DOES MY CHILD NEED A BED GUARD?

Bed Rails are designed to keep infants safe from falling out of bed whilst they sleep, and help young children to progress from a cot to a bed with ease. Bed rails for toddlers can make the transition from a cot to a bed much easier on both parents and children, providing a familiar, secure sleep environment for children and reassurance to parents that their child is unable to fall out of bed. 

Choosing the most suitable and a compatible Bed Guard for your child's Cot Bed, Single Bed or Double Bed etc can be a daunting task. With so many sizes and styles to choose from, making an informed choice will ensure your child's bed guard fits your mattress and bed perfectly and ultimately is safe for your child to sleep alongside. 

To help you choose which bed guard is most suitable for your child’s bed, Safetots have put together a list of things to consider, including three steps to follow to help you make the safest choice. We have also provided useful facts on the different types of bed guards available, the pros on cons of each, plus the benefits of using a bed guard for your toddler. 

3 STEPS TO CHOOSING A BED RAIL 

Step 1: MEASURE YOUR MATTRESS: Take a tape measure and measure the LENGTH and DEPTH of your mattress. 

Step 2: HEIGHT: Take the depth of your mattress and MINUS this figure from the height of the bed rail you are looking to order.  The bed rail must be a minimum of 16cm above the mattress.  EXAMPLE: if your mattress measures a depth of 20cm you will need a bed rail that has a minimum height of 36cm. 

Step 3: LENGTH: For safety reasons, when you install a bed rail you will need to ensure there is a gap of 25cm between the bed frame and bed rail at each end of the bed.  You will therefore need to order a bed rail that enables you to achieve a total space of 50cm.  EXAMPLE: if you order a bed rail of 100cm in length, you will need to ensure your mattress length is a minimum of 150cm.    

LOOK AT YOUR MATTRESS 

I HAVE A DEEP MATTRESS: if you have a deep mattress, you will need an Extra Tall Bed Guard.

I HAVE A LONG MATTRESS: if you have a long mattress, you will need an Extra Wide Bed Guard.

I HAVE A LIGHT WEIGHT, THIN MATTRESS: if you have a slim, light weight mattress which is often the case with cot beds and toddler beds, make sure that the mattress is substantial enough to hold a bed rail in place.  Consider a smaller bed rail such as a Standard Mesh Bed Guard.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A BED RAIL? 

Bed Guards for toddlers are recommended between the ages of 18 months to 5 years.  As your baby naturally progresses, the need for moving from a cot to a bed is inevitable and for some parents the sudden lack of ‘cot bars’ can seem a bit frightening.  Suddenly your child can climb out of bed at any time or topple out of bed whilst they sleep.  Installing a bed guard to an infant’s first bed can take away these fears, enabling toddlers to sleep safer without the risk of falling out of bed, yet providing them with their first steps to independent sleeping. 

Although the recommended age for use of a bed rail is 18 months to 5 years, as a parent you may instinctively know when your child is ready to progress from a cot to a bed (with a bed rail fitted) and they may be slightly younger or older than the recommended age.  You may also choose to remove your childs bed guard before the age of 5 years or beyond the age of 5 years. 

WHICH BED RAIL FOR A DOUBLE OR KING SIZE BED?

Although many Wooden Bed Rails and Mesh Bed Rails are compatible with double beds, Extra Wide Bed Rails or Extra Wide and Extra Tall Bed Rails are most suitable.  Large bed guards are generally longer, (covering a greater length of the bed), and taller, (reaching a greater height above the mattress).  It is advised that you measure the depth of your mattress and establish the compatibility of a bed guard with your type of bed before ordering. 

If you have a deeper mattress, an Extra Tall Bed Rail will be the best option.  The additional height of an extra tall bed rail ensures the bed rail covers a greater height above the mattress.  A minimum of 16cm above the mattress is required for your child’s safety.  It is further advised, for safety reasons that a gap of 25cm is left at either end of the bed rail. 

HOW MUCH IS A BED RAIL? 

