Bunk Beds

Thomas and Lily now share a room. Its not big, so she's still in the cot with the side off (she's nearly 2, he's nearly 4). Whats your guys experiences with bunks? I thought maybe doing that might save space and make Thomas feel like a real big boy sleeping on the top! Sheet changing isnt an issue, so getting up there to do that will be no worries.

Does her cot go down to a toddler bed?
maybe that will save needing to get her a single bed, and having two single's in the room.
But it wouldnt really make more space.

I personally wouldn't have a 4yr old on a top bunk purely becuase of the height if he somehow fell out or got scared and wanted you and tried to climb out.

A friend of mine had her kids in a shared room. He was in a bunk (top) approx 3 1/2yrs. The younger child was in the same room in a cot, approx 18 mths.

All good.

Then, the 18mth old worked out how to climb the ladder = bad.
So the mum took the ladder off, the older one went to the bottom bunk (not happy about that) and the younger one is still in the cot (now 2yrs).

I haven't asked her what the backup plan is!

You see, it's not the 4 yr old you need to worry about (so much) it's if the 2yr figures out the ladder.

DS2 went into the bottom bunk when he was out of his cot, so around 2yrs with DS1 6yrs on top bunk.

When DS3 was out of a cot he had a cabin bed which is an in between hight.

DS2&3 are close in age so they share the bunks.

Our bunks are metal so light to move & easy to make & they have a safety rail on the top.

This is what consumer says:

bunk bed danger

It just depends on your kids I say but you do need to consider the younger child as well. It may be appropriate for your 4 year old but what about your 2 year old? I know the 2 year old won't be sleeping up top but the bunk will still be there to climb on.

Can you maybe do a bed with a trundle bed? We have these with the trundles as spare beds underneath but if you have enough space to just set it up at night time it might be a go and then you can put the trundle down really easily in the mornings.

I have just put my girls into bunks (6 and 3). We haven't had any trouble with them, the top bunk has decent sides so no chance of rolling out and they know the rules of not standing or leaning or fighting on the top bunk. I have tried to make sure there is only ever one on the top bunk although I am not so strict on that one as the love to lye in bed together reading books.

The only think I don't like is making the top bunk, especially at the moment, usually I get the little one to climb up and make it (she loves making beds) or I just ignore it. I had almost considered putting the youngest one in the top as she wriggles less at night so doesn't mess up the blankets so much.

I have noticed though that in the middle of the night if the older one wants to get down she will wake her little sister and get her to turn on the light... I think I need to look into a night light for her.