A Closer Look at the Montessori Bed: Why Choose a Floor Bed for Your Baby?

When parents choose their baby’s first bed, they often opt for cradles, bassinets, or cribs with high sides. This seems the right choice, as it ensures the baby won’t roll out and fall. However, such beds are quite high. When the child grows and can stand and walk on their own, they begin to seek ways to get out of bed by themselves when they wake up. They want to start a new day, play, explore—the world is so exciting. But the bars or solid panels block this.

Maria Montessori was the first to highlight that we shouldn’t hinder children in their drive to explore the world around them. Instead, creating a safe environment that makes this possible is more appropriate. This is how the alternative to traditional cribs with high sides emerged: the Montessori floor bed for baby.

Key Features of the Montessori Floor Bed for Babies

This type of bed is usually placed directly on the floor. It looks like a frame, or a frame with a headboard, on which a mattress is placed. Instead of bars that completely enclose the child like in a cage, Maria Montessori proposed a free space without barriers. Only side rails, which prevent babies from rolling out of bed, remain in models designed for the youngest users. Until the age of three to six years, when spatial awareness is still developing, these rails protect the child from rolling off the bed and getting injured.

And even if that happens, the low height of the mattress ensures that the child won’t get hurt. Therefore, the concept is a proven safe solution. More modern models are available with short legs. This still maintains safety and openness but makes cleaning under the bed much easier. Additionally, it improves air circulation under the mattress, preventing moisture buildup.

Benefits of a Floor Bed for Babies

The primary goal of such a bed is to give children more freedom and independence in movement. Instead, it’s better to lay a soft rug next to the bed, install window and socket covers, and remove all small, sharp, and potentially dangerous objects from the room. Rather than focusing on restrictions, opportunities are created, which reflects a completely different approach and concept.

In such an environment, the child grows curious, inquisitive, eager to explore, and most importantly—independent.

With the freedom to move, the child quickly learns to listen to their body’s signals. Often, children fully rely on their parents to decide when to rest, sleep, or wake up. However, the best approach is to develop a routine together. The child will listen to their body’s signals and will be able to lie down and rest when tired. And when they’re energized and ready to play, they can get up without waiting for their parents to assist. This not only helps the child understand the natural biological rhythms of their body but also gives them confidence that their feelings matter. This leads to both psychological and practical benefits, such as helping the child feel in control of their own body.

How to Set Up a Room with a Montessori Bed?

Foremost, ensure that the space is safe. The interior should be designed with attention to detail: everything the child can reach will end up in their hands, so a protected, safe environment is key, regardless of the room’s style.

Use simple and natural materials with soft, cozy tones. This helps children concentrate and learn not to get distracted. Moreover, a minimalist interior will be easier to adapt later on to new interests and preferences that the child may develop.
As with the bed, other furniture items (tables, chairs, shelves) should be low so that the child can use them independently.
Pay attention to lighting. You can place a nightlight with an adjustable soft light near the sleeping area. Meanwhile, it’s better to shield the room from car and streetlight glare with day-night curtains. A desk or wall lamp with directed light in the work area would be a good choice in the learning and creative space.

Don’t try to buy and place everything your child might need in the future at once. Start with the basics. Over time, it will be easier to understand what is missing and what can be added. This way, you can save money on unnecessary purchases and choose the elements that your child truly needs.

A Closer Look at the Montessori Bed: Why Choose a Floor Bed for Your Baby?

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