Dr. Maria Montessori developed a unique approach to child education over 100 years ago. Maria Montessori discovered that children actively shape themselves based on their interactions with the environment, recognizing that children can think for themselves and make their own choices.
“Adults move because their will directs them. The small child is urged by nature.” —Maria Montessori (The 1946 London Lectures.)
The Benefits of a Montessori Floor Bed
As a first-time mom to a lovely boy, I admit that I’ve made more mistakes than I can count, but making the leap to a Montessori floor bed is not one of them!
If you’re on the fence about ditching the baby crib, you got to read this!!
Here are three key ways a Montessori floor bed supports child development:
1. Enhances Your Child’s Muscle Development
In Montessori, the goal is to create a sleep environment where toddlers can naturally enter and exit on their own. This is achieved by using low railings and a mattress low to the ground, strengthening their leg and core muscles progressively.
2. Promotes Healthy Brain Development
The freedom to move is essential for healthy brain development in toddlers. As a child moves or looks at their surroundings, the brain processes the information to help organize and strengthen neural connections. If you restrict their movement, you disrupt the formation of cerebellum synapses.
3. Supports Self-Discipline Through Sleep Independence
A floor bed stimulates self-regulation by giving children control over their sleep environment and routines. You can think of it similarly to our adult lives. Just as we build confidence and independence through daily responsibilities like going to work and managing our busy schedules, children develop a sense of responsibility through navigating their own sleep space.
What Age Is Best for a Montessori ‘Big Kid’ Floor Bed?
Pediatricians recommend transitioning from a crib to a floor bed at around age 3. By this age, children generally develop the understanding and ability to stay within the boundaries of a floor bed, making it a more suitable time for the switch.
However, it’s not to say that some children may need to transition sooner. If your child is between 34 and 36 inches tall, or if the height of the crib rail is less than three-quarters of their height, it’s a clear sign that they’re ready for a floor bed. At this stage, your little one might be figuring out how to climb out of the crib independently, signaling that it’s time to make the switch!
Can You Transition an Infant from a Crib to a Montessori Floor Bed?
The answer is, Yes! You can definitely transition an infant to a Montessori floor bed and there’s no need to wait until your child is the age of 3. A great way to ease into it is by reconfiguring the crib to create a more open space, which we’ll dive into in more detail.
Tips for a Smooth Transition from Crib-to-Floor Bed for Toddlers and Infants
The day is here! Your little one has officially received an eviction notice. It’s time to say goodbye to the crib and move on to a new residence.
The day I switched my baby from a crib to a Montessori floor bed was pretty daunting. I found myself wondering, “How will this affect his nighttime routine? Will he wake up and crawl through the hallways? Is he too little for this?”
All these questions raced through my mind before I made the leap. Let me tell you, the first few nights felt like I was wrestling a pack of angry minions—hair was getting pulled, jewelry was ripped off, and I struggled to find my footing. But eventually, I felt like I was finally reaching the peak of the mountain.
3-weeks later, I had an AHA! moment—my son was finally enjoying a full night’s sleep and embracing the freedom of crawling to his floor bed on his own.
Here are some tips that you might find helpful.
1. Reconfigure the Crib Setup
A clever way to ease the transition from crib to floor bed is to gradually introduce more freedom by modifying the crib. If your crib has a metal stabilizer, you can detach one of the drop sides from the tracks to create an open side. Be sure to lower the mattress to its lowest position for added safety.
(Photo Courtesy of Facebook)
Try to carve out 1-2 hours at night for some alone time, with your baby starting their first stretch of sleep on the floor bed. This way, they’ll gradually get used to staying there longer. At first, they might only stay for 60 minutes to a couple of hours, but with a little patience over a few days or weeks, that will increase.
Don’t forget to shower them with hugs, cuddles, and kisses during this time to help them feel secure. Soon enough, you’ll love that you won’t have to deal with crib transfers anymore!
2. Introduce a Montessori Floor Mattress
For cribs that can’t be reconfigured, laying down a floor mattress is a fantastic alternative for transitioning infants or toddlers to floor sleeping. I absolutely enjoyed using this tri-fold memory foam 4″ mattress, as it’s incredibly comfortable and easy to fold and store away.
(Photo courtesy of Amazon)
Start by placing down a bed of your choice and set up a cozy, inviting space with soft bedding, favorite blankets, and stuffed animals to make your toddler’s new sleeping arrangement feel special. Introduce the mattress gradually by allowing them to nap during the day, which helps them become accustomed to the new setup without the added pressure of night time. Tip: If you choose to place a mattress directly on the floor, be sure to flip it regularly to prevent mold.
Safety Precautions for Montessori Floor Beds
There are definitely pros and cons to floor beds, but I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. One major downside is that you’ll need to baby-proof the entire room where your infant or toddler will be sleeping. Your little one should be able to move in and out of their floor bed easily, without any worries about hazards.
