bed problems. does anyone use extenable beds?

[misdee]

well, dd1 has bunkbeds in her bedroom. dd2 has a double bed in her room. dd2 has set up camp in dd1 room. unfortunatly dd2 is too young to risk using the bunkbeds (21months old) so they are both sharing the bottom bunk. which doesnt seem to be a problem atm, but dd1+2 are the same size, so i really need to sort out a bed for dd2 in dd1 room. space is a problem. i dont want to shell out loads of money on a junior bed really as dd2 grows pretty quick. does anyone use one of those extenadable beds from ikea (Vikare or similar) which extend to full size if needed. what are they like? it seems like a possible solution to something that may only be a short term problem, but need some consumer feedback. if anyone has a problem with them, please please let me know, as will be going up there soon to have a look at them properly. been keeping an eye out on ebay, but none local to us have come up.

My ds had an extendable bed from Ikea as his first bed. It was also very low down so if he fell out (which he never did) he wouldn't have to go very far!!! Also very strong and well made (mattress was crap though (foam)

my ds is 5 and has had an extendable bed from ikea since he was 18 months with no probs at all. He has just the foot end down at the mo which makes it plenty big enough. I think he will probably have to be about 5 ft before his feet hang out the bottom!
The only downside i can think of is that they aren't imo as comfy as say a divan or something but thats just my opinion after sleeping in it with him, ds has always slept like a log in it though

when its fully extended, can it take a full size matress, or a shorty one, so we can get more use out of it, as i hate foam matresses.

Can't remember if you've already tried this or if it is an option, but we still have dd in her cot with the drop side off. It is a protem measure until we move shortly and finally get around to buying her a proper bed, but she's been like this for almost 6 months! She is very petite though.

I lost an EBAY auction for an old-style Ikea extendable bed by 30 SECONDS last week!! Grr...must get broadband. So if anyone has one of the old-style ones with the curved headboards then I want one!

i tried it. dd2 is very large (size of 3-4yr old) so doesnt fit in her cot anymore.

yes it can take a full sized mattress but be aware that Ikea beds are not standard sizes. I think the normal mattress was slightly too narrow but it never caused a problem.