Bunk Beds: Yes or No?

http://www.simplybunkbeds.com/twin-over-full/wood-bunk-be...

I hope that link works. I was looking at bunk beds sorta like this, with the stairs and not a ladder. It has a lot of storage and is a lot safer then the bunk beds with a ladder.

We had great luck with bunks. I fell out when I was a kid but that was before they had the kind with rails. =)

My sister and I had bunk beds at age 5-6. She fell off the top bunk and broke her jaw! If possible wait awhile longer!

mine were 6 and 2. worked great, and was a huge help in the teeny tiny house we lived in then. there were occasional inadvertent swan dives, but no injuries. they got bonked around way worse playing with friends and riding bikes and horses.
khairete
S.

Not safe, and older kids have had serious accidents in them as well. Why not a twin with a trundle underneath that can be rolled under the bed during the day?

Wow, I am in the minority on this one. My boys are 2 1/2 and almost 5, and we've had the bunkbeds for about a year. I believe my older boy slept on the bottom bunk until he was 4. At 18 months we moved our youngest into the bottom bunk. We are very strict about playing on the top bunk. We almost never allow it.

Our top bunk is very safe, though. The sides of it go about 12 inches all around except for about a 2 foot space at the foot of the bed where our son climbs down. Much safer than the bunk bed my brother and sister shared when they were 2 and 5.

We've never had a problem with our oldest being about to get down in the middle of the night to use the restroom. He's very careful and has not fallen.

I agree changing the sheets on the top bunk is not fun, but it's not too bad.

Honestly, as much as my boys climb at the park and try to climb our furniture (most of which is not allowed), I suppose my thoughts are that the chances of them falling off the top bunk are actually much less than the chances of them falling off the monkey bars.

.

My kids are still pretty young, but I am thinking (toward the future) about maybe a day bed with trundle. Or perhaps two captain's beds (with drawers underneath.) Both are space saving options. See if there's something you like.

Mine never had any accidents, but I sure hated changing the sheets on the bunkbeds. They were 3 and 4 when I put them in theirs. They had them up for about 4 years, then we got them twin waterbeds after we bought one for ourselves and loved it.

I"ve had the same experience as Jennifer G. My grandchildren slept in bunk beds when the youngest was 2 or 3. Their beds sound like hers, too. There is a railing all around the upper bunk with the exception of a small space where the ladder is.

My granddaughter, when she was 7 or 8 liked to pile up pillows which caused them to be even with the railing and she fell out one night. She climbed back into bed without even waking up. chuckle There is very little chance that your little one would fall out let alone get hurt if he did.

I would not put them in bunk beds. Too many accidents happen. So not worth the risk IMO.

NO, NO, NO. I met my best friend for much of my life in Summer Band right before 7th grade. She was one of 12 kids. I spent so much time in their tiny, tiny, 3 bedroom home growing up. They are still to this day one of the closest and most loving families I have ever met.

My friend had a son that fell off the top bunk and died. He was in elementary school and was just gone. He was not roughhousing, or wrestling, or anything. He just fell off accidentally and was dead.

Please don't risk your children like this. Find another way to arrange their room where they can have their beds at a regular height. Putting the head of one bed against the wall and the other against it, like an L is a good way of having the center of the room open.

We have a 12X11 room and I have had a queen, a twin, a small/narrow chest of drawers, a computer desk, (Rather small one), and a TV stand in it. Our AC went out one Summer and we didn't have the money to buy a new central unit. We had a window unit we put in the smaller room. We lived in there almost all Summer. We still had plenty of room around each bed to walk, between them and all around each side except the head of them.There was also room for the kids to play some toys, but they mostly played on the twin bed.

It can be done and be safer for them.

My ex MIL had these beds in her den. The one scooted up under the corner unit and it sat like a cool chair sitting area instead of sitting on a bed. When the beds were made the sheets and covers were tucked in under the edges so they could be more tidy and also fit in the area they were scooting in to.

