5yo fell out of midsleeper

[ChimneyP0t]

Luckily unhurt but obviously it could have been much worse. We thought he'd gone to sleep but he was messing about leaning over the side and fell. I've moved the mattress to the floor and said we will talk about it tomorrow. AIBU to say he has to go back to a lower bed for now. I don't think he'd do it again, but I didn't think he'd do it in the first place. Husband thinks I'm over reacting but I don't want to take any chances and also think there should be consequences for dangerous behaviour.

What are the age guidelines for the bed?

How about a guard to add to the side of the bed?

I guess the consequence was falling out. I'd say he's learned his lesson. It was messing rather than during sleep so that could happen any time during play as well as at night time. I'd keep a close eye at bedtime and leave him be.

Can you get extra guard rails? But hopefully he's learned his lesson now.

6+ so he's not quite there

you must’ve got a fright.

im like you and would probably do the same tbh

Good point about the consequences

Will look into guard rails!

I’d worry those would add to the risk - he will fall from a greater height if he tries to lean out over higher guard rails.

I was about to say the same.

‘Consequences’ ? I don’t think so. A 5 year old in a mid sleeper is not on at all if by a mid sleeper you mean something accessed by a ladder/steps/is raised up higher than an adult bed. Many 5 yr olds are still in toddler beds or floor beds or have a bed rail/guard on a regular bed. I once babysat for a friend whose 5 year old could manage to fall out of his single bed with a a bed guard and managed to get the little chap back in bed without waking 🤣

You can't rely on the impulse control of a 5yo for safety planning, and no amount of punishment dished out is going to make his brain more mature, it's pointless.

Put up a bed rail.

So you decided to ignore the age guidelines and now you want to punish your 5 year old?

Agree that rails risk a higher fall and that he may not be able to resist doing it again. So I think the only answer is normal bed until he's 6!

Get an ordinary bed with a bed rail and wait - preferably longer than age 6

@Summertimer

thats daft. Of course 5 year old are fine in mid sleepers.

@ChimneyP0t no it doesn't need a punishment. He's had a natural consequence of messing about. That's plenty & he'll be fine sleeping in it. If just make sure the floor is clear, just in case.

I'd probably want him in a normal bed for a couple more years with a bed guard. My eldest was in a top bunk at 6 but he wasn't adventurous or a climber! I'm probably a bit cautious but you'll probably sleep better knowing he can't fall out of a normal bed!