Toddlers in bunk beds?

[Summerpeachblossom]

To put my just turned 4-year old in the top bunk? Other child, 2, would be in the bottom. Most beds say not recommended for under 6 years, which seems quite old? If the bed had hugh sides, proper stairs and kids are pretty sensible, is it safe? What am I missing? This is the kind of thing I'm thinking of - https://www.bedkingdom.co.uk/flair-furnishings-slick-staircase-bunk-bed-white.html?fo_c=3456&fo_k=95b5d01109732c27e50efb6366bac41a&fo_s=gplauk&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=16738490762&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkqSlBhDaARIsAFJANkjJtfRYbydX4cCpWh8xagcmS7qIIatL-63iGFoZBOH_66abLwcWj2EaAi1vEALw_wcB

My DC went in bunk beds when they were 2yo and 4yo. All fine.

Had the same predicament but with a 4 yo and 3yo so we had the ikea kura bed for years as its not too high

Which slats did you use for the bottom bunk?

For the Ikea Kira You can just buy an extra set of ikea slats and for them on with a couple of long bits of wood underneath

I put my sensible 4yo in a bunk bed at this age BUT the top bunk was low (1m) AND, although the intention was to put the 2yo on the bottom bunk, he had to stay in a cot with bars til he was 3.5 because I couldn't trust him not to climb up the ladder in the night 🤦‍♀️so depends on the kids really!

For the Kura just the standard ikea 90cm slats

Also for the Kura take care to buy a thin mattress for the top bunk-it does say which one on the product info. Otherwise the sides are not high enough

My friend has the Kura bed for her 5 & 3 year olds. She just bought these slats for underneath and put a mattress on top. Seems fine and never been any issues with the bottom bed. Just use thinner mattresses for both.
Slats

I would wait I think. If DC was ill,scared ,or just woke up half asleep,they could quite easily slip and fall.Its not worth the risk! What about a "Trundle " type bed ,where one mattress pulls out and slides back into main bed frame? Google Trundle .and a whole lot of options there for you .

Exactly this my daughter was 5 when we put her in one. Son was 18 month but wasn't brave enough to climb up until two. When he did though he was up there as soon as I left the room keeping her awake. Ended up having to put him in with me and they're dad my ex.

Definitely factor in the younger one climbing up. A friend found her younger one had climbed up to the top bunk - in her grobag!

I read that the reason for 6 years+ rule was because up to the age of 6, their head is heavier than their body so if they fall, they will land headfirst and more likely to seriously hurt themselves.

It's if they get out in the middle of the night as well they can easily forget. My ex as an adult and his mate slept in bunk beds as working in the area. Got up in the night to use the toilet and forgot. And as I've replied to someone further up my son at two used to climb up on his older sisters mid sleeper. Maybe a trundle bed can be rolled back under the bed during the day.

Ours are in bunk beds, the twins share the bottom bunk they will be 2 in October. 3 year old top and he has never fallen out

I considered bunk beds when my son was 2 thinking he could sleep on the bottom and grow in to the top. Did a quick Google and discovered the danger of strangulation from falling down the wall side. Safe to say he’s still in a single at 6.

We've got a Kura - haven't bothered putting slats underneath, just a mattress on the floor littlest gets in with us most of the time anyway

How large is the room OP/floor plan? We might be able to suggest other options.
Would the image work with smaller, toddler beds?

I very briefly considered a bunk bed for my two- it would've given them so much floor space- but slapped myself out of that thought when I considered their personalities and how they'd think nothing of pushing each other over the top/how I'd make the bed every morning/manage any sickness or vomiting bugs. They're both in singles now and play elsewhere in the house.

Also, how once the novelty wore off, they'd want to sleep next to me and the bunk beds would be used an an 'open' wardrobe.

I think it depends on the child tbh. My eldest has been in a ladder bed from just after she turned 3 and has been absolutely fine, it does have shallow sides. I'm not sure I would do the same for my youngest who is now 3 as she is a bit more dangerous!

my youngest still creeps into bed with us too. But if the kura system is in theory a long term solution then I would consider getting slats for the bottom mattress as otherwise there’s no air flow around the mattress and it could lead to damp underneath plus dust from the floor etc.

First year, nothing, just made sure I was airing the mattress by putting it on its side once a week, then I think I bought a cheap futon base on fb market place but I know ikea do have a basic slatted base available if you wanted to add onto order

As well as all the other risks mentioned, steps with integral cupboards/drawers are another layer of risk, especially coming down if one is left open or a latch uncatches (there's a FB group called 'death stairs' which regularly features stairs with added risks like these!).

A sleepy 4 year old could have a very nasty fall not to mention how on earth will you prevent the 2 year old clambering up and having a nasty fall? You can't block the access down and they will be unsupervised - not a great situ.

No I wouldn't take a chance, it's not worth it in my opinion. A regular bed with a pull out trundle would be a safer choice.

Also, making the bed on the top bunk until your child is old enough is a right PITA.

And when they puke in the night...

I would try and just use two singles.

Is it a box room?
Either two singles in L shape save a fair amount of space, or just side by side