This one is very simple, you could do the 2 beds on Hollywood frames with wheels and just a regular table that was wide enough for the bed to scoot under it.
http://www.furniturexo.com/Haley-Bedroom-Set-w-2-Bed-Corn...

This one has stationary beds, they don't scoot under on one side. Think of the storage that you could have in that center area. It could be where it could open on top and you could put winter blankets, off season clothes, extra toys, all kinds of things could be stored in there.
http://www.pbteen.com/products/store-it-bed-and-corner-un...

This is a good picture of the ones that move and scoot under the one side. I think these could be built by someone handy too. It's just a box with a hole on one side.
http://www.thefurniture.com/store/ASHL-SD-MSTL-TWIN-BDRM-...

Here is what my nephews 6&3 did with their bunk beds. Top bunk, grab the ceiling fan spin around and land on the dresser, start again. I am not sure how many "laps" they got in before my sister and I walked in on them ... they were supposed to be resting for 30 min, the monitor was off and we did not realize it until it was close to the 30 min being up ... we were on the front porch enjoying the sun & setting up a water balloon fight on the front lawn for that time! Take this and add it to your arsenal of things to be aware of.

They still sound too young yet. My stepsons had bunks when they were 8 and 9 and we moved into our first home with a very small bedroom that they had to share, so the bunks helped save space. But changing the sheets on the top bunk was a pain!

Talk to your pediatrician, perhaps or check with the AAP or look at some bunk beds that you like and consult the manufacturer on age recommendations. This is my thinking: If my son needed to get out of bed in the middle of the night, could he climb down the ladder with no problem by himself in the dark? Or if my youngest wanted to climb up in the middle of the night, in the dark, could he? My answer is no for my own two boys so the answer is no for me.
2 and 4 sounds really pretty young. I'm thinking minimum 6 and 8...minimum.

Bunk beds these days come with rails built all the way around. Accidents can still happen but not nearly as often as in the post. Especially if you are vigilant about making sure they dont use them as play grounds. My boys were in bunkbeds by ages 2 and 4. We then bought storage bins that slid under the lower bunk to hold lego's and action figures. They slept in them for about 8 years until the older one moved into his own room. my grand sons are using them now.

I think the recommended age is over 6 or something. That's for the top bunk. We have two sets of bunkbeds in one of the bedrooms. our 8 year old sleeps on the top of one. Then our 4 and 2 year old sleep on the bottom bunks. No one sleeps on the other top bunk yet. When our 4 year old turns 5, we're going to give it a try with the top bunk. He's wanted to sleep up there for a year now! Then, when our 12 month old is ready, we'll move her to the bottom bunk (the one that will open when 4 yr old moves to top bunk). I have no idea if that made sense! But I hope that helps. I think 4 is a touch too young, especially with boys who tend to be part super hero and think they are invisible. But you know your boys best. I would definitely get them in a year or two, though. We bought ours from IKEA.

We are buying this bed from Ikea. We're buying the tent also that covers the top - so no chance of jumping out plus it looks really cool. Since there is no real bottom bunk, your 2 year-old can sleep on a twin mattress on the floor...no falls for him either. You can buy an ergonomic twin mattress and there's no difference between him sleeping on that or sleeping on a mattress in a crib in terms of comfort and back support. Also since there is no bunk on the bottom, it's a very short climb to the top so the top bunk isn't scary high.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10123996

My son has a twin over full bunk bed and I hate it! I got bunk beds so there would be a place for friends to sleep when they spent the night. The friends just sleep with him in the full bed. To change the sheets in full bed, we have to take the mattress off the bed which entails moving other furniture out of the way (we have the bed close to the wall). We've never really changed the sheets on the top bed since it doesn't ever get used but to do that you have to be on the bed. It's not very easy to change sheets when your crawling on the bed. I wish I had known how much of a pain it was going to be before we got the bunk beds. Had I known, I wouldn't have gotten them.

