Loft beds are a fun way for kids to enjoy bedtime, but they come with risks. If you’re considering a loft bed for your toddler, read this article to make sure you can provide the safest sleeping situation.
My kids enjoyed sleeping in loft and bunk beds on sleepovers and vacations. But as a parent, I was very concerned about allowing them to sleep in these high-rise beds, especially when they were just toddlers.
In this article, you’ll learn about the precautions to take when using a loft and how to find the safest option.
This article will cover:
- Are loft beds safe for toddlers?
- Are low loft beds safe for toddlers?
- Safety tips
- Why do toddlers love loft beds?
- Best toddler loft bed
- Where to buy a loft bed?
- How to build a homemade DIY toddler loft bed?
- Takeaway
Are loft beds safe for toddlers?
Loft beds are unsafe for children under 6 years old, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Half of all injuries from these bunks are of kids younger than 6.
With this in mind, maturity is also important to take into consideration. Even if your child is over 6, they need to be developmentally ready to follow the rules, too.
Additionally, in 2000, the CPSC made manufacturing guidelines to prevent injuries and death from children becoming trapped in loft and bunk beds.
The guidelines make sure all loft beds in the U.S. are safely constructed, without openings that a baby could get stuck in. They also require a warning label with important information about the product. The CPSC offers other safety tips, which I’ll go into detail about later in this article.
Possible injuries
Loft and bunk beds have an increased risk of harm, especially for young children. There are over 36,000 injuries from lifted beds in the U.S. each year, including broken bones, cuts and scrapes, and head and neck injuries. Most of these result from falls during sleep or play.
Concussions and head injuries can be a harmful and scary experience for your child. Studies show that falls from heights over 1 meter high usually result in a visible head wound, but rarely a skull fracture.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do everything in your power to prevent falls. I’ll give some safety tips next on how you can make sure your kiddo is securely sleeping all night long.
Are low loft beds safe for toddlers?
Low loft beds are safer but not 100% secure. The height and lack of railing is the main cause for many injuries, so mini beds are better, especially if they have guardrails and a carpet at the bottom.
Again, these are not recommended for kids under 6 years old. Your 2-year-old should never sleep in the top bunk; however, the bottom bunk may be suitable for a 3 or 4-year-old.
7 Safety tips for loft beds
Because they have so many associated risks, there are some suggestions you can use to minimize danger.
Ensure your child’s loft bed is properly sized and assembled with guardrails, well-fitting mattresses, and night lights. Read this list to learn more about each of these safety tips.
1- Age limit
Only use a loft bed if you have a child over 6 years old. Some children younger than 6 can sleep on the bottom bunk or under the loft. If you have to use one for your younger child, make sure to choose a lower loft bed.
2- Rails
Rails minimize the risk of falls during sleep. According to the CPSC, guardrails should be at least 5″ higher than the top of the mattress, have only one opening for getting in that’s less than 15″, and be spaced no more than 3.5″ apart.
3- Sturdy mattress
You must use a sturdy mattress that fits the slats, so find one that feels firm when you push or press down. Check the manufacturer information to see if it uses a crib mattress or a twin, full-size, or double.
4- Implement & enforce rules
Teaching your tots to safely use their loft bed is one of the most important parts of minimizing danger. Emphasize that it should only be used for sleeping or relaxing, and always enforce these rules.
5- Don’t use the frame as a closet
You can add storage furniture and containers under the loft, but make sure to never hang clothing, belts, or toys from the bed. These can be a risk for strangulation.
6- Add a night light
Climbing up and down steps at night is precarious, especially if you’re a teetering toddler! Add a night light to the treacherous terrain of the loft stairs, ladder, or steps.
7- Place it wisely
Another way to make your child’s loft bed as safe as possible is to place it over a soft carpet and against a wall to prevent falls. Never put it near windows, ceiling fans, light fixtures, or low ceilings.
Why do toddlers love loft beds?
Who wouldn’t love a cool, sky-high sleep? Toddlers are natural adventurers and climbers, and loft beds give them a way to explore those exciting activities with their parents’ approval.
On occasion, my kids have slept in bunk beds on sleepovers, and they seemed to love the special sanctuary it created, like a sleepy nook just for them.
There are also many other exciting features you can find in addition to a basic loft bed like slides, desks, and tents!
1- Loft beds with slides
There is nothing more exciting than a loft bed with a slide for an explorative youngster. Your child can easily get up and slide right down to breakfast or play in the morning.
2- Loft beds with stairs
This feature usually connects to one side of the loft so your tot can easily climb inside. Toddler loft beds with stairs or steps help your child learn independence when they climb in and out themselves!
