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A monumental time in the life of any toddler is moving from the crib or child's bed to a real 'grown up' bed. Consider choosing a loft bed for your growing youngster, especially if the room he or she occupies is small for much else than a bed or shared with a sibling. However, before you move your child to any bed other than a crib, ensure he or she is at least two years of age and no less than 35 inches tall. If your child is a late bloomer or showing no interest in moving up to a larger bed, allow him or her a certain amount of leeway in regards to switching to a 'big boy' or 'big girl' bed.

Many parents choose to invest in a loft bed for their child because another child has arrived, is on the way, or currently occupies the house. A loft is a great way to give each child his or her space without having to sacrifice floor space for child's play. Also, a loft bed is a great way to entice your son or daughter to leave your bed in exchange for something a great deal cooler in their eyes.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing a loft bed for a young child is to avoid the ceiling scraping beds and instead choose lofts that are no taller than four feet. This is especially true if you are dealing with a youngster who may have a slight fear of heights, since everything is taller to a child. A four foot loft still allows a great amount of room underneath the bed and can be arranged to house a fantastic fort, tent, or enclosed space that is only for the child. Some children's furniture manufacturers are even including specialized loft beds into their furniture designs that are sure to tickle your child's imagination.

Another critical aspect to keep in mind is the safety of the loft. Ensure the guard rails are stable and properly placed on the bed. Furthermore, ensure both sides of the bed come equipped with guard rails. Quite often, children can become trapped or even fall out of the bed if two guard rails are not present on the bed. Also, check out the ladder to make sure your child will be safe while entering and exiting his or her bed. Furthermore, ensure the ladder is correctly installed on the bed to prevent any accidents or injuries due to improper equipment.

Once your child has made the move into a loft bed, make time to speak with your son or daughter regarding safety. Set rules for entering and exiting the bed and ensure your children will not play or roughhouse, which can call potentially cause injury.