child bunk beds

[mickspangle]

With the arrival of our second child at the start of September, we’re looking to put both our kids in the same room in bunk beds. As some of you know we’re on a NB (rather than a WB), so space is something of a premium. Our little boy is currently in a moses basket, but this isn’t going to last him much longer

 

I’ve chatted to the guy who makes these bunk bedsand he’s happy to pretty much make anything I ask for. We’ve pretty much settled on getting some cot bed sized bunks made (mattress size 140x70cm) as although a custom size might make more use of the space, having a standard mattress size means cheaper mattresses and fitted sheets etc. I quite like them, not least because the top one will be about the same level as a porthole so my daughter will be able to peer out in the morning

 

I’m sure our 3 yo will be fine on the top, provided the boat doesn’t heel over in the middle of the night (beds are running lengthways). What I’m thinking about is how to keep our baby boy from falling out the bottom bunk? Obviously with the clearance from the floor a drop down side isn’t going to work, but I need something that will be safe. Current thought is to try using the kind of netting used on travel cot sides but am open to ideas.

 

The reason we’re going for standalone bunk beds is that the childrens room is in what used to be our saloon. We’re trying to sell the boat and get a WB, so don’t want to do anything permanent or built in.

 

Any suggestions? I’ve ruled out hammocks before anyone starts...

[Guest]

Any suggestions? I’ve ruled out hammocks before anyone starts...

 

We have had caravans in the past even when ours were very young.

 

A couple of them had a net type arrangement on the top bunk which unrolled from the bottom edge and clipped into fasteners near the top.

 

Similar to this -

 

Edited October 22, 2012 by The Dog House

[Leni]

http://www.amazon.co...s/baby/60288031

 

Amazon seem to sell lots of this sort,which tuck under the mattress.

[Proper Job]

We used to jam ourselves in with our life jackets when I was in the merch' when it got a bit bouncy

a. it stopped you falling out of bed

b. you knew were it was if you needed it

[mickspangle]

Thanks for the replies so far. I think the guard rail on the top will be fine. My concern is putting a 4 month old in the bottom. Whatever I use will have to be escape proof when he starts crawling/rolling over.

 

If there's a gap at the side he is sure to find it!

[Leni]

If there's a gap at the side he is sure to find it!

The ones which slip under the mattress are supposed to be 'tip-over-proof', as the weight of the mattress plus child on them 'anchors' them. You could use two overlapping slightly to be sure they were long enough to reach the entire length of the bed, and if you want to make them really secure fit a couple of fire-guard or stair gate type hooks and clips at each end to stop him forcing his way out from behind them!

 

Mind you, experience has taught me that a really determined toddler will find a way out of almost any 'secure' cot or child bed!

Edited October 22, 2012 by Leni

[Eddimonton]

My daughters growling up on our boat and has a small cabin with a cabin bed which we have built ourselves. We always used a long length of wood as a guard but more recently bought a guard from ikea (£15?) which has worked a treat.

 

Good luck!

[mickspangle]

My daughters growling up on our boat

 

I can see why she needs to be fenced in!

[Ray T]

Offshore yachts have pull up flexible cot sides to keep people in bed when the boat is healed or in rough weather, similar to that shown by Martin (The Dog House).

 

Another avenue of research?

[luctor et emergo]

Hmm, as it's not just about avoiding falling out, how about straps? Specialist mail order is available..

[mickspangle]

I'll pop round and borrow some of your specialist literature Mr Emergo

[BruceinSanity]

We found a kit consisting of a large white diamond mesh storage net plus a long length of bungee plus plastic hooks like pipe fixing which we screwed round the edge of the bunk. Worked for the grandson until he was three, after which he slept unprotected with no bother.

 

I now can't find where we got it from, but googling "storage nets" brings up quite a choice.

.

 

[nathanstron]

We always used a long length of wood as a guard but more recently bought a guard......Click here

[carlt]

Not had one fall out so far...

 

[STUBAG]

Hmm, as it's not just about avoiding falling out, how about straps? Specialist mail order is available..

