Which crib for which age? The safe guide
Which bed is right for which age? The short answer: The birthday alone is not the deciding factor. Body height, motor development, nightly behavior, and the manufacturer’s guidelines are at least just as important. This guide takes you from bedside cribs and cots to floor beds and house beds, all the way to loft beds and youth beds.
A Quick Guide
- 0 to approx. 6 months: Bedside crib – only as long as height, weight, and mobility are within the manufacturer’s limits.
- From birth to toddlerhood: Cot or crib – usable for longer with many models and partly convertible.
- Often from approx. 18 months to 3 years: low floor bed, house bed, or toddler bed – once the child can safely get in and out on their own.
- From approx. 3 years: low toddler bed with appropriate fall protection; 90 × 200 cm can be chosen directly for long-term use.
- From at least 6 years: Loft bed or the upper bunk of a bunk bed.
- From school age to teenager: 90 × 200 cm is the common, durable standard size; more width is a question of comfort.
Important: These ages are general guidelines. Always follow the assembly, mattress, and age specifications of the specific bed.
Which child's bed for which age? The overview
| Phase | Suitable bed type | What matters | Typical size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborns | Bedside crib or cot | Proximity, firm level mattress, clear sleeping surface | e.g., 40/50 × 90 cm or 60 × 120 cm |
| Baby | Cot or crib | Lower the bed base in time, no climbing aids in the bed | 60 × 120 or 70 × 140 cm |
| Toddler | Convertible bed, low toddler or floor bed | Safe independent entry and exit, low fall height | 70 × 140 to 90 × 200 cm |
| Preschooler | Low toddler or house bed | Fall protection suitable for mattress height | 90 × 200 cm |
| From approx. 6 years | Single bed, possibly loft bed | Loft bed only when climbing safely and per manufacturer approval | 90 × 200 cm |
| Teenager | Youth or comfort bed | Consider body height, sleeping habits, and room space | 90 × 200 to 140 × 200 cm |
1. Bedside crib: Closeness in the first few months
A bedside crib creates a separate sleeping space right next to the parents' bed. This is especially practical in the first few months because the baby remains quickly reachable. A fixed age limit is not the deciding factor: as soon as the child pulls themselves up, sits up independently, becomes too big or too heavy, or reaches another limit defined in the manual, the model must no longer be used in its current function.
The sleeping surface should be firm, level, and appropriately filled. For babies, the rule is: as little as possible in the bed. A sleeping bag is usually a better choice than a loose duvet; pillows, bumpers, furs, and soft linings do not belong in a baby's sleeping area.
2. Cot or crib: flexible from birth
A classic cot with 60 × 120 cm or 70 × 140 cm can be used from birth. Height-adjustable bed bases save the parents' back in the beginning. As soon as the baby can pull themselves up, the sleeping surface must be lowered. Convertible models can be used later with low side panels.
Transitioning out of the closed cot becomes important at the latest when a child tries to climb over the bars. At that point, a low, freely accessible sleeping space can be safer than the supposedly protective high sides.
3. Floor bed or house bed: when is the right time?
A low floor or house bed can support independent entry and exit. The transition often takes place between about 18 months and 3 years—but this is not a hard-and-fast rule. The child should be able to move safely around the room, and the entire nursery must be childproofed at night because they can leave the bed on their own.
A house frame is primarily a design element. For safety, a low entry height, stability, sufficient air circulation under the mattress, and fall protection suited to the mattress thickness are what count. Cords, fairy lights, or loose fabrics should not be attached to the bed without careful consideration.
4. Toddler bed with fall protection: transition without unnecessary height
For many children, a low toddler bed is the calmest intermediate step. Fall protection can help at the start, but it must fit the bed and the mattress. A mattress that is too thick can reduce the effective height of the protection. Therefore, never decide based on a product photo alone, but check the permissible mattress height.
5. Loft bed: not before six years
An elevated sleeping surface is not recommended for children under six years of age. Only from about the age of six are children generally better able to assess risks, the nightly descent, and their own movements. Even then, the manufacturer's approval, a standard-compliant side guard, a secure ladder, wall anchoring, and the maximum permissible mattress height are crucial.
By the way, a lower house bed is not a loft bed: when classifying, the height of the sleeping surface counts, not the roof shape.
6. Youth bed: when is more width worth it?
A 90 × 200 cm bed can accompany a child for many years into their youth. A width of 120 or 140 cm is not an age-related necessity, but rather more comfort—useful for taller teenagers, restless sleepers, or if the bed also serves as a place for reading and retreating. Above all, check room size, load capacity, and the appropriate mattress.
Our currently available beds for the various phases
The following models were active and available in the Schmatzepuffer shop when this guide was created on September 23, 2026. You can see the current stock directly on the product page.
7 points that are more important than a rigid age recommendation
- Manufacturer approval: Age, weight, mobility, and mattress height from the manual take precedence.
- Independent climbing: Anyone climbing out of the cot usually needs a lower solution.
- Fall height: The younger the child, the more sensible a ground-level sleeping surface is.
- Mattress fit: No problematic gaps should be allowed to form between the mattress and the frame.
- Air circulation: Even a floor bed needs a design that prevents moisture under the mattress.
- Childproof room: With freely accessible beds, furniture must be secured, outlets covered, and hazards removed.
- Development instead of comparison: An early bed change is not a developmental advantage.
Frequently asked questions about the right children's bed
Which bed is suitable for a newborn?
A suitable bedside crib, cradle, or standard-compliant cot can be appropriate. Important factors are a firm, level mattress, sleeping on the back, and a clear sleeping surface without pillows, bumpers, or loose soft objects.
When is a child too big for the bedside crib?
As soon as a manufacturer's limit is reached—for example, body height, weight, or a new motor skill such as sitting up or pulling up. The operating manual is more binding than a general age estimate.
From what age can a child sleep in a floor bed?
Many families switch between about 18 months and 3 years. It is crucial that the child can safely get in and out and that the entire room is secured for unsupervised movement at night.
Is a house bed automatically a Montessori bed?
No. A house shape alone does not make a Montessori-oriented floor bed. What matters is the low, independently accessible sleeping surface and an environment that enables the child's safe independence.
At what age does a loft bed make sense?
From about six years of age at the earliest. Younger children should not sleep on an elevated surface. Even from age six, manufacturer specifications and individual maturity remain decisive.
Which bed size lasts the longest?
90 × 200 cm can be used by many children from toddler age well into their teenage years. Whether a direct switch makes sense depends on entry height, protection, room space, and sleeping behavior.
Conclusion: The best children's bed fits the child—not just the number
For babies, a safe, clear sleeping surface and compliance with all manufacturer limits are the priority. Toddlers often benefit from low beds and independent entry and exit. A loft bed, on the other hand, is only an option from about six years of age. Those who consider development, fall height, mattress fit, and room safety together will make the better and usually longer-lasting decision.
Professional sources & further information
Status: September 23, 2026. This guide does not replace individual medical advice or the safety and assembly instructions of the respective manufacturer.
