Bunk Beds with stairs or ladder for 3 & 4 year olds

[allyfe]

I need to get bunk beds for my two. My 3 year old is just three, and my 4 year old nearly 5.

I am a scared at the idea of getting a standard bunk bed with a ladder because I worry about my 4 year old in the night, and I worry about my 3 year old during the day (he is a very active little boy and will not be good at not going up onto the bed at all). I had decided that my only solution was a bunk bed with stairs. I am very almost decided on: Parisot but they are expensive, and I'm worried that I am wasting my money!

How long have you had a boy and girl sharing? Will they totally trash them? And are steps worth it? Thanks!!!!

When we got bunk beds my dc where 3.5 and 4.11

Eldest on top youngest on bottom

We haven't had any problems really

Dc1 has never fallen during the night only once while getting into bed with the light on because he missed the rung

Dc2 is not allowed on top bunk still now at 4.7

He is good at sticking to this. Dc1 is also only allowed up there if he is going to sleep they both know not to play up there

Ours where 250 down from 500 I think in argos and they have a ladder

Both boys so cannot help there

Why do you need them? Is one in a cot?

DS has just gone into a high sleeper (ladder up to it, desk underneath, is about 5.5 -6 ft off ground, cos I can barely reach to tuck him in!). He was 4.10 when he went in it & was fine. There is a rail round him so he can't fall out & he is old enough to be warned about dangers anyway. Your older DC I'm sure would be fine in similar height bed, albeit bunk bed.

If you can't afford dear ones, look secondhand.

Thanks all so much. My youngest is in a cot bed, but one of the reasons we need it is the space. We need to fit in wardrobes and some toy storage, and it isn't possible with two low-level beds.

Baker mine will be really similar ages to yours. You got me thinking that perhaps the ladder/steps issue was more to do with my own fears, and so I had a chat with my DD last night and she said she was quite happy with the idea of a ladder. I think it is just me who isn't keen. So, we are going to go with this Thuka - with the safety kit (in this photo) but without the wooden barriers on the bottom bunk. But, my dilemma is do we get the slanting ladder or do we get the straight ladder!!! Really, the straight one would be better because it is a difference of 43 cm in floor space taken up. However, my own bunk bed phobia is such that I prefer the idea of the slanting one (Gluezilla you are right that it would make me feel better to have that!). We could fit it in but with an overall width of 105 cm, the straight ladder one would fit better into the room than the 147 cm wide slanting ladder one). Although, I was also thinking that perhaps the slanting ladder might make changing the bed covers easier??

my 6 year old and 3year old are in bunkbeds, and have been since 5and2, they have a straight ladder and DD my eldest hasn't ever had a problem with it. DS was to small to climb it at first but can now, he knows he's not supposed to but I have caught him up there sometimes. But he always shouts to get down. He has a bedgard onthe bottom so can't roll out, as its quit hight.

Mine were 6 and 3 when we moved them to a bunkbed. We had two cotbeds for as long as we could, but at 6 the eldest was no longer comfortable in a cotbed. So we moved both kids to a bunkbed.

The younger child started to sleep on the top bunk when she was 5. I would say she was ready at 4 - but there was no rush for us, so we delayed it just in case.

We had a sign on the bedroom for ages, saying 'Please remember - bunkbed is NOT a climbing frame!'

I'd say that counterintuitively steps or slanting ladder are more dangerous than the straight ladder because kids are so tempted to run up and down. The straight ladder encourages them to take great care. (And of course you get extra space in the room with a straight ladder).

If you buy mattresses separately from the bed, pay attention to how thick they are - barriers at the top bunk may become dangerously low if you put a thick mattress on top bunk. We bought a mattress that was too thick and had to return it and get another one for safety reasons.

The gap between the mattress and the top of the safety barrier should be at least 13cm, which means that mattress usually can be 15-18 cm thick maximum.

My DD also has bunkbed curtains which she loves.

One more option which you perhaps haven't considered is - could they both sleep on the bottom bunk until the older child is 5 for example? (or some other timeframe you're comfortable with). Mine like to sleep on the same bed - with pillows at the opposite sides and when they were younger their feet didn't even meet in the middle!

What an exciting purchase though! Awww :) xx

(sign on the bedroom door)

Right, they are bought!!!! With the Thuka mattresses (which I believe leave a greater than 12.5 cm barrier height). I got the straight ladder. It makes sense. But I do love the sloping ones. But the straight ladder really is the best fit for the room. Here's hoping!! Thanks so much for all your advice/comments!!!

this is the one i am lusting after for my DTS's

I am sure I have seen somewhere that bunk beds aren't recommended for children under the age of 6, and they are a pain to make when you need to change the bedding.

Bunbaker, yes that's true 6 years old is the official age limit from the manufacturer, but many people let their children sleep in bunkbeds at younger age. A lot depends on whether the child goes to the toilet at night, because getting down from the top bunk at night can be tricky.

Also you have to supervise it closely at daytime at first so kids don't go crazy playing on it, as this is clearly what bunkbeds are for in the eyes of the kids!

Changing bedding is a bit trickier than for a normal single bed but hey it depends what your other options are - i.e. I find changing bedding on the top bunk either than moving house for extra space required :)

Congratulations allyfe
You can start with putting the sign on the bedroom door

:) Glenshee - loving the idea of the 6 year old minimum coming with house-buying funding if you need them before your oldest turns 6.