Kids grow up so fast, don’t they? One day you are changing their diapers and the next they are running around the house, the pants you only bought a few weeks ago no longer fitting them. 

Studies show that the period of the fastest growth in kids is between ages 1 to 6. On average, kids grow up to 16.5in / 41 cm during this time! And apart from their clothes, one of the things that will suddenly become too small for them is their bed. 

The good news is that when you know what toddler beds to get, you probably won’t have to do any last-minute replacements. Here is how to figure out which toddler bed is best for your child. How to know what bed to get for your child

When it comes to toddler beds, deciding which one is best for your little one will depend on three things:

• Your child’s age
• The amount of space she has in her room
• Whether or not she has her own room or it is a shared room

Your Child’s Age

The younger your child is, the smaller you want her bed to be. This is not just a size thing; you want to leave as much open space in her room as possible so she can enjoy some unstructured independent play alone. As your child grows up, she’ll want to spend more time relaxing on her bed, which means you should get her a more spacious bed. 

The Amount of Space She Has in Her Room

Your child may want a double bed, but would it be a practical choice? The size of her room and the amount of space that is available will determine the bed design that you go for. 

Whether or Not She Has Her Own Room 

If your kids are sharing a room, it limits you to the types and bed sizes that you can get. Older kids may also want to bunk together. Take this into account as you go for beds that are age appropriate for all your kids. 

How do You Know When Your Child has Outgrown Her Bed? 

By the time they turn two years old, most kids will have outgrown their cot. You will know this has happened by how fast your little one can get in and out of her cot, and how much space she has inside the cot when she sleeps. If she looks too squeezed, she is probably too big for her cot. Generally speaking, though, your child should be ready to transfer to a toddler bed by the age of 2. 

Toddler beds are designed for kids between the ages of 2 and 7. It is a great way to start teaching your child to be independent by giving her a bed that is proportionally hers. She will be able to start practicing making her own bed along with other basic organization and time management skills that will serve her well for the rest of her life. 

Once your little one outgrows her toddler bed (at about 7 years), you can move up to a single bed. This should serve her well for many years without any issues. 

If she gets to her teenage years and wants a bigger bed that can hold her and at least 5 of her friends when they come over, you can now buy her a double bed. 

Final Thoughts

The best bed for your little one will depend on her age as well as the unique needs of your family and your child. Babies should be more than comfortable in a cot, toddlers will love their own toddler beds, and as your child grows even older, she can graduate to a single bed or double bed.