Have you heard of floor beds for babies? Floor beds are indeed a hot topic, for all the right reasons. Their popularity among parents has been attributed to their affiliation with the Montessori approach and emphasis on fostering self-reliance.
For parents who have already considered putting a tempat tidur lantai on their shopping list, you must be wondering when is the right time to transition to a floor bed and how long it can last.
This article will discuss the best time to let your child use a floor bed and provide practical strategies to help you and your child be ready when the time comes.
What Is a Floor Bed?
As the name implies, a toddler floor bed is a bed that sits on the floor or has a small base. The bed can be as simple as a mattress on the floor, or it can have a low-profile structure built expressly to keep the mattress in place and promote optimum air circulation.
The bed normally has no railings and is close enough to the floor for a baby to get in and out safely, allowing children to explore their surroundings more freely.
What is unique about a floor bed is not just the bed itself but the philosophy surrounding itโthe Montessori philosophy by Dr. Maria Montessori of early childhood development. The Montessori Method emphasizes self-directed learning, allowing children to explore and engage at their own pace. This approach fosters self-esteem, autonomous thought and action, and critical thinking skills, while also promoting emotional and intellectual development.
This bed setting encourages children to explore safely, improve their physical coordination, and form a pleasant, good relationship with sleep.
Rather than being restricted to a crib with limited movement and vision, a Montessori bed offers the child the freedom to explore a world full of discoveries and experiences.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Floor Bed for Children?
Encourages Independence
When your child is in a crib, they rely on you to get in and out of bed. It’s simply too high for them to handle on their own. A toddler floor bed, on the other hand, allows your child to climb into and out of bed on their own.
This autonomy encourages independence and helps your child develop a responsibility awareness. This helps them feel better about themselves and more confident.
Support Exploration
When youngsters sleep on a floor bed, they learn that they can roam around at will. This encourages kids to explore their surroundings and builds independence, allowing children to experience the world around them on their own.
Enhances Safety
When used properly and effectively, Montessori floor beds are an outstandingly secure sleeping choice for young children. When compared to an elevated crib, being so near to the floor virtually minimizes the possibility of your infant injuring themselves by falling out of bed.
Develop Athletic Ability
The barrier-free design of the floor bed allows young children to move around unhindered, which helps them develop gross and fine motor skills. When they wake up, they can roll over, crawl to the ground, and explore the room. With continued practice, your little one will become stronger and more flexible.
Develop Good Sleeping Habits
Without the restriction of a fence, children can get in and out of bed freely, this pattern is more likely to lead to a healthy sleep schedule. Of course, this may require some guidance from you in the early stages.
When Is the Best Time to Transition to a Floor Bed?
If you think a floor bed would be a good fit for your toddler, let’s talk about when to transition them into one.
There is no set age for transitioning your child to a floor bed; the best timing will depend on a variety of factors like as developmental milestones, safety concerns, and family preferences. That said, some Montessorians recommend doing so between the ages of 5 and 10 months when your baby has started to sit up and move around independently.
However, the Akademi Pediatri Amerika (AAP) states that the only safe sleeping arrangements for children under the age of 12 months are designated cribs, or keranjang bayi. As a result, if you’re thinking about getting a Montessori floor bed for your child, you should wait until they’re at least 12 months old. Many other experts suggest transitioning your child from a cot or boks bayi to a Montessori floor bed between the ages of one and three years.
While there is no set age for transitioning, there are a few markers that might assist parents decide when to begin this transition process:
- Active Mobility: If your child begins to crawl or roll over, this is an excellent time to transition to a floor bed. Allowing them to discover that they can move to other places, even just a few steps without the help of others, will make them feel happy and more willing to develop new motor skills.
- Climbing Attempts: If your child outgrows their weight and height for a crib or has developed the ability and curiosity to climb out of his crib (and perhaps even tried to do so), it’s time to consider moving to a floor bed. This kind of behavior can easily lead to falling accidents.
