How Do You Stop a Sleeping Toddler from Falling Out of Bed?
As you’re probably aware, sleepy toddlers are prone to rolling out of bed during the night. While most nighttime bumps don’t cause serious harm, preventing such falls will minimize your little one’s risk of injury and ensure the whole family sleeps soundly through the night. If you’re wondering where to start, check out our handy guide below.
Why are toddlers prone to falling out of bed?
It’s easy to forget that the transition from a crib to a bed is a significant milestone for toddlers. Little ones love to roll around at night, and they have to get used to the sensation of sleeping in a bed. The age at which toddlers stop falling out of bed can vary significantly, with active sleepers taking a little longer to get used to new sleeping arrangements.
Rest assured, however, that your toddler will become accustomed to the new dimensions of their bed over time and learn to sleep soundly. In the interim period, however, it’s worth putting some protections in place to keep your child happy and safe as they grow up.
Tips to prevent toddlers from falling out of bed while sleeping
The good news is that there are plenty of simple tips you can use to ensure your toddler stays in bed, including:
- Follow a relaxing bedtime routine
Hyped-up toddlers are much more likely to move around at night. As such, it’s worth following a calming routine at bedtime to help your little one drift off and stay relatively still. It’s up to you what the routine involves, but potential activities include:
- A warm bath
- Listening to soothing music
- Dimming the lights just before bed (and eliminating screens!)
- Reading a bedtime story
- Remove potential hazards from your child’s bedroom
As your toddler grows, their bedroom will accumulate hazardous items like plastic toys, tables, and chairs. While removing these hazards away from the bed won’t prevent them from rolling out, it will reduce their risk of injury in the case of a fall. If your toddler’s bedroom is brimming with toys, looking for potential storage options can free up floor space. It’s also worth placing a couple of large pillows directly beneath the bed if you’re worried and would like some peace of mind.
- Try a toddler bed
Most toddlers struggle with the transition to a grown-up bed. As such, you may wish to look into getting a toddler bed to ease them into a new way of sleeping. Toddler beds are small beds with raised sides that prevent toddlers from falling out. Many toddler beds also come with cute, age-appropriate designs – perfect if your child wants a themed bedroom!
- Buy a crib rail
If you’d like an extra layer of protection in your toddler’s bed, a crib rail represents the perfect solution. hiccapop’s Convertible Crib Rail, for example, offers a secure barrier that effectively prevents little ones from rolling out of bed. As well as being easy to install (no tools needed!), the product is super easy to detach, meaning you can take it off when your toddler feels ready to sleep without a rail.
If you need any convincing, check out some of our fantastic customer reviews. The hiccapop extended family has been raving about our rail’s easy assembly, sturdy structure, high-quality materials, speedy shipping, and much more. Try it for yourself today!
- Place your child’s mattress on the floor
If your toddler is especially active in bed, it may be worth placing their mattress on the floor for a short period to help them adjust to sleeping outside of a crib. This solution may not suit every child, as it may not be as soft and comfortable as a bed. However, placing a mattress on the floor makes sense if you’re worried for your child’s safety.
- Place your child’s bed against the wall
It goes without saying that placing your child’s bed in the middle of the room gives them more opportunities to roll out during the night. Placing your little one’s bed in the corner of their bedroom will provide maximum security. Simply install an effective barrier on the open side of the bed – and voila! You’ve created a safe and cozy environment for your little one to dream.
- Invest in a memory foam mattress
You may have heard of memory foam as a pain-relieving solution for older adults with bad backs and creaky limbs. Did you know, however, that this high-tech material is also perfect for sleepy toddlers? By adapting to your child’s shape, memory foam offers a cradle-like surface for sleeping. As well as comforting your little one, a cozy memory foam mattress will help minimize movement during the night and prevent bumps and falls.
- Avoid bunk beds
If you have twins or young children who are very close in age, you may be tempted to purchase a bunk bed and save space in your home. However, bunk beds are unsafe for young children, even if you don’t plan to use the upper bunk. Children love to swing on tiered beds, putting them at risk of injury. Plus, a fall from a bunk bed tends to be much harder than a fall from a standard bed. As a general rule, you should wait until your youngest child is around nine years old before you consider installing bunk beds.
Find the right nighttime solutions for your toddler today!
There are plenty of strategies available to stop your toddler from falling out of bed while sleeping. From bed rails to comfy mattresses, we recommend trying a combination of methods to ensure your little one enjoys healthy sleep. Remember – hiccapop has a range of sleep accessories to make bedtime as smooth and comfy as possible. Browse our website today, and feel free to reach out if you have any comments or questions!