Howdy, mamas! I have a little girl who just turned four and another little girl who is almost 1. We are contemplating having another kiddo (sometime in the next year we'll start trying), and we would likely move the girls together into one room. Our bedrooms are very small, and there would not be room for two beds unless they are bunk beds. What is an appropriate age for my oldest being in the top bunk? And how would I keep the younger one off the top bunk? LOL I'm sure we can come up with another solution somehow if bunks aren't good, but not sure exactly what that may be. Thanks, mamas!
Have you considered a trundle bed? Safer, takes up less space. But maybe akward or a pain to mess with daily.
I think they actually usually post an age on them, it might be six! But I think if you think your daughter would be OK in it, then it's fine. You could get one that has a ladder that's not permanently attached, and take it off during the day so it's not an option for the little one. Put up the ladder for big girl to go to bed, with strict instructions that it's not a place to play.
I like Kate B's suggestion of removing the ladder. We actually don't have a ladder on ours - well, we do, but we pushed a dresser up against it. Our older son, who sleeps on top, can climb up without the ladder. Our younger son is just now figuring it out, so I'll have to come up with a plan b. Still, it's definitely doable.
As long as you feel comfortable with the older girl on the top bunk, I would go for it. They are going to be an excellent choice long term. If you sense the younger one is too capable for her own good, just rearrange the furniture until she's a little older.
My daughters were 3 (top bunk) and 1 1/2 (bottom bunk)... now they're 6 and 7, and we haven't had a problem!!
If your 4 year old is anything like my 3 year old monkey was, she'll be fine :) The younger daughter didn't even TRY to get on the top bunk, LOL!
I first got our bunk bed when my daughter was four.
My sons were 13 and 2 when I put them in bunks. Andy was four before I let him use the top bunk. No one ever fell out and so far as I know they didn't die either.
If you are afraid of the height a trundle would work though they would have to make the bed and put it away every day for the space.
My daughter started sleeping on top bunk of IKEA bunk bed (it's not as high as most) at age 5 and little brother was age 2. We pinned a blanket around ladder during day to keep little bro from climbing up since ladder was not detachable. I recently started pinning the blanket on the ladder again to keep our 3rd child (18 months old) from climbing up it. He can scale that ladder in no time flat! Best wishes!
I believe the reccomended age is 6, but many people start much earlier. We have them and instead of a ladder we bought a staircase that goes with it. I felt it was a little safer during the night when my son needed to use to the bathroom. My daughter who is 2 does climb up there, but we try to keep the door closed.