I'm sure you're all sorted on this now, but, Mrs Ashbridge gives me half a Viagra tablet every night before bed-time.....stops me rolling out of bed.

[DeanS]

Thanks for the replies so far. I think the guard rail on the top will be fine. My concern is putting a 4 month old in the bottom. Whatever I use will have to be escape proof when he starts crawling/rolling over.

 

If there's a gap at the side he is sure to find it!

 

 

One thing to think of is that in a boat cold air stays near the floor level, so if you're contemplating this in winter, a curtain would also help....over the netting perhaps.

[sueb]

One thing to think of is that in a boat cold air stays near the floor level, so if you're contemplating this in winter, a curtain would also help....over the netting perhaps.

An eco fan helps

[Arthur Brown]

Current hospital thinking is to check that there is no way for a person to get trapped between the mattress and the fence rail. This can include putting a pillow under each side of a mattress to make a gentle channel that is less easy to get out of.

 

However when I was a toddler I had to be recovered from finding my way onto a shelf 7 feet above the floor, and could escape from a timber railed cot before they reached the door. NOTHING is child proof.

[Radiomariner]

Current hospital thinking is to check that there is no way for a person to get trapped between the mattress and the fence rail. This can include putting a pillow under each side of a mattress to make a gentle channel that is less easy to get out of.

 

However when I was a toddler I had to be recovered from finding my way onto a shelf 7 feet above the floor, and could escape from a timber railed cot before they reached the door. NOTHING is child proof.

 

 

Slightly

Ah! That reminds me of my seafaring days. A deckhand, who had been sleeping in the buff in and upper bunk started his day by swinging his legs over the side of the bunk and lit up a fag. When his fag was finished he then slid off the bunk to the deck about 4 feet below.

Unfortunately, while enjoying his nicotine dosage, his "family jewls" had slipped down into the gap between the mattress and bunk board (The board that keeps the mattress from sliding from the bunk in rough weather) The injury was quite severe and required hospitalisation. The job of writing the accident report was given to the third mate, a young 22 year old girl. The report was hilarious.

I was the Radio officer at the time. The operator at the other end (Portishead Radio) had to break my transmission to wipe the tears from his eyes.

At the time the shipping Co. would publicise all accident details in the monthly news rag. We all looked forward to seeing it in print.

When the News rag arrived our report was very much abridged to : - "Deckhand. Injured jumping from bunk bed. Ten days lost time!"

[RichardH]

With the arrival of our second child at the start of September, we’re looking to put both our kids in the same room in bunk beds. As some of you know we’re on a NB (rather than a WB), so space is something of a premium. Our little boy is currently in a moses basket, but this isn’t going to last him much longer

 

I’ve chatted to the guy who makes these bunk bedsand he’s happy to pretty much make anything I ask for. We’ve pretty much settled on getting some cot bed sized bunks made (mattress size 140x70cm) as although a custom size might make more use of the space, having a standard mattress size means cheaper mattresses and fitted sheets etc. I quite like them, not least because the top one will be about the same level as a porthole so my daughter will be able to peer out in the morning

 

I’m sure our 3 yo will be fine on the top, provided the boat doesn’t heel over in the middle of the night (beds are running lengthways). What I’m thinking about is how to keep our baby boy from falling out the bottom bunk? Obviously with the clearance from the floor a drop down side isn’t going to work, but I need something that will be safe. Current thought is to try using the kind of netting used on travel cot sides but am open to ideas.

 

The reason we’re going for standalone bunk beds is that the childrens room is in what used to be our saloon. We’re trying to sell the boat and get a WB, so don’t want to do anything permanent or built in.

 

Any suggestions? I’ve ruled out hammocks before anyone starts...

 

We used the Tomy bed guards for our kids - no probs at all.

[carlt]

An eco fan helps

Yes if the little ones fall out then a carefully aimed ecofan will blow them back into bed before they hit the ground.

[romarni123]

Why not use a travel cot for the small child.You can put it away during the day.I would be worried the kids head could get stuck in the rails of the bunk beds unless you have them solid.And you would only need one bed then.The toddler beds are small but big enough for a three yr old