One of the questions we hear from parents is:

Why does TeddyBed recommend some kids mattresses from age 2+, while the TeddyDen is recommended from age 3+?

The answer is less about a child's exact birthday and much more about the stage when children typically begin transitioning from a cot into their first kids bed and mattress.

There is no universal age when every toddler should leave their cot. Children develop differently, and some remain safely and happily in a cot longer than others.

That is why Teddy's age recommendations are designed to provide parents with a clear guide for each individual product, while recognising that the timing of the cot-to-bed transition can vary from child to child.

Teddy's 2+ and 3+ age recommendations broadly align with the stage when many children begin moving from a cot into their first larger mattress or kids single bed.

Whānau Āwhina Plunket says most children move from a cot to a bed between approximately 18 months and 3½ years. It also notes that there is no set age and says it is probably safest to wait until around age two unless a child begins trying to climb out earlier.

The Raising Children Network similarly says many children make the transition between 2 and 3 years old, while encouraging parents to consider their child's individual physical and emotional readiness.

This is the stage of childhood Teddy's kids range has been developed around.

However, Teddy's recommended age for an individual product should always be followed. A child needing to leave their cot earlier does not automatically change the recommended age of a Teddy product.

There Is No Single “Right Age” to Move From a Cot to a Bed

Toddler transitioning isn't determined by a birthday.

Some children are comfortable in their cot well beyond their second birthday. Others begin trying to climb out earlier.

Plunket advises that most children make the move somewhere between 18 months and 3½ years and specifically identifies climbing from the cot as something parents should consider. Plunket

The Raising Children Network places the common transition around 2–3 years and notes that children should ideally be physically able to get in and out of their new bed safely. Raising Children Network

This means parents should consider the individual child, their cot manufacturer's instructions and the sleep environment, rather than deciding that every child must move into a bed at a particular age.

Why Might a Toddler Need to Transition Earlier?

One of the most common reasons is climbing.

Once a toddler starts trying to climb over the sides of their cot, parents need to reassess their sleep setup. Plunket recommends keeping the cot mattress at its lowest setting and says that if a child can still climb out, it may be time to move them to a bed with a side rail. Plunket

Other reasons can include reaching the cot manufacturer's specified limits, needing easier access to the toilet during the night, or simply reaching the developmental stage where a different sleeping environment is appropriate.

That does not, however, mean that every bed or mattress becomes suitable simply because a child needs to leave their cot.

The recommended age and instructions for the new product still matter.

So Why Does Teddy Use Ages 2+ and 3+?

Teddy's age recommendations tell parents from what stage we recommend using a particular Teddy product.

They are not a rule telling parents when every child should leave their cot.

For example, the Teddy Junior and Junior LUX mattresses are designed around the first big-kid mattress stage and include comfort options specifically identified for children aged 2–4 years.

The TeddyDen bed frame, on the other hand, is currently recommended by Teddy for children aged 3 years and above.

So there are really two different questions:

When is my child ready to leave their cot?

And:

From what age does Teddy recommend this particular product?

The two are related, but they are not the same question.

Why the TeddyDen Is Different From a Traditional Toddler Bed

When a child is ready for their first bed, parents often face another decision.

Do you purchase a smaller toddler bed now, only to replace it with a kids single bed a few years later?

Many toddler beds use a cot-sized mattress rather than a full single mattress. The Raising Children Network notes that toddler beds are usually around the same size as cots and can allow families to continue using their existing cot mattress and bedding. Raising Children Network

The TeddyDen takes a different approach.

Instead of creating a small bed that your child will quickly grow out of, the TeddyDen is designed around a full-size kids mattress.

It begins just 10 cm off the ground in its low configuration. As your child grows, the frame can be flipped into its higher 23 cm configuration, while the guard rail can be repositioned as a headboard.

This allows the same bed frame to move from the first-bed stage into the bigger-kid years.

And importantly for families shopping for a toddler bed in New Zealand or Australia, the TeddyDen is designed around full-size single mattress proportions rather than requiring a small toddler-specific mattress.

Teddy's NZ Single mattress measures 91 × 188 cm, while standard Australian Single mattresses are commonly approximately 92 × 188 cm.

For parents, the idea is simple:

buy for the transition, but choose a bed designed to continue growing with your child.

That is what we mean when we describe the TeddyDen as a true transition bed — low for the first-bed stage, adaptable as children develop and based around a full-size mattress rather than a short-term toddler-bed format.

Why Are the Teddy Junior and Junior LUX Mattresses Recommended From Age 2+?

The Teddy Junior and Junior LUX mattresses have been designed around the stage when many children begin transitioning from a cot mattress into their first big-kid mattress.

Both mattresses have a flat, non-quilted sleeping surface and are 18 cm high.

They also provide two different comfort levels as a child grows.

The Teddy Junior has a very firm side intended for ages 2–4 and a firm side for ages 5+, while the Junior LUX has a firmer side for ages 2–4 and a medium-firm side for ages 5+.