I fell off the top bunk bed when I was very young (I wanna say around 3 or 4.) I was climbing up to get on top and somehow slipped. I hit my chin on the way down somehow and busted my chin open and had to go get 6 stitches. I had to be strapped down. I was very young yet I remember it. I still have the scar.

You can put them both on a double bed against one wall, use a safety rail -even at this low height.

Gail

I think it totally depends on your children. Some kids move more in their sleep than others. Some are more mature than others and will follow the rules. My sister's kids sleep in a bunk bed. Her 4 year old sleeps on the top bunk and her 6 year old and 2 year old sleep on the bottom bunk. They have had the bunk bed for at leaast a year and have had no problems. However, my neighbor had to take her bunk beds apart and use them as twin beds because her 10 year old fell out of bed (the top bunk) on more than one occassion. I guess he is a very restless sleeper. Do you think your child will use the bed only for sleeping? Does your child get up often during the night (climbing down in the dark is potentially dangerous)? Is your child more cautious or a daredevil? Does your child move much while sleeping? Does your child understand the dangers of heights? How well does your child follow the rules? Is your child agile enough to safely climb up and down confidently? I really think you need to consider your children's abilities.

I would say they are too young still. My kids are close to that age , 2 and 5. Whatever the older one does the younger one wants to try and I think 2 is way too young to be on the top bunk even to play. I understand about the space issue because we have that too. Some other options that might work are trundle beds with one stored underneath the other or twin beds that can be stacked to bunk beds later when the kids are older. I would wait until the little one is at least 5 or older.

BTW, my husband and his brother had bunk beds and he fell and broke a collar bone--he was about 8 and the younger brother.

Also similar questions have been on here before so you could check out those too.

Bunk beds are one of the leading causes of childhood head injuries. Personally, I'd wait until they are much, much older.

They have children's beds that are on the ground a pull out two make two twins.

NO bunk beds at their age.

Blessings....

hi.
I think it is too young too.But it does depend on the kids too. For my 8 years old top bunk bed is still a no as she is a very restless sleeper ,my six years old might be ok on it but i am not willing to chance it with so many accidents known with it. And they usually not safer as the child gets older .As older kids like to play on it and makes stupid dares. 10 years old neighbor boy teached his 6 years old sister at the time how to "fly" .They are 14 and 10 now and their mom told me this story as i was mentioning the possibility of bunkbed for my 8 and six years old with my six years old on top as he is less restless..The girl ended up with mild concussion due to her fall but is fortunately ok.We also knew more than one neighbor when we lived in an apartment complex that had to take their kids to the E.R for stitches .
Hope this help you make an aware decision with whatever your decide to do.
N.

My 4-year-old has a set of bunk beds. He is fine. We do not allow him to jump from it or on it, though, and he is well behaved, so he doesn't. The problem may be with the 2-year-old. My 2-year-old wants to be on the top very badly. We have to keep the older son's door closed to keep him out. I am not really so worried that he will fall, but the ceiling fan spins near the top of the ladder and there is no way to set up the bed that it does not go over the bed somewhere. I know that the 2-year-old can climb up and down without problems and our children do not jump or stand on any furniture. Without the ceiling fan, he would be fine. I really do think it depends on your children. Good luck!!!

The safety issue never crossed my mind bc kids will find a way to hurt themselves in a padded room! :) However, I HATE making them!!!

My kids have bunkbeds & love them. My son has been sleeping on the top since about 5 when his sister started a "big girl" bed. Yup, they've tried jumping off them, but I caught them before that could happen. Yup, my daughter has fallen off the top-she's fine. But, if I lived my life by "what might happen" my kids would live in a bubble (and probably still get hurt). Bunkbeds are the only option for us right now. They have to share a room.

Not the 2 year old.
Maybe the 4 year old.
Plus, there is NO guarantee, the 2 year old will stay in the bottom bunk...
When you are not there or not looking, he will climb up. Or his older brother will encourage him to. Or it will be a game.