3- Loft beds with desks
For your creative kiddo, a loft bed with a desk can make their room into an art studio or a project cave. Simply choose a design with an included desk feature or find an option that will fit under the loft!
4- Loft beds with tents
Fabric tents give an extra feeling of comfort and excitement for your kiddo. A loft bed with a tent lets your child have fun sleepovers and cozy reading sessions, giving them an extra secret spot.
5- Loft beds with crib underneath
Toddler loft beds with a crib underneath will help your baby transition to toddlerhood with one feature. Or, your younger kiddo can sleep in the crib while their older sibling sleeps in the loft to save space and let your babies bond!
Best toddler loft bed
I’ve looked for the safest, most unique options online so you can provide your child with a personalized bed that will give them a great night’s sleep.
Check out this list of interesting toddler loft beds from the best shops.
This unique loft bed is best for your house-obsessed baby. The bed gives a complete house feel with its roof and two front windows without compromising air circulation. You can sleep in peace while this sturdy pinewood frame with guardrails prevents your baby from rolling off the bed. It comes with slats, guardrails, a built-in ladder and does not require a box spring. The bed’s frame is available in 3 colors: antique grey, antique white, and black, but the size can be customized.
Is your child obsessed with house-themed loft beds that he sees online? If so, your child will hopefully love this one. This high-quality bed is made with premium quality pine wood and comes with a built-in ladder to access the bed. This classic house loft bed comes in grey color and offers twin and full-size beds. The bed is protected with guardrails to make sure that your baby stays safe while sleeping or playing.
If you want your child to have the best time indoors, then this bed would make a great addition to your baby’s room. This two-toned loft bed is made from high-quality pine wood and comes with steel reinforcements. You also get to have slat kits to alleviate for box spring and guardrails. You can choose the colors and size of the bed however you want.
In case your toddler loves creative house-like beds, this would be a perfect one to consider. This unique design bed is crafted with 100% pinewood and comes with steel railings to always ensure your child’s safety. The rustic sand and grey-colored finish are perfect for a classic touch to the room. The bed comes with slats, guardrails, and a built-In ladder and can also be customized for height and size.
If your toddler loves creating his secret place out of blankets, then this canopy bed would be ideal for your secretive baby. This sturdy metal bed has a soft polyester fabric with silk-print stripes to cover the door and windows. The bed fits any standard twin mattress and has a fixed ladder and guardrails to ensure your child’s safety. It comes in grey, black, and blue colors and can support up to 225 lbs. of weight.
This classy house-shaped loft bed is amazing for your fun-loving toddler. The bed is made from high-quality grade 1 pine and is perfect for both bigger and smaller spaces. The bed comes with a barrier, a slatted frame, screws, and plugs and is fairly easy to put together. The slide is 150 cm long and takes up to 120 cm of the room, and comes with an extra slat in case you decide to remove the slide. Get is made in any size and eco-friendly color of your choice.
This compact bed would make a perfect addition to your smaller space. This premium quality bed is made from glued grade 1 pine, with a 70 cm high mezzanine, and fits perfectly into any interior. You can select any color and size of bed suitable for your room.
Where to buy a loft bed?
The top online retailers for toddler loft beds are Amazon, Etsy, Walmart, Pottery Barn, and Wayfair. From these, Wayfair, Amazon, and Walmart have the biggest range of prices and metal or wood style options in colors like gray, white, and pink.
If you’re interested in more expensive, custom-made designs, Etsy and Pottery Barn have beautiful wooden creations that will fit in any home. There are modern designs for girls and boys ranging from $600 – $4,000 in price.
How to build a homemade DIY toddler loft bed?
One way to give your kid this experience is to do it yourself! While this is an exciting and likely cheaper option than buying, going with a homemade bed comes with some precautions.
Use the safety tips from the beginning of this article to guide how to make your toddler loft bed, like ensuring it has guardrails with the right height and space between them. Find a DIY plan that creates a low-to-the-ground toddler loft bed if possible, especially if you have a younger child.
Above all, make sure the bed you build is properly formatted and securely constructed to ensure the most protected sleep for your baby.
Takeaway
Loft beds can provide excitement about bedtime for children, but it’s important to understand the dangers. There are several ways you can make them safer, like adding guardrails, going with a low option, and discussing precautions with your toddler.
Remember that children under 6 are advised to never sleep in a loft or top bunk. That’s why I’ve waited until my boy was 6-year-old to build his own loft bed. Curious to see what it look like, check out this article I created about this personal project.