Practicality matters during this stage too.

Both mattresses include a removable, machine-washable outer cover and a protective inner cover designed to help prevent spills and night-time accidents from reaching the mattress core. Teddy's current product information describes the Evolon® inner encasement as water-resistant and as a physical barrier to dust mites and allergens.

At just 18 cm high, both mattresses also maintain a relatively low mattress profile.

Taken together, the flat sleeping surface, carefully selected firmness levels, lower profile, washable outer cover and protective inner encasement, these are deliberate design features created around the transition from a cot into a child's first bigger mattress.

For us, that's what a purpose-built kids mattress should look like.

A Kids Mattress Designed to Grow Beyond the Toddler Years

Moving from a cot shouldn't necessarily mean buying a product that will only work for the next year or two.

Both Teddy kids mattresses are available in Single, King Single and Double sizes, allowing families to choose a standard mattress format that can remain useful as their child gets older. teddy

This same philosophy sits behind the TeddyDen.

Instead of approaching toddler transitioning as one short stage requiring one short-term product, Teddy has designed the kids range around the idea that the first bed and mattress can continue into the next stages of childhood.

It means fewer unnecessary transitions for children and potentially fewer beds and mattresses for parents to replace.

What If My Child Is Younger Than Teddy's Recommended Age?

Every family's circumstances are different, and we know some parents need to move their child out of a cot earlier than expected.

However, if your child is younger than the recommended age of the Teddy product you are considering, the published Teddy age recommendation should remain your reference point.

A child climbing out of their cot may mean their current cot is no longer the appropriate sleep environment.

It does not automatically mean a Teddy product recommended for an older age becomes suitable for earlier use.

Parents should consider an age-appropriate alternative, follow the instructions for their existing cot and seek appropriate child-health advice if they are unsure.

Why We Prefer Clear Age Recommendations

As a children's sleep brand, we believe parents deserve clear guidance.

So when you see:

Ages 2+

or

Ages 3+

on a Teddy product, it means:

This is the stage from which Teddy recommends this particular product.

It doesn't mean every child must leave their cot on their second or third birthday.

It also doesn't mean children who need to leave their cot sooner should automatically use a Teddy product earlier than recommended.

It is simply our way of clearly communicating the intended stage for each product.

When Should My Child Move From a Cot to Their First Mattress?

For many children, the transition happens during the toddler years, commonly around ages 2–3.

But the range is wider than that.

Plunket says most children transition between approximately 18 months and 3½ years, while the Raising Children Network says many children make the move between 2 and 3 years. Plunket

Rather than choosing a date based solely on age, consider your child's development, whether they are trying to climb out, the manufacturer's instructions for their cot and the requirements of the new bed or mattress.

A simple way to remember it is:

Child-sleep guidance can help you decide when your child may be ready to leave their cot.

Teddy's product recommendation tells you when we recommend using that particular Teddy product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Teddy recommend its kids mattresses from age 2+?

The Teddy Junior and Junior LUX are designed around the stage when many children begin transitioning from a cot into their first larger mattress. Both provide a firmer sleeping option for ages 2–4, together with flat sleeping surfaces, an 18 cm profile, washable outer covers and protective inner covers. teddy

Why is the TeddyDen recommended from age 3+?

Teddy currently recommends the TeddyDen for children aged 3 years and above. The bed begins in a low 10 cm configuration and can later be flipped into a 23 cm-high big-kid configuration. The guard rail can also be repositioned as a headboard as your child grows.

Can my toddler move out of their cot before age 2?

Some children do need to transition earlier, particularly if they are climbing out of their cot. Plunket specifically recognises climbing as a reason parents may need to reconsider their child's cot. Plunket

That does not automatically change Teddy's recommended age for a particular product.

My child is younger than the Teddy product recommendation. Can they still use it?

Teddy recommends following the published age guidance for the individual product.

If your child needs to leave their cot earlier, that does not automatically mean a Teddy product with a higher age recommendation should be used earlier.

Is age the only way to know when my toddler is ready for a bed?

No. Age is only one consideration. Parents should also consider climbing, their child's size and developmental readiness, the cot manufacturer's instructions and whether their child can safely use their next sleeping environment.

Are toddler beds the same size as a standard kids single bed?

Not always. Many toddler beds are designed around cot-sized mattresses, whereas a standard NZ or Australian Single is significantly larger. Teddy designed the TeddyDen around a full-size Single mattress format so the bed can continue to be useful as a child grows. Raising Children Network

Teddy's Approach

At Teddy, our goal isn't to rush children into their first big bed.

It's to help make the next stage of their sleep journey easier when the time is right.

That's why our age recommendations provide parents with a clear starting point while recognising that every child's cot-to-bed transition is different.

From the low-to-the-ground, flip-to-grow design of the TeddyDen, to the transition-focused features of the Teddy Junior and Junior LUX mattresses, our kids range has been created around one simple idea:

design for the stage they're entering, while giving them room to grow.