It can be a big milestone when a child moves from a crib into a bed, so choosing the correct toddler bed frame is important. There are many different options available, and the biggest factor you should pay attention to is safety. The height of the bed frame is one important safety issue, and some people choose to simply place a mattress on the floor until the child becomes used to sleeping in a bed. If you are thinking ahead, and your child is still very small, you may also want to consider buying a convertible crib. Another similar option is to select a toddler bed frame that will work with your child's existing bedding, since that can help ease the transition.
There are many different types of toddler bed frames available, so selecting the right one can seem difficult. In order to help you narrow down the choices, you may want to start off by considering the safety of the child who will use the bed. Since children who are just moving from cribs into beds may be in danger of falling out during the night, the height of a toddler bed frame is one of the biggest safety concerns. It is typically a good idea to select a frame that leaves the mattress fairly close to the ground, though you may also want to consider simply placing a mattress on the floor at first. The other reason to avoid frames that are too tall is that they can be difficult for small children to climb into.
In addition to the height of the frame, there are a few other safety concerns to keep in mind. If you are interested in an antique toddler bed frame, you should make sure to have it tested for lead paint. Old bed frames may have several layers of paint, so it is important to ensure there are no health hazards present. The construction quality can also be important to pay close attention to, since a poorly made frame may fall apart if a child is allowed to play or jump on his bed.
The other main factor to keep in mind when choosing a toddler bed frame is the comfort of the child. In order to minimize the disruptive impact of introducing a new bed, you may want to select a frame that will work with the existing bedding from your child's crib. One type of bed that is particularly well suited to this purpose is the convertible crib, which can be turned into a toddler bed when the child is ready for the transition. Not only does this keep the bed familiar to the child, it also typically saves money.