The Pros and Cons of a Montessori Floor Bed

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A Montessori Floor Bed is a bed placed on the floor instead of elevated off the ground. There are pros and cons to using this type of bed, which will be explored in this article.

If you’re a parent of an infant or toddler, you’ve undoubtedly spent plenty of time researching sleep concerns. How to get your baby to sleep, how to manage naps, and of course, where they should sleep! You may have come across the option of Montessori floor beds while conducting your research and wondered if they might be suitable for your family.

Floor beds, on the other hand, are not a recent invention. They’ve been in use worldwide and throughout history for ages, but they’re becoming increasingly popular in the United States as more parents choose to educate their kids at home using Montessori techniques.

Is a Montessori Floor Bed The Right Choice For Me?

Consider your child’s current sleeping habits when selecting whether or not a floor bed will be appropriate for your family. Some families begin utilizing a floor bed when their youngster enters their room for sleep. In this scenario, it’s critical to adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep standards.

Although it is more typical in Montessori schools to begin using a floor bed in infancy, other households elect to do so once their crib no longer serves its purpose. If you decide to move from a crib to a floor bed, keep in mind that there will be an adjustment period for everyone (yes, parents, you too!).

Maintaining the same sleep environment and routine as before while sleeping in a crib can assist the transition. Some parents have also discovered that beginning with naps is a less intimidating option. If your kid has frequent awakenings and difficulty sleeping, it’s unlikely that switching to a floor bed will assist. Starting with a solid sleep regimen and foundation will make the transition smoother for everyone.

Another Interesting Read: How Push Toys For Toddlers Help Them Learn To Walk

How do I turn my child’s bedroom and bed into a place they’ll want to sleep in?

It’s based on your kid’s age. You want to have the room ready for your child’s demands at their developmental stage, just like you would with any other area of your house that you’re using the Montessori method with. If you use a floor bed before your youngster is mobile, it’s a good idea to get down and view what they’ll see from their vantage point through the slats. A floor bed allows a pre-crawling infant to look at the world visually without having to peer through crib slats, but make careful not to clutter or overstimulate the area.

It’s also critical to secure all furnishings to the walls and conceal any electrical cables before your kid can walk. If you’re creating a floor bed for a toddler, the room will likely have to be altered from standard nursery standards. Remember that once you’ve closed the door and said good night, everything in the room is “fair game” for us—it’s better to start with as little as possible and gradually add more back if necessary.

At first, a tiny bookshelf with a few selections and 2-3 toys on it is sufficient. Ensuring the space is baby-proofed above all else is critical for those inquisitive toddlers.

How do I get my kid or baby to stay in bed when they refuse to sleep? Will they roll out if I let them out?

When a baby first begins using their floor bed, they might roll around several times. The presence of the bed on a plush carpet helps with this, but it’s also crucial to keep in mind that they’re right near the ground for this reason. After rolling out a few times, they’ll recognize where the bed’s edge is and what it feels like. This is cause and effect; babies will be learning this skill for many months to come. If your baby continues to roll out or gives you concern, placing a pool noodle beneath the sheet around the edges may assist them in determining where they are.

It’s difficult for a kid who can crawl or walk out of bed to comprehend why they would want to stay in bed. And the quick answer is that they may not, or at least not initially. Allowing a youngster freedom of movement and choice around sleep means they may play with the few toys available until they’re weary, then fall asleep on the floor or go back to their bed to snooze.

When they are ready to sleep, they will learn to listen to their bodies and realize that the floor bed is where they may relax when they are done. The parents’ trust and flexibility must be taken into account when using a floor bed, but it will aid in the formation of a child’s independence and maturity.

Montessori Floor Bed Pros

Independence

I realize this should go without saying, but children who sleep in floor beds acquire a great deal of freedom. They have free reign to establish their routine, which can look ludicrous at times.

Simple Installation

Make a floor bed with two easy methods:

1.) A crib mattress is a must-have.

2.) Put it on the floor. That’s all there is to it! There’s no need to fiddle with making a complicated crib when you have something so simple as this!

Easy Night Feeding

All of this applies to breast and bottle feeding. I exclusively nursed Monkey with a bottle, whereas Livy was bottle-fed. She’s now sleeping through the night, but she still has one dream feed every three hours or so. The floor bed is great since all I have to do is lie down beside her, and we’re off. Even if you’re bottle-feeding, you may keep all of your supplies on a shelf out of reach from little hands. I’m much more refreshed than when I was up multiple times in the morning, getting them up, choosing a nice location, and then feeding them.

Less Clutter

If your child has a floor bed, you must take several extra precautions to guarantee that their room is a safe place. This means that many of their toys are forbidden. This might be beneficial because it frees up space and reduces distractions, which helps your youngster sleep at night more often.

Montessori Floor Bed Cons

Falling

You may use a folded towel to conceal the crib sheet for a cost-effective solution.

It’s not a Favorite Pastime For Your Child.

While the floor bed is ideal for your Montessori environment, some children may not enjoy it. If that’s the case, a floor bed isn’t required in your home. You don’t want to push it since it will make things worse for you. This is why early introductions are beneficial in the long run. They won’t object if they don’t understand any difference.

The Baby Keeps Getting Up

It does happen; it will happen. You’ll hear your baby laughing in the middle of the night when he should be sleeping. This is where preparing their environment ahead of time is beneficial. If you want a few “toys” in their room, keep them to a minimum and ensure they’re basic. A few books, a teddy bear, and so on might be enough to keep her entertained for quite some time. After she’s played with all of her toys at night, waking up at night to play will lose its appeal.

Final Words – Montessori Floor Bed

A Montessori floor bed can have many benefits for your child, including increased independence, simplicity, and less clutter. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider before making the switch, such as the risk of falling and a lack of toys available to play with. Ultimately, it is up to you and your child whether or not a Montessori floor bed is the right choice for your home.