Big Kids and Bed Rails

[gratefulgirl]

DD1 is 4 and sleeps in a twin bed with a rail. She has asked to have the rail removed. It's only purpose in life is, and has been for about a year, to keep her stuffed animals in bed with her. She herself barely moves in her sleep. DH is hesitant though for some reason. Any suggestions on how to convince him the rail is optional? BTDT tips?

[puffandstuff]

What is he afraid of? If she falls out of the bed she'll either stay on the floor or get back in bed. Neither will hurt her. We never used bed rails so I have no experience with that.

[gratefulgirl]

Apr 6, 2016 13:27:16 GMT -5 puffandstuff said:

What is he afraid of? If she falls out of the bed she'll either stay on the floor or get back in bed. Neither will hurt her. We never used bed rails so I have no experience with that.

Our niece fell out of her twin and broke her arm when she was pretty old (5+, can't remember the exact age). So basically that. But our niece is apparently a crazy sleeper. DD1 is not.

[briarrose]

I agree with puffandstuff. I never had a rail when I was a kid except on the top bunk.
Sounds like he is being overly nervous over something that is very unlikely to happen. How long is he going to make her keep it? Especially if she is the one asking for it off.

[aaemommy]

We didn't put a rail on A's bed when we transitioned him a few weeks ago. He fell out twice, cried once, climbed back in once, and that was that.
I understand his hesitation since his niece had that bad experience, but then again I know countless kids that have broken bones falling off of bikes and you don't see parents keeping their kids on training wheels forever because of fear of broken bones. You can't protect them from everything. Eventually you have to take the training wheels off and while they may fall, and there is a slight chance they could break a bone, most likely they'll be just fine.

[puffandstuff]

Apr 6, 2016 13:47:46 GMT -5 gratefulgirl said:

Apr 6, 2016 13:27:16 GMT -5 puffandstuff said:

What is he afraid of? If she falls out of the bed she'll either stay on the floor or get back in bed. Neither will hurt her. We never used bed rails so I have no experience with that.

Our niece fell out of her twin and broke her arm when she was pretty old (5+, can't remember the exact age). So basically that. But our niece is apparently a crazy sleeper. DD1 is not.

Wow! What a fluke accident. I can understand is apprehension but I still think the odds of her getting hurt are low. Can you try the mattress on the floor to gauge whether she'll fall off or not?

[shevacc]

My almost 4-year-old currently sleeps in a daybed that's pretty high off the ground for her. We never used a rail but put a padded bench along the edge, partly as a step stool and partly to break her fall if she were to fall out. How high is this bed? Would something like that work? Or pillows on the floor for the first few nights?

[vk]

I fell out of bed as a child, hit my face and almost fractured my cheek bone so I get the hesitation. But I understand that it was a fluke accident. We will be doing the floor mattress thing for awhile after DS is done with his crib.

[gratefulgirl]

Apr 7, 2016 0:37:12 GMT -5 shevacc said:

My almost 4-year-old currently sleeps in a daybed that's pretty high off the ground for her. We never used a rail but put a padded bench along the edge, partly as a step stool and partly to break her fall if she were to fall out. How high is this bed? Would something like that work? Or pillows on the floor for the first few nights?

The bed is on a standard metal frame with 5" box spring, so not super high but also not super low. I'm sure part of DH's hesitation is that if she falls out the wrong way, she'll smack her head into her dresser and there's no way around it in her tiny room - we can't move it further away or anywhere else. But maybe pillows will convince him.

[ice61313]

Could you try a pool noodle under the sheet at the edge? At least it isn't a large rail and something to give your DH assurance. Somewhat of a win-win.