floor beds for babies and toddlers: everything you need to know about floor beds or “montessori” beds
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In the West, the idea of a floor bed can seem very strange. As a society, we love the idea of babies being contained in a crib in the nursery and the idea of floor beds can raise a few eyebrows. However, it’s actually a very common way for families around the world to sleep and can have a huge number of benefits.
what are floor beds?
Floor beds are essentially low-frame beds. They are often called Montessori beds and are associated with giving children independence around their sleep by having a frame that is low enough for them to be able to get in and out of the sleep space themselves. Some families have the mattress on the floor directly which is where the name ‘floor bed’ comes in but most opt for a little space underneath for ventilation. Floor beds can be used solely for the infant, or they can be for a parent or child or, depending on how big the sleep space is, for the whole family!
why would you want to use a floor bed?
There are many reasons why families would opt for using a floor bed. I have an Instagram Post you can read through here but here are some of the more common reasons:
Many infants who are used to bedsharing and co-sleeping have a hard time with the crib and a floor bed can allow them to transfer to their own sleep space. It is an easier transition to make than to an unfamiliar crib.
The temperament of infants can have a huge impact on the success of crib transfers. For some babies no matter what you do or try they simply wake when you put them in a crib. A floor bed allows you to lie with, nurse, and comfort your infant and then roll away without waking them. Many families say that not having to do crib transfers gains them much more sleep!
Floor beds allow you to work on independent sleep as you move between different sleep associations. You can lie with them and sing, pat, cuddle, etc if you are trying to move away from rocking, bouncing, and nursing.
Floor beds also offer an alternative to the crib if there are mobility issues. Some families are unable to physically lift their infant in and out of the crib and a floor bed alleviates the need to do this.
Some infants are very active at nighttime and rolling into the barriers of the crib wakes them up and causes more frequent night wakings. Lots of my followers contact me to say that their baby is now doing the longest stretches of sleep they have ever done after they made the switch to a floor bed and their infant has more space and freedom.
when should you use a floor bed?
Floor beds can be used from birth if they are set up safely but there is no magic age to stop or start just whatever works for your family. The Montessori method says to use a floor bed once your baby has outgrown the newborn bassinet but if you scroll through my floor bed highlight on Instagram you will see the huge variation in timings of when infants begin using floor beds. Most health advisors recommend room sharing until the infant is at least 6 months old, but a floor bed can also be used in your bedroom so long as it is set up safely. Some of the more common reasons given for beginning the use of a floor bed are:
Parents want to move on from bedsharing or co-sleeping but the crib is not an option. This is especially helpful after 9-12 months if your infant has never slept in a crib before. Many report that a transition to a floor bed is a lot smoother because it more similarly replicates the parent's bed.
The crib is no longer working out for multiple reasons, transfers, restrictions, baby climbing out, etc.
how to use a floor bed safely?
There are two major safety aspects to consider when setting up a floor bed. These are room safety and floor bed safety. When opting for a floor bed you need to view the room as the sleep space and make sure the whole area is safe.
The things you MUST consider when thinking about the safety of the room are:
Securing the furniture to the walls
No blinds or cords accessible to your infant
Making sure all power sockets are covered
Any choking hazards from toys etc are removed
No heavy items hanging on the walls or shelves
Gate at the door if they can reach the handle
This isn’t to say the room has to be completely bare. I have a lovely Instagram highlight of inspiration for beautiful floor bed setups.
Next to consider is the safety of the floor bed itself:
Make sure you use a crib mattress (safest option for under 2 years) or a very firm twin/full size mattress
Keep all sides of the mattress away from the wall to avoid entrapment
Make sure the sheet is tightly fitting (for babies under 12 months especially)
No pillows until age 2, no bumpers, no loose blankets or duvet, no weighted sleep sacks or blankets
A footless sleep suit is a safe option as it ensures they don’t trip if they get up.
You can read more about the safety aspects here.
Transitioning to a Floor Bed
Once you have made the decision to move your infant to a floor bed and you have set up the room and floor bed safely, then begin working on the transition. As with any change in sleep, you will want to make sure you build up positive sleep associations in the space. Play there, spend time there together, and read stories together there during the day. Creating these positive connections in your baby's mind will make the transition smoother. However, it is important to note that no one sleep change is the magic bullet and transitions take time. Although lots of people do contact me astounded at how successful and quickly a floor bed has changed their family's sleep! So, fingers crossed!
If you would like more information about deciding whether a floor bed is right for you, setting up a floor bed, and managing the transition then a more detailed guide can be found in The Ultimate Crib and Floor Bed Guide.
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