Loft Beds

twinkletoes3126

What age would you feel comfortable putting your child in a loft bed? I am beginning to think about what kind of bed we will get for my son after his crib and I love the idea of a loft bed because of how much room it saves. However I don't know if I would feel comfortable putting my 2 year old in one. Just curious what others thought.

FemShep

We have a bunk bed for DD1, who is 9, and the manufacturer specifically says no children under 6 in the top bunk.  While I'm sure they say so for liability reasons, for many reasons, DD2 won't be moving in to the top bunk until she's much older (5 or 6).

While a loft or bunk bed has safety rails, the kids still need to climb up and down.  More importantly, though, I want to be able to snuggle with my LO, especially when we tuck her in, if she has a bad dream, or if she's sick.  It's really hard to give hugs on a loft bed or bunk bed.  Also, changing the sheets is a HUGE pain.  Keep that in mind for when it's time to potty train your LO.  Kids have accidents, and dealing with a loft bed would be horrific every time your LO had an accident.

Hope this helps!

twinkletoes3126

FemShep said:

We have a bunk bed for DD1, who is 9, and the manufacturer specifically says no children under 6 in the top bunk.  While I'm sure they say so for liability reasons, for many reasons, DD2 won't be moving in to the top bunk until she's much older (5 or 6).

While a loft or bunk bed has safety rails, the kids still need to climb up and down.  More importantly, though, I want to be able to snuggle with my LO, especially when we tuck her in, if she has a bad dream, or if she's sick.  It's really hard to give hugs on a loft bed or bunk bed.  Also, changing the sheets is a HUGE pain.  Keep that in mind for when it's time to potty train your LO.  Kids have accidents, and dealing with a loft bed would be horrific every time your LO had an accident.

Hope this helps!

Thanks! That does help. I think I'll do a toddler or twin bed and maybe eventually get a loft bed when he's older.

oliversmommy32912

My kid can't even safely on the couch most of the time. No way would I trust him in a lot bed. And I am by no means a helicopter parent.

EMOmamma

My nephew moved to a loft bed around 4, my son loves it (he's 3.5) so I think H & BIL are going to build him one this summer. It'll have stairs/slide, not a ladder, and we have a lot of stairs in our house so I'm ok with that setup.

dufferoo

I would feel more comfortable with a little one in a low-style loft bed, like this one from Ikea that still offers a little extra storage/playspace. This one actually converts from a loft to a non-loft, so you could always try it out and switch it whenever you felt your son was ready. (Though they don't officially recommend using it as a loft until age 6.) https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80253814/

ASmallWonder

We just moved our 4 year old (turns four in May) to a loft bed with a slide last week.  One tip for anyone considering a loft or bunk - do NOT get a pillow top mattress.  It makes the mattress so thick that it doesn't leave much of the rail above it.

twinkletoes3126

Thanks everyone! We will probably get an inexpensive toddler or twin bed and then get a loft when he's 5 or so.