Conference moira::parenting_v3

    My brothers slept on bunkbeds for years and they have no back or any
    other problems for that matter.  I guess if buy good mattreses for the
    beds they will have no problems.  Make sure you can get a firm mattress
    for the beds and your boys will be fine.
    
    Liz

    
    I believe that it is possible to get something called a "bunkie board"
    for use with bunk and trundle beds.  They provide similar benefits
    (albeit not as good) to the box spring but are only about 1-2" thick
    and cost around $40 if I remember correctly.   
    
    Carol

    Gee ... the bunk beds we had (as kids) always had a box spring.  And the 
    trundle beds we have now have a box spring.  The spring in the trundles
    is only about 5 inches thick, but it sure doesn't feel any different
    than a 'normal' bed.
    
    Are you SURE you can't get a box spring??
    

    All of us sleep on "platform" beds - no boxspring, but a good solid 4-5
    inches of foam.  They are great.  No back problems at all, and a lot of
    support.

As long as the bed supports the child and doesn't sag or isn't too soft,
then the type of mattress (foam or innersprung) or bedbase (sprung, slat
or platform) really doesn't matter in the least.  The only consideration
is that the type of mattress be suitable for the base ...  some inner
springs are not good on slats, depending on their spacing.  There is
a lot of "religion" to this discussion I'm sure, and not technical fact.

The thickness of the mattress doesn't really matter either as long as it
meets the criteria of support and softness.  Better faom matteresses do have
different densities of foam to provide surface softness but strong support.
Bear in mind that the bed will be carrying a lighter child's weight and
not your own.

For innersprings, here construction and spring count of the matteress matters,
for long term firmness, but the padding, which is typically foam or felt
determine the softness.  Construction matters considering your kids will be
using the bed from time to time like a trampoline!  There is nothing worse
than having a spring pop out!

You get what you pay for to some extent, but because of the differences in
construction and terminology, comparison is difficult.

Note that mattresses purchased separately usually do not carry the same
warranty that is advertised.  THe warranties are generally for the 
combination.  Note that the warranties usually pro-rated after the
first year, so quickly aren't worth a lot anyway!

Stuart

    My advice to you would be investigate!  Look at a few different models,
    lie on them yourself and see what you think.  We have bunkbeds for our
    boys and they're great!  We got them at This End Up, and they have the
    padded "bunkie boards" underneath the mattresses.  The mattress and
    board comes as a set I believe.  They are quite comfortable, quite
    strong, and firm.  I wouldn't hesitate to sleep on them myself.  In
    fact my husband, all 200 lbs, has.  And yes, they are used as a
    trampoline daily! ;*}
    

I agree with the other notes that a platform bed can be just as comfortable 
and healthy as an innerspring bed.

You didn't ask, but if your interested on comments on the other "health" 
issue, namely falling out, see Parenting_v2, note 1503.

Clay    

    AJ sleeps on a "Mates Bed", which is pretty much a platform bed with
    drawers under.  We thought when we bought it that we'd just move his
    box spring and mattress from the frame onto the new bed, we sure were
    wrong on that one.  The box spring makes the whole thing too high, it
    defeated the purpose of bookcase headboard.  Of course we discovered
    this at 7 o'clock after the Sears warehouse had closed, so he spent
    that night on his mattress on the floor, until we could purchase what
    Sears calls a "posture board". It 's a board about an inch+ thick
    covered with brown waxy paper, it cost 39.95.  My husband's opinion is
    that for 40dollars he could've made one cheaper.
    
    I've sat on his bed, it's quite firm and feel that orthopedically it's
    just fine.  My husband who is about 200 pounds has laid on the bed with
    AJ a few times, and it doesn't give at all.  Personally I wouldn't
    worry.
    
    Just my .02 worth!
    Lyn

    I have done some looking around and have found notes dealing with
    bunkbeds in a general sense, but what I haven't been able to find yet
    was a note dealing with "when", more so at what age or whatever.
    
    So, my question is... I have two girls ages 2 and 4, we are
    contemplating buying a set of bunkbeds, the oldest would naturally
    be sleeping on top, but are they still too young for something like
    bunkbeds?
    
    I guess we have a fear that the oldest may wake up in the middle of the
    night and still half asleep attempt to head for our room (we are
    working on this still, ha ha)... we are afraid that she might hurt
    herself... so anyone out there that has bunkbeds, at what age did you
    get them for your children, and what would you suggest?
    
                                        Much thanks,
    
                                                    Perry F.
                                                   ---------- 

Perry,

In addition to the replies you get here, you may wish to check out Parenting 
V2, note 1503.  The base note in 1503 was entered by someone with children 5 
and 2.

See note 7.11 of this notesfile to information on accessing Parenting V2.

Clay Satow

    
    We bought my son bunkbeds when he was 2.  This was the type of bed we
    chose for his room. (he is 3 now)  Most of the time he sleeps on the
    bottom, and likes to play on the top, but once in a while he likes to
    sleep on top.  We haven't had any problems with this at all, BUT,
    Spencer still doesn't get out of bed on his own!!  He will call me when
    he is ready to get up, even after naps!!!!!!  
    
    elizabeth
    

    
    My nephew doesn't have a bunk bed, but he has a loft bed which is
    raised off the ground about 4-1/2 feet or so and requires a ladder to
    climb in.  He got it when he was about 2-1/2.  
    
    Personally, I was skeptical at first.  It has a railing along the side
    to keep him in, if he should roll.  I believe he has fallen out upon
    occasion (I think they laid some blankets underneath to cushion a fall)
    but seems to do very well with it.
    
    He, too picked it out himself when they went shopping for a "big" boys'
    bed.
    
    I can understand your concern, but it looks like alot of children have
    this type of sleeping arrangement at a relatively young age.
    
    Sue
    
    

    
    I remember sleeping in bunk beds with my older sister, she had the
    top. We moved out of the house with the bunkbeds into a house with
    bedroom big enough to use them as separate beds when I was almost
    4. I don't know how long we had them before that, but I was 3 years
    and 3 months when my sister was born so we had them at least by then
    cause all three of us were in one bedroom and the baby had the crib.
    
    Patty