convertible crib issue

So I posted the other day about switching my girls to their toddler beds. They each have drop-side cribs that convert to a toddler bed and a full-size headboard. The problem is that neither crib has a rail on the side once it's a toddler bed. I have no idea why they did not come with this, but I checked the instructions and it just doesn't exist. So, the first night, Hailey fell out and woke up. Last night, Hannah fell out and woke up. They love the idea of having big girl beds and are staying in them when I put them to bed, so I don't want to put the crib side back on. However, I also do not want them falling out every night. I checked online and they do make safety rails for convertible cribs but they are anywhere from $30-$80 each. I really don't want to spend $30 each on these when they won't use them too long.

So here are the options I'm weighing... what do you guys think?

Option one: Give in and buy the rails. Rails

Option two: Take the cribs out and let them sleep on mattresses on the floor.

Option three: Go ahead and get twin beds with a safety rail. We have an uncle who said he had matching twin beds we can have. We'll have to get box springs and mattresses. Less Expensive Rails(yes, more money but will be used longer)

Thanks for any help/insight!

 

I think any one of those options is good. My DD sleeps in a crib that converts to a toddler bed and I know when I made the initial transition (it did have rails on the front on both sides but not the middle) we put heavy blankets down on the floor and often found her sleeping on the floor. Eventually, she did start staying in bed and does fine with it. I think I would try mattresses on the floor first, start with the least expensive option and see how it goes. Good luck!

 

We had trouble when we converted DS's crib to a bed. (DD is still happy in her crib.) We'd find him sleeping anywhere but there, he fell out a couple times, and bedtime was getting difficult - he just didn't want to be there. Eventually, we wound up buying a full mattress (which we were planning to get for him anyway in the long run) and putting that on the floor. He LOVES it! Bedtime (and quiet time) has gotten SO easy! So anyway, mattress on floor has been a great solution for us.

 

Thanks Nancy. I was thinking the same thing about trying that first. I just don't know if it would upset them to see their beds gone, lol. On the other hand, they are likely to think it's fun.

I was looking at reviews of some of the regular bed rails and saw where people had used them on toddler beds. However, I have heard that you are not supposed to for safety reasons...

 

Our cribs converted to toddler beds with the little rail, but within 6 months we moved them to full size beds. We started DS with the mattress on the floor. He rolled all over the bed, but never fell off. Even now with the mattress on the bedframe and boxspring, he has never fallen out. We put blankets and pillows down on the floor just in case he does. DD fell out of her full size bed the first night. After that, we line the side of the bed that is not against the wall with pillows. She will roll right up to those pillows, but not over them. She has only fallen out that one time.

I would wait a few days to see if they continue falling out. If they do, I'd go to the mattress on the floor as the first option because it's cheapest and easiest.

 

How long have they been in the beds? We had night time falling for about two weeks, then they realized where they needed to sleep in order to not fall out of the bed.

 

i had this exact same problem when we took the one side off the cribs so that they are toddler beds. i didn't want to spend the $80 for the railing you are talking about and the standard side rails that work with beds don't work on the toddler beds because there isn't a box spring. they just aren't stable. i ended up getting these:

http://www.gobedbug.com/

they go under the sheets and work great! i figured i could still use them when we put them in regular beds and they would be good to travel with, too.

 

That's what I was wondering. If it's been less than a week (it sounds from your post as though it's only been a couple of nights) I would wait it out, you might well find that they don't fall again.
All of my twins fell out a couple of times each and then were fine. Alyssa and Bryony were in full sized beds so we put the mattresses from their cribs on the floor to give them a soft landing. Naomi and Luke had toddler beds so they were close enough to the floor that falling didn't hurt, Naomi fell out and didn't even wake up, but we did put a cushion on the floor by their heads.
Seeing as you don't have the crib mattresses spare I like the idea of putting a blanket or two next to their beds, that would cushion it a bit if they do fall again.

 

We used a rail for 2 years (removable first steps ones) and they were great!

Just now we switched to twin sized beds w/o rails and after a few 'fall outs' so far so good.

You could put some loose blankets on the floor for a bit until they got used to it.

 

thanks for all the replies ladies! Yes, you guys are right, it's only been a few nights and I'm happy to report that nobody fell out last night so we all got to sleep for a whole night. I'm going to hold out and see how things go before dismantling the cribs!

 

I would think you could accomplish the same thing with rolled up blankets or towels or even a pool noodle.

 

We went from cribs to twin beds without any rails. They each fell out 2 times the first night, and never did again. Give them time, you will find that they will most likely not fall out again.