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Parenting

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Original poster

What is the youngest you would put your kids in bunk beds?

24 replies

attheendoftheday · 30/03/2013 19:56

Just trying to work out what our sleeping arrangements will be when dd2 (currently a baby and in with us) is bigger.

Our room is tiny and won't fit a cot, but I'm co-sleeping anyway so this is ok. Dd1 has the biggest room (but our room has an en suite), I want dd2 to share with her at some point. We need a new bed for dd1, I was planning on getting bunk beds and putting her in the bottom bunk for now, and putting them in together in a year or so. But dd1 will only be 3, that's too young, isn't it?

What ages have other people had their dc in bunk beds from?

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StarsAboveYou · 30/03/2013 19:57

I have friends who have just bought bunks for their boys (5yo in the top and 3.4yo in the bottom)

Catbiscuit · 30/03/2013 19:59

Mine were 5 and 3 when they went in bunk beds. They are 7 and 5 now and always been fine

Catbiscuit · 30/03/2013 20:01

Oh just realised you mean 3 yo on top bunk. I do thinks that's a bit young.
How about a bed with another rolled under Neath that can be stored under durin day for room to play and pulled out for night so both normal bed height?

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juneybean · 30/03/2013 20:05

My charge has been in the bottom bunk since she was about 2.5

christinarossetti · 30/03/2013 20:05

Several friends of mine have put their kids in bunk beds when the oldest is 3 or 4. I do think it depends on the child.

I'm a bit anxious about bunk beds as my sister fell off a top bunk when she was 5, and I wouldn't trust my youngest not to sky jump off a top bunk...

TreeLuLa · 30/03/2013 20:07

We stayed at a holiday let and DS 3.6 was in the top bunk. He was fine with the ladder and there were good bars at the sides. He doesn't tend to get up in the night so we are considering bunk beds for him and his twin brother.

madamginger · 30/03/2013 20:11

I had my 4 and 2 year olds in bunks when dc3 was born. It was fine and neither of them fell out. But my 4 year old was so sensible and knew not to mess about on the top bunk

Tommychoochoo · 30/03/2013 20:20

We had same problem with ds1 and ds2. Ds1 was also 3, we got a low sleeper bed - the ones with the curtains underneath. The one we got was age 3+ as its only at chest height. We then put a toddler bed underneath. There wasn't loads of room underneath for ds2 but he could sit up on his bed. This worked for us until ds1 was 5 and we got proper bunk beds

Original poster

attheendoftheday · 30/03/2013 21:05

Thank you for the replies - it looks like most people think 3 is a bit young for the top bunk.

Looks like I will have to have a rethink. A pull out is certainly a possibility, or maybe something like Tommy's set up.

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MiaowTheCat · 30/03/2013 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nooka · 30/03/2013 23:16

We moved dd directly from her cot into the bottom bunk of a set of L-shaped bunks (these are lower than normal bunks) ds was probably under four at the time (there's a 16mth gap between them). The top bunk had a sloping ladder and rails.

We're still using the bunks ten years later, so a good investment.

Original poster

attheendoftheday · 31/03/2013 08:55

That's interesting, nooka. What are L shaped bunks? Where did you get them?

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yellowhousewithareddoor · 31/03/2013 08:59

I think ROSPA (?) recommend 6 years old to use bunk beds as even the person on the bottom can play on top. High number of accidents falling off apparently.

Made us reconsider.

extracrunchy · 31/03/2013 09:09

Google Bunkcot!! Coolest thing ever. And they do convertible ones now! Bit pricey though might be able to get hold of one second hand...

MousyMouse · 31/03/2013 09:16

depends on the child.
dc1 is 6 and a top bunk would not be safe for him as moves so much during sleep. sleeps on a very low bed where he falls out every night even with bed guards.
dc2 is 3 and sleeps very calmly so high sleeper/top bunk would be ok.

nooka · 31/03/2013 17:54

We got ours from a company called Flexa. The beds can be configured in different ways - the L shape means one bunk is at right angles to the other, so only half of the bottom bunk is covered by the top.

I can't find a picture of our beds, but like these

PollyEthelEileen · 31/03/2013 17:56

Ds1 went into a bunk bed around age 3. He never fell out.

Original poster

attheendoftheday · 01/04/2013 07:41

Thank you. The L shaped bunks are interesting. Bunk cots look good but are £!

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Inncogneetow · 01/04/2013 08:03

Ds2 went into top bunk at age 3. He never fell out. The boys did have a very small room though, that was only used for sleeping, not playing. I think he problem is mor when kids muck around with bunk beds during the day.

It does depend on the child though: at that age mine were very rule bound. If I told them not to ever climb on the bunk bed, I knew they would comply.

[ Sighs wistfully at those memories of compliant children. Ds1 is 15 now and rebels against every single thing I want him to do!]

SouthBySouthWest · 01/04/2013 15:48

I have a DS1 who is just about to turn 3, and a 7mth DS2. The older one has had one of those Ikea Kura reversible beds since he moved into a bed (over a year ago). He was sleeping with it as a low bed, but for the last few months, it's been turned around and he's sleeping with it as a high bed. The good thing is that when it is set up with the bed in the high position, you can put a mattress on the floor below it, and it becomes like a low set of bunk beds (top bed is about chest height).

It would be an easy, and cheap way of having a bunk bed, without the height, and you could add the canopy to the top bunk to stop any worries about falling out. Also, when your youngest moves to the bottom, they will be so near the floor that you don't have to worry about them falling out.

PiHigh · 01/04/2013 15:55

DD1 went in the top bunk when she was 3.4. I knew that she wouldn't try to get out of it during the night though. She would always shout through to us.

Dd2 is now 3.7 and no way would I put her in the top bunk because she's a totally different personality.

Kw2013 · 01/04/2013 16:17

Hi.. DD begged for a high bed when she was 3 .. After watching her climb up and down cousins several times we thought we would give it a try (3 years 7 months) .. We bought one that she couldn't roll out of it and the ladders are curved and have grip on each step so that its easier for young children.. She's been in 5 months now, goes toilet by herself and not so much as a slip.. She is quite sensible for her age though and I know she would never try jump out etc (:

MummyPig24 · 01/04/2013 20:00

Mine were 4.2 and 22 months when they went into bunk beds. No problems at all, still in them at 5.5 and 3.1.

elise2307 · 06/02/2019 18:51

This is exactly what I was going to ask too. Mine are currently just 3 and 5 but we need the other spare room for work so they'll be sharing. We are getting a small ish bunk set from GLTC and hopefully as long as the little one stays on the bottom bunk and the big one on the top we should be OK!

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