Here are some useful guidelines for a baby-proof room:
👶Secure furniture to walls, covering electrical outlets. 👶Use protective outlet covers on any outlets that are in use 👶Place safety locks on all windows. 👶Use a mattress size that offers the right amount of space. 👶Ensure that the mattress fits snugly within the bed frame. 👶Look out for sharp edges on the floor bed, or get bumper guards for the bed rails. 👶Clear away any clutter in the space. 👶Remove rocking chairs to avoid little fingers getting stuck.
The Best Montessori Floor Beds
Here are the best Montessori floor beds for toddlers and infants, loved and recommended by parents!
1. This delightful Montessori Bed by ROOMTECprovides the perfect balance of security and freedom for your child. Boasting high rails and a kid-friendly door that’s easy to use, the bedframe offers a snug, enclosed feeling, making it a perfect choice for transitioning from crib to bed.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re all about the Montessori methodologies in our home, and a floor bed is central to the idea of developing independent bedtime. The ROOMTEC toddler floor bed is solid pine, simple, and well-made. It was easy to assemble and resulted in a sturdy frame. The door is easy for kids to operate and includes latches that Mom and Dad can secure. This is one of the BEST Montessori floor beds on Amazon.
2. With a slightly lower railing than the previous model, this Montessori Floor Bed creates a more open and airy feel for your child. It nurtures a sense of freedom while still providing a secure and cozy environment for drifting off to dreamland.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My 1 year old absolutely hated her crib and refused to sleep in it, when I changed her to this Montessori style floor bed she’s been much happier. She will sleep through the night in it and I love the added comfort knowing she won’t roll off the bed. This was an excellent option for us and is pretty good quality considering the price. Perfect for the independent toddler.
3.Let your child’s imagination run wild with this Creative Playhouse Floor Bed by Harper & Bright Designs. Adorn it with a canopy or curtains for the ultimate heavenly sanctuary, that will surely keep your child in wonderland.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing!! We got this for my daughter and it was so easy to assemble, it’s beautiful, and it feels so sturdy and such good quality. My daughter loves it, we love it. Overall it’s so amazing & one of the best Montessori floor beds on the market.
4.Create a cozy, fun-filled tent haven with this Triangle Structure Montessori Floor Bed. It’s an affordable choice that offers your child a safe little retreat, perfect for imaginative play and restful nights!
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Such a cute bed! Good quality, simple enough to put together and feels pretty sturdy. There are no slats to keep your mattress off the floor so if you live in a humid spot or anything like that, you’ll have to be careful with airing out the mattress or put something underneath. But otherwise super cute!
5. Creating the perfect Montessori oasis doesn’t have to break the bank. This Metal House Bed Frame offers both style and durability at an unbeatable price. Add some string lights and canopy curtains to the “roof” for a dreamy retreat without spending a fortune.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My son loves this bed! It’s very sturdy and was very easy to put together, I put it together in less than an hour. He loves playing with his toys in the bed and sleeping. I used a 8 inch twin mattress and it’s perfect so he has room to not roll out of the bed. The instructions are just pictures but it was very easy to assemble.
6. Not ready to invest in a bed? No worries! Grab this highly rated futon mattress. Just add some cozy bedding and your toddler’s favorite stuffed animals to create a special space for them.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love this purchase because I’ve been wanting this mattress so badly since my son would need it. I’m happy that it comes with a zipper sheet and a bag for storage.
7. A simple solution for using a mattress on the floor without the worry of mold is this natural wood trundle.This fantastic trundle is perfect for use as a Montessori floor bed.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The entire trundle including slats are made of 100% natural hard wood and the quality is impressive. Assembly was a breeze with the easy to follow, minimal, instructions. This trundle is perfect for use as a Montessori floor bed model.
8. Let your child reign over their own casita with this charming house-shaped bed frame. They’ll feel like the prince or princess of their very own haven and will never want to leave.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We love this in my little one’s room! It’s so cute and simple and adds so much to her room. Cute, solid and most of all, does not squeak. This is a great product and highly recommend for Montessori inspired bedrooms.
9. Last but not least, is this charming twin size floor bed as a great option for the Montessori approach. Keeping things simple and in style without being overly elaborate.
Satisfied Customer Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We are obsessed with this bed. Firstly, a perfect solution to the Montessori practice of floor beds, while still maintaining a lovely design element to this that will attract kids for independent sleeping. The material is well built and is a high quality product. One of the best Montessori floor beds in my opinion.
Create a baby-proof Montessori Room 🌈
Once you’ve picked the perfect Montessori floor bed for your little one, the next step is to get the room ready by making it completely baby-proof! Below, you’ll find a free baby-proof checklist to help you get started.
Download our free guide, which includes a handy-dandy baby-proofing checklist!
Evelyn is a dedicated working mom and blogger who has spent the last decade navigating the world of parenting and entrepreneurship. As a proud momma to a wonderful boy, she has gained invaluable insights into effective parenting practices, particularly through the Montessori method, which she passionately shares with other parents online. Evelyn defies the notion that having children limits your potential, proving that it’s possible to achieve greatness while raising a family.
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