Children's Bed Selections: What Every Parent Should Consider Before Buying

Childrens beds must be safe, sturdy and able to accommodate the needs of the child

. Different types of beds are made to handle body weights and provide necessary safety features for the child sleeping in it. Children of different ages need different types of beds. For example, a young child in her first bed needs rails to prevent her from failing out while she sleeps, but an older child doesn't need the extra safeguards. A child with a medical problem or a child who still wets the bed needs a bed that's easy to clean with a plastic or covered mattress. The bed's support and base is also an area parents must examine; bases should be solid, level and able to handle a child's frequent or heavy movements. Children need a bed that will property support their back to prevent posture and back problems as they grow. Slants, which are bars across the bottom of a bed frame, are a common feature in children's beds because of the even distribution of base support for the mattress the slants create.

The correct size for a child's bed depends on various factors, including the room size and the child's height and weight. A taller child may need a longer than average bed frame for a proper fit, and a heavier child should have a bed that's designed to support his body weight. Regardless of the child's individual needs, the bed must fit in the child's room in a way that allows for the child's other furniture, personal items and whatever play space the parent wants the child to have.

Style, color and design play a part in a parent's bed selection for her child. Children's beds come in various materials, styles and colors. Wood, plastic, metal and composite frames are available in numerous designs and colors. The right material depends partly on the child's needs and partly on the parent's preference. For example, a wood bed is an attractive choice but might not be the best purchase for a parent with a child who's still drawing on walls and furniture; wood frames are often more difficult to clean and more expensive than the plastic or metal frames. Some children beds accommodate only one child, while bunk beds and split designs allow for two children to sleep in the same bed while having separate sleeping spaces. Bunk beds are a space-saving design for a parent who needs a bed for two children in the same bedroom. Convertible beds allow the parent to use interchangeable bed parts to accommodate the child's needs as she ages. The bed might start off will full safety rails, but the parents can remove rail pieces over time until only a traditional bed remains.

Specialty beds, often aimed at children three and up, feature characters or distinct styles a child would enjoy. Car beds, train beds and princess beds, for example, are styled after the item they represent. A specialty bed is often tempting to a parent because of the child's love of the design, but a parent should take the child's age and the household budget into consideration before purchasing this type of bed. Specialty childrens beds are usually designed to hold a smaller child, so the child will outgrow the bed before he is a teenager, and children's tastes tend to change often.

Parents should inspect their child's beds at least once a year for cracks or weakened base supports. A bed that is starting to sag, appears uneven or has a weak base can pose a safety hazard to the child sleeping in it. Optional bed features, such as a ladder on a bunk bed, should also be tested for weak spots to prevent accidents.

by: Mark Glendale

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