- When You Are Full of Confidence: For most parents, you’ve watched your child grow up every step of the way, and you’re familiar with every behavior of your child. If your gut tells you that your child’s cognitive and motor abilities are good enough to sleep on the floor bed, then now may be the time to do so.
Ultimately, the best time to transition is when your child shows readiness indications, enabling a smoother and more positive experience for everyone involved.
How to Transition to a Floor Bed?
Transitioning to a floor bed necessitates several strategic measures to ensure that the transition is smooth and enjoyable for your child. Here are some practical strategies for facilitating the change:
Clear the Room of Hazards in Advance
Start by covering electrical outlets, securing lightweight, wobbly furniture, and removing any small things that could cause choking hazards.
Proceed to use soft, non-slip rugs and keep the floor free of sharp edges.
Finally, keep toys and books on low shelves or baskets for convenient access, but limit their number to avoid overstimulation before bedtime.
Involve Your Child in the Process
Encourage your youngster to take part in the change. Allow them to assist with bedding selection or space arrangement. This involvement will provide children with a sense of ownership and excitement about their new sleeping.
Introduce the Floor Bed Gradually
Begin by allowing your child to utilize the floor bed during nap times to become used to their new sleeping arrangement. This gradual approach may help children adjust more readily.
Alternatively, position the floor bed in the same room as the crib to start, allowing your child to explore the bed while still having the comfortable crib option available. Once they’re comfortable, consider switching to using it at night.
Make the Bed Inviting
Make the bed feel more welcoming by adding cozy linens, favorite stuffed animals, or a lovey. (Of course, if the youngster is old enough to have those items, safety comes first). Allow your youngster to assist choose sheets or a blanket to generate excitement about the move.
Create a Calming Bedtime Routine
Establish a consistent ritual that signals bedtime, such as reading a story, dimming the lights, or singing a lullaby. Keep this practice joyful and stress-free in order to form positive connections with the floor bed.
Be Patient
We acknowledge that there will be challenges during the transition and your child may need some time to acclimate to their new sleeping arrangements, and there may be occasional night wakings or requests to return to the crib. Stay patient and supportive as they make this transition.
Safety Precautions for Transitioning
Moving your child from a crib or cradle to a floor bed is for better sleep and development, but safety is the most important thing. You need to pay attention to the following points๏ผ
Eliminate Potential Hazards in the Room: Secure all dressers and bookcases to the wall to prevent tipping, and if necessary, install window guards. Remove or secure any items that could cause choking or strangulation hazards.
Buy the Right Mattress: To lessen the risk of suffocation, select a firm mattress and make sure it fits snugly against the bed frame. To lower the risk of sleep-related newborn death, the AAP suggests that the baby should sleep on a firmly, level, non-inclined surface that holds its shape and does not conform to the infant’s head.
Do Not Use Soft Bedding: To avoid the risk of suffocation, do not use blankets, pillows, and plush animals in bed. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that infants sleep on fitted sheets with no soft objects in the sleeping space. Instead, clothe your youngster in sleepwear suited to the room temperature.
Consider Temperature and Ventilation: Placing a mattress directly on the floor can disrupt airflow around the sleeping area. Make sure the room is kept at a safe and comfortable temperature, and if moisture or mold is an issue, consider utilizing a low-profile frame to elevate the mattress.
Awasi Anak Anda: The original intention of the floor bed is to encourage infants and young children to explore independently, but this does not mean that they can be completely independent. Monitor your child’s initial exploration to protect their safety.
Regularly Inspect the Setup: Reassess your child’s floor bed and surroundings on a regular basis to verify that it is still safe and appropriate for their needs.
Kesimpulan
Transitioning to a floor bed can be a great way to encourage a child’s independence and sense of exploration. Parents can help their children transition from crib to floor bed by carefully selecting the right time, childproofing the area, and establishing a consistent routine. Remember that every child is unique, so tailor your approach accordingly.
For distributors seeking top-quality floor bed solutions, consider partnering with Clafbebe, a trusted manufacturer devoted to safe, innovative childrenโs furniture. Explore our profil Perusahaan to learn more about product offerings and how we can support your business and ongoing future success.
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