When your child is no longer so small that they sleep in a carrycot or crib, it's time to get a proper junior bed, and for this you also need a bed rail so the child doesn't risk rolling out and hurting themselves.
What is a bed rail?
A bed rail is a type of "fence" that you set up on the edge of the bed as protection. This means that it acts as a barrier so the child cannot roll out when lying in bed. Children can be incredibly restless when they are sleeping, and therefore you can never know if they suddenly have moved beyond the edge.
Is it necessary?
In my opinion, a bed rail is necessary when your child starts sleeping in a bed – at least if the beds are not at the same level as the floor, which is rarely the case. The reason I argue for a bed rail is that it protects the child from unnecessary scrapes that can occur from a potential fall out of bed. Besides scrapes, the child can also become incredibly startled and may not want to sleep in the bed afterwards. Even if the child's bed is not particularly high, it is still an advantage to have a bed rail because it can provide both you and the child with peace of mind and security that nothing can happen during the night while you sleep. But whether one thinks it is unnecessary is an individual question, as parents are different – so nothing is more right than another.
Models
If you are interested in a bed rail, there are different models available, and you can even find some bed rails that are easy to pack up and transport if you need to sleep somewhere other than at home.
Babydan has a beautiful wooden bed rail that almost blends in with the bed. This also means that it won't look so unnatural when you put the bed rail on, which might scare your child if they are a little older.
