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Original poster

Bunk beds

36 replies

Verity35 · 14/07/2020 16:39

Really conflicted about getting my kids a bunk bed. Eldest one really wants one as seen others with one. I don’t feel they are safe. Top child could fall off and bottom child I would keep stressing about more as the bunk bed could collapsed and crush my child. What are your opinions? Please be kind I do worry about EVERYTHING!

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/07/2020 16:40

Please be kind I do worry about EVERYTHING!

I can tell Grin

Do they need bunks? Do they share a room and would they benefit from the additional floor space? How old are they?

Nicknacky · 14/07/2020 16:40

What age are the kids?

My daughter had a cabin bed from about 8 onwards. Didn’t ever fall out and to be honest, it never crossed my mind to worry about it collapsing.

FudgeBrownie2019 · 14/07/2020 16:42

DS2 is 9 and has one of those ones with a double at the bottom and a single at the top - I convinced myself it's safer in case he falls off the top but he never has, in fact nobody ever has and his mates slept over fairly often before lockdown.

If you worry excessively and you think it will cause issues, just stand your ground and say no. Or build it yourself and double-check every nut and bolt to ensure it's as safe as possible.

TheFormerPorpentinaScamander · 14/07/2020 16:43

My DC had bunks from ages 4 and 6 until recently (now 13 and 15)
Top child never fell out, ive never seen a top bunk that doenst have rails all around. Bottom child never got crushed and I've never heard of this happening.

Original poster
Verity35 · 14/07/2020 16:44

Lol! Yes very obvious I’m a worrier.

6 and 2. Need to make nursery for baby so thinking of putting these 2 in big room and buy a bunk bed to save space.

OP posts:
loveisanopensore · 14/07/2020 16:44

Don't get them if you're this worried, you'll never sleep again.

Realistically though, have you ever heard of this happening?

Error011 · 14/07/2020 16:45

When I was younger I used to hate sleeping on the bottom bunk because I had that same fear. Honestly though they are safe and really helpful space savers. I say go for it! Smile

heartsonacake · 14/07/2020 16:46

If you truly worry this much about everything the best thing you can do for your children is to get help for your anxiety because it will rub off on them even if you think you hide it.

Chocolate1984 · 14/07/2020 16:46

Buy a slim bunk bed mattress and the guard will be high enough to stop them falling out.

My biggest regret about bunk beds is how hard they are to make.

Original poster
Verity35 · 14/07/2020 16:47

Thank you all. I googled “are bunk beds dangerous” before posting and it came up with 35,000 injuries resulting in AE visits a year from bunk beds!

OP posts:
Neighneigh · 14/07/2020 16:48

Tbh I'd be more worried about the faff of changing the sheets on the top. Ds2 has a cabin bed and each sheet change requires the services of an Olympic gymnast...

THNG5 · 14/07/2020 16:49

My boys have been in bunk beds for the last year, since they turned 3 and 2. No one has ever fallen out! The youngest has a bed guard on the bottom bunk at the moment.

Fandanglethat · 14/07/2020 16:49

Ok, I worry about EVERYTHING but not even I can muster the energy to worry about a bunk bed collapsing and crushing the bottom child.

I would worry about falling out, but I think if you get decent ones with a decent barrier they'll be fine!

topoftheshops · 14/07/2020 16:49

I was in a bottom bunk when the top collapsed - wooden slats, mattress and child all fell on me. I was about 11 I think.

The only reason this happened was that the beds hadn't been constructed properly - slats not screwed in at all, etc.

It did hurt but no crushing! There physically isn't room for the whole mattress to fall through, the child therefore fell at an angle also. The worst bit was the wooden slat that clocked me on the head! But even so, I was fine.

But it would definitely not have happened if the bed had been put together properly.

Don't know if that helps or not!

SusieOwl4 · 14/07/2020 16:49

I agree with the last poster . Climbing up the steps and putting on sheets on the top bunk used to be a right pain .

As long as you get one that’s age appropriate and you are young and agile enough to make the beds when you can only access one side than not a problem .

bluefoxmug · 14/07/2020 16:53

you second point - bunk beds are quite safe, they don't just collapse if they are put up together.
they are great for space saving, but I get why you would be concerned about falls.

I agree with a pp. changing bedding of the top bunk is a pain in the arse. for that reason alone I would only get a bunk/high sleeper if dc is able to change bedding themselves.

NotMeNoNo · 14/07/2020 16:55

We survived bunk beds (anecdotal). There are loads slightly used in circulation on FB and Ebay, buy a solid wooden type like Stompa, Thuka or Aspace and there should be no worry on stability. I think children have an instinctive caution of being up high. If you get a foam mattress they won't be tempted to bounce.

The main injury was me banging my head when getting up from the lower bunk or when trying to change the sheet.

maddiemookins16mum · 14/07/2020 17:00

We had bunk beds, I was gutted my YOUNGER sister got the flippin top bunk. I’ve never recovered from that trauma.
Seriously, they’re great although making the top one is a pain.

okiedokieme · 14/07/2020 17:02

Mine had them from 3&5. Space was the major reason and they really wanted "up and down beds" after a house move (international so sold old furniture)

okiedokieme · 14/07/2020 17:02

Mine had them from 3&5. Space was the major reason and they really wanted "up and down beds" after a house move (international so sold old furniture)

okiedokieme · 14/07/2020 17:02

Mine had them from 3&5. Space was the major reason and they really wanted "up and down beds" after a house move (international so sold old furniture)

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/07/2020 17:03

I'd be more worried about the 2yo climbing the ladders.

If it were me - baby in your room til 6mo, then put baby in with 2yo (that way you can have gate on the door etc) and 6yo in the third smaller room. Then, in time, they could either have a bunk bed for friends sleeping over or one of the higher beds with desk under.

Nutrigrainygoodness · 14/07/2020 17:05

We had bunk beds as kids. We never fell off the top bunk. (We did jump off a few times though)
I do know someone whos bunk beds fell through (years ago) but i don't think they were put together properly.
Its a nightmare to change the top bunk unless your 9ft tall or a gymnast. 🤣

lanthanum · 14/07/2020 17:09

@Neighneigh

Tbh I'd be more worried about the faff of changing the sheets on the top. Ds2 has a cabin bed and each sheet change requires the services of an Olympic gymnast...
Where d'you book the Olympic gymnast? I had to make do with DH, and it was pretty darn hard with two of us.
Cupoftchaiagain · 14/07/2020 17:10

@Verity35 I have similar age gap and at same ages (maybe youngest was 18minths) moved them into low bunks made from the ikea cabin bed. You can google hacks to convert it with slats from another. Youngest is basically at floor height and eldest at a mid height cabin bed. It’s very sturdy and felt safe.

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