Is a Montessori Floor Bed Right for My Child?

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Montessori babies sleep on low bed frames so they can freely explore their surroundings and find rest when they are tired. Montessori Floor Beds are not raised off the floor to allow baby to get in and out once they start crawling and to avoid injuring themselves if they roll out. The bed is designed to keep them safe without locking them in like a crib.

More: Is a family bed right for my family?

How to know if a Montessori floor bed is right for your baby

Montessori floor beds are not suitable for all families, and it is very possible to raise your children Montessori style while using a different type of sleeping arrangement. But for some families, the bunk bed is the ideal choice.

The Montessori method is largely based on the concepts of independence, choice and freedom of movement. Using a floor bed mattress has many advantages. First, it allows a toddler to visually observe their surroundings. At this tiny age, babies take in their world through what they can see, and wire mesh can block much of that.

Older babies may wake up after their nap and start crawling or scrambling around the nursery to keep them occupied and satisfy their curiosity. They can even do this in the middle of the night, especially when they are first learning to walk. Montessori thinking supports this kind of freedom because baby can choose what captures his interests, whether it's working on learning to crawl or starting to sort and stack a bunch of blocks.

There is no right or wrong answer, but each family must decide if a Montessori-style floor mattress is a good fit. Many parents like to start with the traditional bassinet or cot and move the baby into their own bed when they are a little older. A three-month-old sleeps best in a bedside table, while a nine-month-old sleeps better in their own room on a floor mattress. Some parents find that bunk beds help their little ones sleep, while others find the opposite.

Our top picks for Montessori floor beds

What to consider when buying a Montessori floor bed

• Can your baby get in and out of bed easily and safely? The purpose of the bunk bed is to give them freedom of movement, so it's important that they don't hurt themselves in the process or injure themselves if they roll down. Make sure the bed is really low enough and remember if they can climb in too.
• Does the bed provide enough air circulation? Because Montessori beds are so low, it is important that there is enough space for air to circulate. This is especially true if you live in a humid climate as you need to prevent mold from growing on the mattress.
• Is it easy? Montessori materials may only be used for the intended purpose. A bed is no different. A bed is for sleeping, resting and cuddling. It shouldn't be flashy or decorated like a playhouse etc. A simple frame will do.

How we picked our favourites

Since birth I have been passionate about applying the Montessori philosophy at home. I have a Montessori training and I write about Montessori in collaboration with Montessori educational centers for young children. Through all of this I have learned a lot about preparing the home for a baby according to this philosophy. I drew on my own knowledge by consulting with early childhood Montessori experts and what real parents had to say about floor beds on the market to create our list of the very best Montessori floor beds on the market .

WALCUT children's floor bed

product price

$169.99

Best all-around Montessori floor bed

This bunk bed ticks all the boxes and we highly recommend it! The mattress is low enough for an infant or toddler to climb in and out of easily and without injury. And while it's very low, this frame raises the mattress just enough off the ground to allow for proper airflow. The country style frame looks adorable in a baby's room but keeps things simple and focuses on sleep and rest. We also appreciate that it's crafted from premium Finnish pine, painted with eco-friendly materials, and that the hardware is concealed to prevent possible injury.

reviews

"We like that the mattress is close to the floor so my daughter can get in and out of bed easily and safely."

South Shore Sweedi Cot

product price

$158.30

The trendiest Montessori floor bed

We love this simple yet beautiful Montessori floor bed. The mattress sits right on the floor, so getting in and out of your little one is safe and seamless. This may not be ideal for humid climates as the mattress is not elevated. Another bed in the popular house-inspired style, this one is cute enough to add some style to the child's room, but it doesn't detract from the bed's purpose of being a place to sleep and rest.

reviews

“It's simple and cute, just what we were looking for!”

KD Frames Twin Trundle

product price

$98.54

A good option for minimalist parents

The KD Frames Twin Trundle gives you just the basics, and for some parents, that's just perfect! Many families who follow the Montessori philosophy also take a minimalist perspective. This bed is guaranteed not to be a distraction because your little one won't even see it under the mattress! It's set right there on the floor so babies are safe to explore and have a chance to practice their developmental skills when the mood hits, but it's raised just enough to allow for proper airflow. This piece is intended as the lower part of a trundle bed, so it could also be a good choice for families with several children.

reviews

"I needed something for my son's bed to raise it off the floor without being too high - I wanted floor bed height. I found this and love that it's a great non-toxic option at a great price!”

Trolls World Tour Plastic Sleep and Play Toddler Bed

product price

$59.99

A budget-friendly option

For parents who don't want to spend a lot, this plastic bed frame is a good choice. No, it's not made of wood (and Maria Montessori never said anything had to be made of wood, by the way), and there are a few eye-catching character designs. However, if you want to save some money, this bunk bed is a good option. It's low enough to work well for its intended purpose of allowing a baby to move freely while keeping them secure. It even has built-in rails to prevent babies from accidentally rolling out at night. However, it is not ideal for humid climates as the mattress is directly on the floor.

reviews

“I bought this because it stands on the floor so no worries getting in and out. Very durable and adorable! Great value for money.”

Keep your child in bed

Some parents worry that following the Montessori approach to sleeping could cause problems, especially since the child is free to get up in the middle of the night. In many cases this can happen, but fortunately it can be solved with a solid bedtime routine. The idea of ​​a bunk bed is to give children freedom within limits, which is an important tenant of the Montessori approach. In other words, a Montessori kindergarten doesn't mean you have to be a permissive parent.

A solid sleep and bedtime routine is the first step. Keep it under 20 minutes and keep it simple. For example: pajamas on, nurse or bottle, song, story and off to bed. When using a bunk bed, you don't have to insist that your child stay in the bed, but you can insist that they stay in the room. Just provide a few quiet stuffed animals so that even if your little one isn't ready to sleep, they'll have a restful time.

In a Montessori nursery, you also want to set the stage for sleep by keeping the room dark and using white noise.

Our favorite Montessori style sleep promoting products

Advice on safe sleep: Babies under one year old only need to sleep on a crib mattress. Crib mattresses are much firmer than any other type of mattress and only they are approved to protect against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The bed should be free of blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or anything other than a fitted sheet. For older toddlers or toddlers, any firm mattress is fine, whether it's a twin-size mattress or a full-size mattress. If you share the bed, you should also wait until the infant stage is over.

Note on room security: When using a Montessori bunk bed, it is important to childproof the entire bedroom. This means, among other things, no accessible cables, hidden sockets and furniture screwed to the walls. Cots are designed to keep the baby in a secure enclosure and without cots you need to ensure the nursery is completely safe.

By: Is a Montessori Floor Bed Right for My Child?