Bunk beds for young children

leftieM

I'd appreciate some advice on this. My girls are 2 and 4 (3 and 5 in June) and currently successfully share a room. The youngest is still in a cot and we need to get her out. I thought I could get bunk beds for the girls but when I was looking I saw that they are not recommended for children under 6! I think my older girl will be fine. However I don't want to be irresponsible. Has anyone had younger children in bunks?
I saw this bed in Ikea with a mattress on the floor underneath which looked like a good compromise. Is there a problem with having a child at floor level?
At this stage I just haven't a clue what to get. I like having floor space in the girls' room so they can play, which is why I want bunk beds. Also I foolishly told my children that I would buy them bunks and they are looking forward to it.

skylight

Yep. I do - as we simply had no choice with the size of the room.

I picked the Shorty bunk from Argos - not only are the beds smaller but height wise its shorter as well. Its cheap too - with mattresses.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6611565/Trail/searchtext%3ESHORTY.htm
Its surprisingly sturdy.

My girls have been in theres for a year, since they were 2 (almost 3) and 4 (almost 5)

Of course - number 4 will need a bed in 2 years time and due to space we are having to look at triple bunks! (triple beds, not double and sinlge!)

doraexplorer

yes we had bunks for my 2 age 6 and 2 at the time. and baby girlie was fine in bottom bunk. we needed to for the space. thank goodeess we moved house and they now a have a bedroom each saves them fighting. but they were fine and safe in the bunk beds in the old house. little one loved being in a big bed,

Gingham_Ribbon

Some bunks suggest age 6 and some suggest age 4 from what I can see, but it's got to be down to the individual and if your oldest doesn't fall out of bed and could manage the ladder then it's not really up to anyone but you to decide what is best. (For a younger child, I'd choose one with a good sturdy side on the top bunk.)

mrsclecoco_2

my two are in bunk beds they are 4 and 2, we had too because of space but my dad did build a higher safety rail for my dd (she wriggles, even in her sleep) It can then be moved when shes a bit older, it puts my mind at rest when they are in bed!

adea

My girls are 5 and 4 and have been in bunk beds for about 2 years now.
The built in bed guard on the top is fine for the oldest and the younger one has an ordinary bed guard on hers which does her fine.

arthur_dent_2

Due to Oh myself and 2 dds living untill very recently in a one bed house, my dds (4+6) have had bunks since just before my youngests 2nd birthday. I have never had any problem with them except in the arguments as to who has which bunk. As above the built in bed guards do their job just fine.

geekgirl

My older two had high beds when they were 4 and 6. They were built by my OH and there was a high bed on each side of the room with a ladder each with a solid side built around 8 inches higher than the mattress so that they couldn't fall out. It was the only way they could share a room and still have room to play as there was no room elsewhere. It worked well for us but was a pain changing the sheets as I had to reach from one end to do it. It was well worth it though as they were rock solid built from timber with a desk built underneath for each of them with their own bits. It cut down on arguments.

belfastgirl23

Is it still possible to get bunk beds that separate out into regular beds? If so you could consider getting them, doing without the floorspace for another little while and then putting them together when your DDs are a little older? Just a thought. Although tbh I tend to think those guidelines def err on the side of caution and if you feel your DD1 is sensible enough to manage it (and a deep enough sleeper) then go for it.

clairec79

I think my eldest was 4 when we got the bunk beds, we put a spare mattress on the floor so if she fell out she'd have a soft landing. It was always the younger one without the rail who fell (that and the ladder - so they weren't allowed up except for at night at first)

Tim_Deegan

The reason they suggest that bunk beds are only suitable for children over six is basically a disclaimer. Personally I think a reponsible parent is the best person to make the descision as they know their children best.

My three year old son moved into the bottom bunk a few months ago. I wouldn't put him in the top bunk at his age, but he does often climb up there (he climbs like a monkey).

One thing to remember is to make sure the mattresses aren't too deep, otherwise the rail won't be high enough to stop them rolling out.