Turn the changing pad into a soft landing pad next to a "big kid" bed

Here's Kelly's backup plan in case her toddler rolls out of bed:

My firstborn transitioned into her 'big girl bed' at 17 months of age.  As her toddler bed only had the head & foot area side rails, we were a little worried about her rolling out and onto the floor.  Pillows to soften any potential blow caused a problem when she tried to get out of bed in her sleepy-head state because they would trip her up...so I grabbed the changing pad (that we only used for the first few months anyhow!) off the top of the dresser and tossed it on the floor next to the bed.  Now we have a firm, cushioned surface for her to plop onto if she rolls out, but it's firm enough to easily walk on without tripping.

I remember worrying about my roly-poly kid hitting the floor when he first moved into a regular bed! But it was a low bed and his room was carpeted, so I figured he'd be fine. He did indeed fall out a couple of times, but he barely woke up. The last time, in fact, we heard a loud thump, we came running, and he had already climbed back into bed and was fast asleep.

Related: Pool noodle as lightweight toddler bed rail

Comments

[Melinda]

That is a great idea! I have been using stuffed animals and pillows around my son's big boy bed. They work, but he does have some trouble getting out on his own sometimes.

[Amy]

We skipped the toddler bed and went straight to the bottom bunk of bunk beds, since that is low to the ground. We used the baby bed mattress for a landing pad, and just pushed it under the bed during the day like a trundle.

[Asha Dornfest]

Great hack in itself, Amy -- crib mattress as landing pad and trundle bed!

[Elizabeth W.]

We just use a twin mattress on the floor until they are past the falling out of bed stage...

[Tracy]

We put the mattress on the floor for several weeks too during the transition.

[http://www.amerisleep.com]

Going to a king tempurpedic mattress to the floor has done some damage. ;) My flight leaves back to LA tomorrow. A beautiful long vacation almost