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Behaviour/development

What age is it ok to put a child in a top bunk?

16 replies

MaybeAfterBreakfast · 06/07/2009 19:15

The recommended 6 years seems a bit OTT to me, but perhaps I'm being too blase.

Considering putting 3.2yo ds1 into one sometime in the next few weeks.

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iMum · 06/07/2009 19:16

ds1 was 7

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LucyMinter · 06/07/2009 19:18

Ds1 is 6 aqnd I wouldn't - he still wakes in the night v confused after a dream etc or if he's ill. He'd just fall straight out if that happened.

So yes to your 3yo ONLY if he never wakes in the night, AND you have a double bed under type, in case he suddenly decides to

Seriously - 3 way too little imho.

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Olihan · 06/07/2009 19:20

We put ds1 into a one at around that age, maybe even earlier. I'm sure he was in it by the time ds2 was born when he was 3. Ours had a sloping ladder which made me less worried about him getting in and out. He's now 5.6 and has never fallen out.

If he's a bit of a daredevil I might think twice but if he's pretty calm and sensible (for a 3.2yo ) I'd do it.

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Buddleja · 06/07/2009 19:22

DS1 was 4.5 - I'd no choice about it DS2 needed to go into a bed as he'd out grown the cot and there isn't room for two singles so bunk bed it had to be

Been like that for a year and not problems with it

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oodlesofpoodles · 06/07/2009 19:23

My 3yo is on the top atm. She has been since she was about 3.2.

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canella · 06/07/2009 19:23

ds1 was in the top bunk just after his 4th birhtday - no problems with it at all!!

ds2(now 2.10) can quite happily get up and down the ladder but he wakes in the night so wouldnt let him sleep up there.

no chance of them falling out in the night unless they actively climb out - theres a side rail!

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flamingobingo · 06/07/2009 19:25

I think 3 is a bit young. Ours is a very high bunk and I worried about my then 5yo going in it. As it was she was fine - but make sure that the rail comes up nice and high.

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PestoMonster · 06/07/2009 19:26

DD1 went in to the top bunk at about 4.6 yo. Was absolutely fine. I just put the old cot mattress on the floor alongside, just in case. No incidents to report though, whatsoever.

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lucymum2four · 06/07/2009 20:42

My Ds1 in bunk bed now and he is three Ds2 sleeps at bottom but sometimes wake in moring to find them both in top bunk. Has safety rail Yes! just explained to my boys they are not to stand up on bed. so far so good.(wink)

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lucymum2four · 06/07/2009 20:43

My Ds1 in bunk bed now and he is three Ds2 sleeps at bottom but sometimes wake in moring to find them both in top bunk. Has safety rail Yes! just explained to my boys they are not to stand up on bed. so far so good.

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TitsalinaBumsquash · 06/07/2009 20:43

DS1 went in one at 3.5, he is fine. Never had any problems.

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MaybeAfterBreakfast · 07/07/2009 08:56

Thank you all. Food for thought.

Going to hold out as long as possible, but ds2 is trying to climb out of his cot (but can't quite do it yet) so will need ds1's lower bunk soon, I think. The only practical alternative is to have them both share the lower bunk.

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TheArmadillo · 07/07/2009 09:06

ds went in a high sleeper at 3.

Never been any probs.

3yo seems about average amongst the people I know in RL.

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ICANDOTHAT · 08/07/2009 13:58

When we bought ours, the guideline was 6

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TabithaTwitchet · 08/07/2009 14:16

I was 4. My very first act once it was assembled was to lean over the top in great excitement to try and see my younger brother in the lower bunk. Obviously I plummeted head first, but was saved by my father passing the doorway and making a diving grab for me. I was very careful for a long time after that.

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muddleduck · 08/07/2009 14:20

We were going to put ds1 (then nearly 4) in a top bunk while on holiday but the day before we went he fell out of his toddler bed so we decided it was not a great idea . While on holiday we put ds2 on a small mattress on the floor next to the bunk beds which was moved up to the top bunk during the day. Prob not a great long term solution though.

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