Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to worry a metal bed frame could be unsafe for a tween

55 replies

tonkendear · 29/08/2026 19:17

https://www.dunelm.com/product/emily-metal-bed-frame-1000295082?defaultSkuId=31055771&size=Small+Double+4ft&colour=Cream

Am I being unreasonable to think that the gap between the bars could present a risk to a tween/young teenager, if their head were to become stuck between them? (I haven't measured the width of the gap). Or am I unreasonably stuck in some sort of baby / toddler safe sleeping mode? Tell me if IABU. Teen likes this style.

Emily Metal Bed Frame | Dunelm

* Durable metal frame * Curved top rails * Powder coated finish * Classic design Bring timeless style to your bedroom with this metal bed frame, featuring gently curved top rails for a softer, classic look. The durable metal construction is finished...

https://www.dunelm.com/product/emily-metal-bed-frame-1000295082?colour=Cream&defaultSkuId=31055771&size=Small+Double+4ft

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
AtomicBlondeRose · 31/08/2026 13:58

My DS and his friends were once, as teenage boys do, throwing small stones into a pond. A meddlesome woman came by and told them off, as there were ducks on a completely different part of the pond - not because they might hit the ducks, as they weren’t aiming at them or indeed anywhere near them, but because at some future point a duck might eat one of the stones and die.

I’m afraid when they recounted this conversation I did laugh at their response which was “if a duck’s stupid enough to eat a stone, that’s on the duck”. Similarly here, if a teenager is stupid enough to get stuck in their own bed, that’s on the teenager.

Hagnumber4 · 31/08/2026 13:48

My child would totally get stuck in this type of bed. He's ten and I 100% would be shouted in because his body is half way through 😂

101Alsatians · 31/08/2026 11:26

That's the kindof odd thought I'd have lol,but I would keep it to myself and not act on it.

I can also confirm that I had those kinds of beds for years at all ages and never fell foul of one...and I am VERY much a spanner.

deadinthehead · 31/08/2026 11:21

I have had this for 12 years, it doesn't squeak or creak, totally silent, still looks great, I spent years in an old property with a sloping creaking floor, it was silent there too.

TheEarlofButties · 30/08/2026 21:05

Brendayouknowthatyouremuchtoolazy · 29/08/2026 19:27

Rather depends on how much of a spanner your child is.

Needed that lol today, thanks!

Boomer55 · 30/08/2026 16:17

tonkendear · 29/08/2026 19:17

https://www.dunelm.com/product/emily-metal-bed-frame-1000295082?defaultSkuId=31055771&size=Small+Double+4ft&colour=Cream

Am I being unreasonable to think that the gap between the bars could present a risk to a tween/young teenager, if their head were to become stuck between them? (I haven't measured the width of the gap). Or am I unreasonably stuck in some sort of baby / toddler safe sleeping mode? Tell me if IABU. Teen likes this style.

Seriously? At that age? Jeez. 🙄

MaryIngallsRibbons · 30/08/2026 16:15

2026newname · 29/08/2026 19:18

What have I just read???!!

This.

ImogenBrocklehurst · 30/08/2026 11:05

Superscared · 30/08/2026 00:02

Do I tell the story about the time I got my head stuck in the bars of my bed at the ripe old age of 49??? Embarrassing but true…

Yes. Yes you do.

Sahara123 · 30/08/2026 10:23

Of all the things you’ll probably have to worry about in the teenage years this ain’t one of them !

DearCritic · 30/08/2026 10:12

We all have metal beds, ours don’t squeak. I wonder if the squeaky ones aren’t tightened enough? All my children have had them from about 1.5/2!!! Never an incident. You’re definitely over thinking this.

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2026 10:11

I've had a Victorian style metal framed bed for 25 years. It's comfortable and only slightly squeaky.

CaptainMyCaptain · 30/08/2026 10:06

TeenLifeMum · 29/08/2026 19:32

I have a similar bed and my head fits between without getting stuck … if she wants to sit up in bed then she’ll need to have lots of pillows (I find 4 enough).

I find two pillows and a big cushion that I remove at night works.

concertinacornflake · 30/08/2026 06:18

I agree that bed looks uncomfortable for sitting on.

concertinacornflake · 30/08/2026 06:17

Superscared · 30/08/2026 00:02

Do I tell the story about the time I got my head stuck in the bars of my bed at the ripe old age of 49??? Embarrassing but true…

Yes please tell more - how did this happen??

fumingrightnow1 · 30/08/2026 04:39

We had a metal bed for years, so uncomfortable

HelenaWaiting · 30/08/2026 03:26

tonkendear · 29/08/2026 20:26

Funny replies😂thank you.

So I'm pretty unanimously unreasonable. I don't have an anxiety disorder, thankfully, but something about cots and safe sleeping must have gotten under my skin in those sleep deprived years. I wasn't thinking that they'd actually actively stick their head in between (although with teenagers you never do know) but perhaps could get stuck in between while sleeping, no idea how far the gap. Glad I asked and happy to be unreasonable as we may get it for dd after all, although the squeakiness pp mentioned does not sound great. Apparently metal beds are all the rage with teens, I've never slept in one.

Mine was incredibly noisy; if I moved in my sleep the noise would wake me up. Apparently it's worse if you have wooden flooring. I don't have it anymore, for obvious reasons.

binding13 · 30/08/2026 00:42

I have one from the original bed company and it’s really solid. Use two pillows against the headboard and it’s fine for reading/sitting up

nomas · 30/08/2026 00:40

snackatack · 29/08/2026 19:19

I had a bed very similar - really un comfy to sit up in - so I'd say no for a teen as pretty as they look - unless you are going to invest in 1 million pillows too

I agree with this, unless your dd just lies there perpendicular.

Greenismyfavouritecolournow · 30/08/2026 00:14

My daughter has had an ivory wrought iron bed since she outgrew her cot. It will be her bed until she leaves home and then I’ll keep it for guests. They’re beautiful beds if you buy a really good quality one.

Superscared · 30/08/2026 00:02

Do I tell the story about the time I got my head stuck in the bars of my bed at the ripe old age of 49??? Embarrassing but true…

fashionqueen0123 · 29/08/2026 23:56

Nah just very uncomfortable.

likelysuspect · 29/08/2026 23:36

That style of bed has been in existence for about 200 years.

Im thinking if it was inherently dangerous to 11 year olds, someone would have noticed by now.

Stinkybooks · 29/08/2026 23:28

superchick · 29/08/2026 19:53

And what... they shout "muuuuuumm, I'm stuck" and you go in and unstick them. Its not dangerous.

Actually it is - my brother got stuck like that aged two and would have died had I not been there to raise the alarm. But he was two and a loon.
It was a home made bed rail. Dad subsequently made the bed safer.

I wouldn’t be concerned about a child aged 10+ getting stuck on the bed you are looking at @tonkendear Do you get unreasonably anxious about other things?

italianlondongirl · 29/08/2026 23:22

I’d get something modern looking with a padded headrest so she can sit up in bed comfortably

MattHandjob · 29/08/2026 23:20

Brendayouknowthatyouremuchtoolazy · 29/08/2026 19:27

Rather depends on how much of a spanner your child is.

😆😆😆💀