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Start for freeEmbracing the Montessori Floor Bed Approach
Ashley, a dedicated mom of two young girls, passionately advocates for the use of floor beds in children's rooms, aligning with Montessori philosophies. Her personal journey with her daughters Kylie and Mia has equipped her with valuable insights that she shares to help other parents considering this approach.
Why Choose a Floor Bed?
Floor beds are not just a trendy choice; they are rooted in the Montessori method which emphasizes independence and respect for a child’s natural psychological development. Ashley points out that starting children on floor beds from an early age can significantly ease transitions and foster independence.
Setting Up Your Child's Floor Bed
When setting up a floor bed, selecting the right mattress is crucial. Ashley recommends a low-profile, firm mattress to prevent risks associated with softer bedding. For infants under 12 months, minimalistic bedding is advised—just a fitted sheet to avoid any suffocation hazards. For those living in colder climates or during winter months, a sleep sack can provide warmth without compromising safety.
Ashley uses specific frames to keep the mattresses just inches off the ground—like IKEA’s Ora bed for Kylie and Sprout’s Montessori floor bed frame for Mia. These setups ensure that even if children roll out of bed, they won’t have far to fall, particularly if the room is carpeted.
Safety First
Safety is paramount when implementing any new furniture in your child's environment. Ashley stresses the importance of baby-proofing the room thoroughly before transitioning your child to a floor bed. She also suggests keeping newborns close in a bassinet during their first few months before moving them to their own room.
Handling Night-Time Adventures
One common concern for parents is what happens if their child leaves their bed at night. Ashley shares that it’s normal for children to explore this new freedom initially but they generally settle down once the novelty wears off. To prevent wandering too far, she advises using baby gates or closing doors during naps and at bedtime.
Sleep Training Techniques
Ashley has experimented with various sleep training techniques with her daughters. With Kylie, she used what she calls 'the gradual retreat method' which helped Kylie learn to fall asleep independently by slowly reducing parental presence at bedtime. For Mia, she implemented 'the pause' technique from French parenting philosophy which involves waiting several minutes before responding to Mia’s cries at night—allowing her time to self-soothe.
The Role of Consistent Bedtime Routines
The importance of consistency cannot be overstated when establishing sleeping habits using a floor bed. A predictable bedtime routine helps signal to your child that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Whether it involves reading books or simply turning on white noise, maintaining these routines consistently each night aids in smoother transitions to sleep.
Final Thoughts on Floor Beds
The journey towards effectively using floor beds requires patience and consistency but can lead to significant developmental benefits for children as per Montessori principles. If you’re considering this setup or looking for ways to optimize it further based on real-life experiences like Ashley's detailed sharing might just be what you need.
Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9fHShu8YJ4
