Hannah is almost 2-1/2 years old now. She is still sleeping in her crib. But she is almost to the point where she has outgrown it, and she crashes into the sides when she moves around at night (we have bumpers around it).
It is time to start researching options as to what is available for that next step, “the big girl bed.”
Because of Hannah’s hypotonia (lack of muscle strength) and her developmental age (12 months), a regular twin bed just would not work. A mattress on the floor would not work either because if she rolled off it, she would not be able to get back on (nor would she think about getting back on it to go back to sleep). Railings would not work because she could easily fall over the normal size railing when she goes up on her knees like she does her crib (her crib is still on the middle level).
We need something more secure for her.
This is their medium. They also have one that is double-rail high, which definitely would keep her safe!
I found these SleepSafe beds online. They would work, but part of me thinks this is just too much overkill in terms of what we need. But the other part thinks, “Wow, she definitely could not fall out of this bed!” I also like the fact that the SleepSafe beds come with adjustable mattresses so we could easily lift her head at whatever angle we need to if we have to.
I just don’t know what would be the best thing to do. Hannah probably has another good 6 months in this crib until it is just way too small for her. Also, would our insurance or Medicaid (which we hope to get in the next 4 weeks or so) cover something like this?
The main goal is to keep Hannah safe at night. I need to find out what other options we have. Perhaps I will ask Dr. Carrie (Hannah’s new pediatrician) what she recommends. There has got to be something, you know? We can’t be the first family who has come across this situation.
Medicaid should cover it. We had to have an OT come out and evaluate what Cameron needed. He got a regular hospital bed with an oscillating mattress. I wanted a sleep safe bed but he doesn’t move around enough for insurance to cover that. One of my friends had a sleep safe bed for her daughter and they loved it.
Buy a normal one and find a carpender to fix the sides
We have a regular mattress and instead of being on a foundation, its on a bunky board. Its maybe 6 inches off the ground. V can get in and out of it if she chooses. She does not fall out. I used a garden gate to make a headboard. It has worked perfect for us. It also gives her some independence as she can get out and crawl over to her book shelves or toys.
That reminds me, I have a great lego chair H might like. Get healthy and come visit!