Bed guards vary in price and generally range between £20 through to £80.  Wooden bed guards tend to be a higher price than mesh bed guards and can cost between £28 up to £79.  Mesh bed rails start at a slightly lower price of £22 up to £56.  Inflatable bed guards are a great solution to keeping children safely sleeping during holidays and nights away from home and can cost between £21 and £35. 

WHICH IS THE BEST BED RAIL? 

There is no ‘best bed guard’, however some bed rails are more compatible with different styles of beds than others.  For toddler beds and cot beds, make sure you purchase a smaller, lightweight bed rail.  For double beds and king size beds, look for an extra tall and extra wide bed rail.  

Best bed guards for double beds:

The Safetots Extra Tall Extra Wide Mesh Bed Rail of the Safetots Extra Wide Wooden Bed Rail would be most suited for use on a double bed.  Designed with additional height and length to ensure children are safe in adult beds. 

Best bed guards for cot beds: 

There are several bed guards that will work with a cot bed, however, the depth of the mattress is key to ensuring there is enough weight to hold the cot bed rail in place safely.  Ensure you have a good mattress that will hold the bed rail in place.  Smaller bed rails such as the Safetots Narrow Mesh is a  small, light-weight bed rail that would be suitable.  The Safetots Narrow Mesh Bed Rail is available in a range of colours, WhiteNatural and Grey to match home interiors and toddler bedrooms.  The Safetots Narrow Wooden Bed Rail would also be suitable for a cot bed and is a heavier option and compatible with a more substantial mattress. 

Best bed guards for toddler beds & single beds: 

Many bed guards are compatible with toddler beds and single beds.  Before ordering a bed rail it’s important to ensure the mattress will retain the weight of the bed rail.  Often toddler beds have a smaller, light weight mattress and not all bed rails will be suitable.  For toddler beds with a smaller mattress consider Safetots Standard Mesh Bed Rail, they are light weight and smaller in size. Alternatively, you could opt for the Safetots Standard Wooden Bed Rail, again smaller in size but heavier than mesh.  For single beds with a standard mattress most mesh bed rails and wooden bed rails will be compatible. 

Bed guards for a wooden bed with slatted base and sunken mattress: 

Safetots Mesh Bed Rails are suitable for a bed with a mattress sunken in to the frame and for beds with a wooden slatted base.  Safetots Wooden Bed Rails are suitable for wooden beds with a slatted base and also beds with a sunken mattress.  If you have a sunken mattress, it’s important to choose a bed rail without bulky hinges which may prevent the bed rail from fitting between the mattress and the bed frame. 

DO BED RAILS WORK ON SLATTED BEDS? 

Yes! Most mesh bed rails and wooden bed rails are compatible with slatted beds.  Bed rails have a large base frame that simply slips beneath the mattress and the weight of the mattress holds the frame in place.  Some toddler bed guards have additional straps that slide under the mattress to secure the bed rail further.  It’s important to install the base of the bed rail along the wooden slats and not in the gaps, to ensure the bed rail is safe for use.  Always test the bed rail for stability before allowing your child to sleep alongside it. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BED RAILS? 

Bed rails can be wooden, mesh or inflatable available in a range of sizes to suit different beds and a range of colours to match home interiors.  Take a look at our points below for an insight each of the different types of bed rails to help you choose the best bed rail for your child. 

WOODEN BED RAILS 

Wooden bed rails provide a contemporary look and feel in any home.  They come in a range of great colours in blue, grey, pink, white and natural wood enabling you to match home interiors.    

1. Wooden bed rails for toddlers provide the most solid and sturdy structure for keeping children safe whilst they sleep. 

2. Simple to install and there is no lasting damage to your bed once installed. 

3. Compatible with divan beds and slatted beds. 

4. Wooden bed rails do not fold down, there is no rotation. 

5. Wooden bed rails are less suited for travelling, they are heavier than mesh bed rails and not the best option for taking with you on holiday. 