My friend has 3 boys. VERY active, and rascal boys. Not trouble makers. Just very active with immense imaginations and very rascal.
Her youngest, who is 4, fell off the top, they have hard flooring. Luckily he did not hit his head. But, he broke his arm.
The younger one who is supposed to be on the bottom bunk... ALWAYS climbed up to the top bunk. Of course to play with brother.
Their other kid, has his own room.

It really depends on, the personality of your kids.
But boys, are very physical and very spider-man like.
And a ladder is very tempting to climb, for any kid no matter what age.
A child of 4, cannot 'supervise' a younger sibling.

I have a 4 year old boy. If that were me, I would not put him in a bunk bed, nor have him in the top bunk. At all.
Nor would I have my eldest child, my daughter, be responsible for supervising him. At night.

Don't use it near a ceiling fan! Of course!

My kids are almost 3 and almost 5. They have had bunkbeds since around christmas. We love them! My 4 yr old started out sleeping on top and my 2 yr old on the bottom...but now, they both sleep together on the bottom. We havent had any problems with anyone falling or acting crazy and hanging off the top bunk or anything. I think maybe it just depends on your kids. My youngest gets on the top all the time and makes his way down just fine :)

I also think they're still too young. We had bunk beds for our boys, and we decided to separate them to 2 side by side twin beds. Every time I changed the sheets, I was cursing (in my mind)- I was so glad we got the kind that could be separated!!

My nephews share a small room they are almost 6 and just over 4 their bunk beds are separated right now after the younger one ended up with stitches. Bunk beds made me ver nervous my 2 had a trundle bed while they shared a room. Since they no longer share a room my oldest has the trundle bed in his room and my youngest has a regular bed.
If it were me I'd rather be safe and lack some space by aving the bunk beds separated for right now. When they are a little older you can put the beds together.

i think thats a little young. i would worry that they would fall off the top bunk while playing. you should try and find childrens twin beds they are smaller then regular twin beds.

My boys are 7 and 8 and we put them in bunkbeds 3 years ago. We do not have the infamous fan over their bed thankfully. I had the beds apart for a while till I thought they were old enough. I still have to remind them that we don't play on the top bunk. They are good about it but it is the neighbor kids that come over to play that have to be reminded.
I have seen this awesome twin bed with a trundle bed underneath on wheels that pulls out. This one was a wood so the trundle was like a wood box on wheels. Usually I see metal trundles and I have one under the bunk beds for friends or cousins sleeping over. You could just push the bed back under every morning. Now I do not know if will will slide back under with all the sheets and comforters we use in the winter time.

We have a low loft bed for our boys(only 34 " off the floor), they had it since they were 2 and 4 . Very compact and safe at the same time. It also comes with the slide and play curtain for the buttom bed. So it's a bed that sleeps 2 at night time, during the day it's a fort/space ship/playhouse/playground:)

The beds Momma of one has put the link on are in my son's bedroom who is 4 and the beds are taken apart due to the fact he was jumping from the top bunk to the ceiling fan to swing like Spiderman, the stairs are great but make the best jumping off spot to ambush your unsuspecting friends. The beds are now on the floor and I use the stairs to keep toys displayed so he does not jump off. The other downside was trying to make the top bunk which was almost impossible. We also went with the trundle option for three beds instead of the drawers for storage so our two grandchildren could spend the night with their uncle.

I think I would worry too much - they are still pretty little. I would wait until they are 4 and 6 at least. My boys have bunk beds but I didn't let the youngest on top bunk until he was 6.

I would advise against bunk beds. I had them growing up, I was the oldest so I got to sleep on the top bunk. I was hanging off the top doing something to my sister, I let go and fell face first onto the floor. I broke my nose.

Studies have shown that kids who use bunk beds are at much higher risk of injury, from falls off the ladders or out of bed. It's a long way down to the floor. If you're set on bunk beds, I wouldn't introduce them until the kids are much older (maybe 6 and 8).