usually turned on the white noise app on my cell phone, but little hands had misplaced it.

But let’s rewind… a few days earlier I had a feeling, a warning perhaps, that I should remove all the loose blankets in the room. Unfortunately, I didn’t fully heed the feeling since I always worry I’m paranoid. Still, it never fully left my mind.

That afternoon, I put my son down in the room, and then a few minutes later put the baby in his pack n play at the foot of the bed.

Then I heard the cry…

We were scouring the house for my cell phone when I heard a cry like I’d never heard until that point. I looked at my mom and asked if it was my toddler and she said she couldn’t tell. A few seconds later I knew. It was the baby and he was in distress.

I ran as fast as my legs could take me and opened the door. My 3 year old son was under the covers on the bed and the baby was completely covered up by a heavy bath towel and thrashing.

And screaming. It was the worst sound I’d ever heard. And yet the best sound.

I removed the towel, grabbed my baby, and somehow didn’t have a heart attack. My son was under the covers crying and scared. A few minutes later when my husband was laying with him we realized what happened.

Through tears he said, “I tried to get it off, but couldn’t reach it.”

The baby was smiling by this time, but my older son was distressed. Naturally, the crying had distressed him. Our reactions had distressed him. The situation had distressed him. He didn’t mean to cause harm, he just wanted to cover him up and tuck him in.

Because he was little, he couldn’t reach down inside the pack n play. He couldn’t fix it.

Here are some simple ways you can help keep your little one safe when they are room sharing.

⭐Teach your children not to cover or tuck in the little ones

If you have a toddler or preschooler, they may want to help you take care of the baby. Make sure they understand the family rules about this.

They can kiss the baby or help you hold the baby outside of the crib, but never inside.

⭐Remove loose blankets or heavy throws from reach

Don’t keep loose blankets, throws, or otherwise heavy fabrics loose in the shared room. Instead, put your little ones to sleep in sleep sacks.

⭐Remove heavy objects from the room

As you would with blankets and throws, make sure there’s nothing in the room that’s a safety hazard in general.

This is common sense, but what is not dangerous for a preschooler may become more dangerous when there’s a baby in the room.

⭐Stagger bedtime

If your little ones need to nap and sleep in the same room, you can stagger bedtimes. This is a great way to make sure one is in bed asleep before you bring in the other child.

Boundaries & Behavior

0-5, 6-12

Goodnight Bedtime Battles

This workshop will give you a simple, sanity-saving bedtime system that actually works—one that helps your kids wind down, fall asleep without endless stalling, and stay asleep (so you can finally get some rest).

Start Now

⭐Monitor the situation

Some mothers don’t like to use baby monitors – I’ve been there – but having one for a shared nursery is a great idea.

You can watch and see what your little ones do and will be able to figure out your nightly routines easier knowing your children’s temperaments.

⭐Use white noise

You’ll want to use white noise for both naps and bedtimes. This will cut down on distractions and help your little ones to mellow out. It’s a positive sleep association and will also prevent some light crying or talking in sleep from waking the other sibling in the shared room.

⭐Set and keep limits and boundaries

Create rules then enforce them with clear consequences. If your toddler or preschooler is keeping the baby up, you may have to remove them and put them to sleep in your room then try again.

Or likewise with the baby.

⭐Always – without fail – follow your gut

Because unless they’re older, they don’t get it. If the baby is sleeping when they do it, there may never be distressed crying.

Because putting them both in a room for nap or bedtime doesn’t mean they are sleeping. And, because they’re little. And they don’t get it.

Read: The Nap Trap- How to Deal with It and Not Resist It

Family Practices & Contribution

0-5, 13-18, 6-12

Sticky Routines System

Giving you a step-by-step guide to overcome barriers and stick to the healthy routines you’ve committed to. Learn the mindsets and secrets disciplined moms use to run a tight ship🚢 (think, mornings, chores, homework, bedtime, self-care, etc.)

Start Now

So… make sure you’ve set up your shared nursery for success.

You’ve made rules.

Held your limits.

Added things that’ll keep them sleeping well.

Removed things that have potential for harm.

Go with God, mama!

FAQs

Sources:

Napping Tips When Baby, Toddler, Or Preschoolers Share A Room

If you have a baby, toddler, or preschooler who nap in the same room and you need to figure out how to make napping in small spaces work, this will help.

I don’t know about you, but when my kids all nap well, I feel like a million bucks.

The house is quiet and life is good.

When naps don’t go well, baby and toddler are waking themselves up, or something Really Annoying like a phone call happens that disrupts sleep…

I become somewhat of an angry mother. Not that I’m mad at the kids, but my boundaries necessitate some time alone each day. Otherwise, I lose it.

Are you the same? Do you need your little ones to nap well so they are not whiny and inconsolable by bedtime? If so, let’s get to it.

toddler and baby on the floor in the room they share before naps

[Read more…]

Room Sharing

Where should a newborn sleep?

28 Things To Do If Baby Won’t Sleep CHECKLIST

Here are some common places newborn babies sleep:

50+ Connection Questions

WHEN to Transition Your Little One Into Their Own Bed

Toddler Beds

Pros

50+ Connection Questions

Cons

Twin Beds

Pros

50+ Connection Questions

Cons

Alternatives to Toddler and Twin Beds that Work for Some Families

Then I heard the cry…

Room sharing safety ideas for the nursery

⭐Teach your children not to cover or tuck in the little ones

⭐Remove loose blankets or heavy throws from reach

⭐Remove heavy objects from the room

⭐Stagger bedtime

Goodnight Bedtime Battles

⭐Monitor the situation

⭐Use white noise

⭐Set and keep limits and boundaries

⭐Always – without fail – follow your gut

Sticky Routines System

Room sharing safety recap…

FAQs