6. Wooden bed rails tend to me more expensive than mesh bed rails or inflatable bed rails. 

MESH BED RAILS 

Mesh bed rails are light weight and suitable for home or travel and some come complete with their own travel bag.  Mesh bed rails are made from a metal, outer frame encased with a strong, breathable mesh.  

1. Lightweight and versatile, mesh bedrails are easy to move between rooms or easy to transport for holidays or stop overs with the grandparents. 

2. Although unable to fold down fully, mesh bed rails fold down to an angle of 90 degrees enabling you to access the bed with ease. 

3. Compatible with divan beds and slatted beds. 

INFLATABLE BED RAILS 

Inflatable bed rails are ideal for holidays, for packing with ease in the car or for popping on a plane.  Lightweight and space saving, they are the best bed rail for travelling.  

1. Inflatable bed rails are simple to fit and easy to transport. 

2. Versatile, can be used in the home or away. 

3. Slim designs that once inflated simply fits under the bedsheet. 

4. Comes complete with a carry bag for ease of transportation. 

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A BED RAIL 

There are several things to consider when choosing a toddler bed rail: 

1. The size of your mattress.  Measure the depth of your mattress and ensure the toddler bed rail will reach a minimum of 16cm above the mattress.  

2. Mattress weight: if you have a particularly light weight, slim mattress on your childs bed, the weight of the mattress may not retain the weight of the bed rail.  Check you have a substantial mattress that will hold a bed rail in place safely and securely. 

3. Measure the length of your child’s bed and make sure you can achieve a 25cm gap at either end of the bed rail once installed.  Both mesh and wooden bed rails are available in a range of different lengths and heights. 

4. Is the bed rail compatible with your style of bed? Not all bed rails are compatible with sunken beds for example. 

5. Will you be needing to take the bed rail to the grandparents? If YES you may want to consider a mesh bed rail as apose to a wooden bed rail as they are easier to transport. 

6. Is your toddler bed in the middle of the room? If YES you may need to invest in two bed rails. 

7. Do you need the bed rail to fold down? If YES you may need to opt for a mesh bed rail that rotates at a 90 degree angle as wooden bed guards do not rotate. 

WHERE CAN I BUY BED RAILS? 

Bed rails can be purchased from most Child Safety Retailers.  At Safetots.co.uk we stock a wide range of mesh bed rails, wooden bed rails and inflatable bed rails suitable for children age 18 months to 5 years.  Take a look at our Safetots Bed Rail Finder to narrow down your search. 

BENEFITS OF USING A TODDLER BED RAIL? 

A toddler bed rail is the ultimate baby safety item for making the progression from a cot to a bed effortless.  Installing a toddler bed rail prevents your child from falling out of bed as they make the transition from a cot to a bed, providing a temporary solution to keeping children safe whilst they sleep during their younger years.  A bed rail creates the security of a cot yet teaches first steps of independence, enabling toddlers to climb in and out of bed independantly whilst sleeping safely in a grown up bed. Toddler bed guards are simple to install and remove and there is no lasting damage to furniture.  They can be used for a short time or for as many years as required depending on the development stage of your child.  Should your child’s bed be positioned in the centre of a room, a bed rail can be used at either side of a bed. 

CAN I INSTALL A BED RAIL AT THE FOOT OF THE BED? 

No! It is not advised that you install a bed rail to the foot or head of the bed.  Bed guards should be installed across the sides of a bed only.   

INSTALLING YOUR BED RAIL 

Bed guards are ideal temporary solutions to keeping your child safe whilst they sleep. Installing a bed rail provides no lasting damage to beds or other furniture as no drilling or screwing is necessary. A bed rail folds out to a 90 degree angle and the base frame simply slides beneath the mattress and the weight of the mattress ensures the bed rail is kept securely in place.  Some bed rails have additional straps which slip beneath the mattress for further security.  It is important upon installing a bed rail that you check the stability before allowing you child to sleep alongside it. 

If you would like further advice on selecting the most suitable bed rail, please feel free to Contact Us today.