Hey moms - We will be traveling with our nearly two year old next month, and staying with friends. We are trying to figure out what to do about a bed/crib for our nearly two year old. At home she sleeps in a crib in her own room. She will be sharing a room with us. We don't have a Pack and Play, and I really don't want to buy one just for this trip. Our hosts' kids are bigger and they got rid of theirs a long time ago. She could sleep in our bed with us, but none of us sleep well when she does, and since she's finally (!!) in her own bed at night 99% of the time, I don't want to start a precedent that she expects us to keep up when we get back home.
I've put out feelers in the area to see if there's anyone who could lend us a Pack and Play, but in case we come up short.... does anyone have suggestions or ideas? Solutions you've used in the past? Thank you!!
Thanks so much for all the responses - especially the offers of loans!! Too sweet!! We've been so spoiled because every time we've traveled with her so far, we've been in a hotel where they provide a crib, or at my in-laws, who keep a pack and play on hand for various grandchildren. Unfortunately our friends are brand new to their area and I don't think they 've had time to develop a close enough network of folks they can ask a favor like that. I really like the sleeping bag idea - I am sure if I can find one with Dora the Explorer on it, she'll be totally thrilled. Really appreciate all the suggestions.
I would let her pick out a sleeping bag and use that on the floor. If she gets to pick it out, she'll be super excited to sleep in it the first night you're there. Most kids don't mind sleeping on the floor, unlike adults. We always slept on the floor at my grandparents house, and we thought that was really cool!
I like the sleeping bag idea. Maybe you could let her pick out one of those tiny tents to have all by herself. It could be like a camping trip. A lot of stores sell bundles for camping with a tent, sleeping bag, flashlight,and usually a camp chair. I know they have them at Target.
I didn't read your responses so I apologize if this has been mentioned already. I got a toddler size blow up areo bed from onestepahead.com or leapsandbounds.com (one step's sister site). It was fairly cheap, came with the motor, a matress cover and a carry bag and while it was about the size of a crib matress (it had blow up sides so there was no rolling off) it could sleep my two oldest (together) when they were six and two.
Could you maybe use couch cushions on the floor next to your bed? - put them together to make a little bed for her... Bring something familiar from her crib at home too-a blanket or stuffed animal that will make her feel at home.
Buy a pack and play. Honestly, I get why you don't want to spend the money but at least look on Craig's list. You don't want to ruin your vacation and you will if you all have to share a bed. Ask your hosts if they could borrow one for you maybe...possibly they have friends that still have little kids. She'll be in the crib for another year or so probably so maybe if you buy a pack-n-play it will encourage you to take another vacation between now and then! ;)
take a spare comforter and put it on the floor. No fear of her hurting herself by rolling over falling out. Its the cheapest fix for a short term problem.
I would take a sleeping bag and get her to sleep on the floor, then sleep in the bed with your hubby. Last summer we did this for my son (then 3) and he got to pick out the sleeping bag before we went. It worked great!
My brother & sister-in-law purchased a toddler air mattress to use while traveling. It has a bumper all the way around it to keep the child from rolling off into the floor. It also requires crib-sized sheets. They used it when my niece was 2 & 3. I'm not sure how much they cost, but I don't think they are very expensive.
I would check out the One Step Ahead catalog. I know they sell a lot of different sleep solutions for travel. Some cool products came out after our kids were too big for them!
You might also try her own child-sized sleeping bag. She might think that's a lot of fun.
Go on Craigslist. Often you can find brand new never used pack n plays (people get 2 at a baby shower or buy one and never use it) and they are practically nothing. For the peace of mind, I would do it.
Otherwise, I agree, just make a bed on the floor. You can even pick up a cheap foam type thing at Target or something and use that for padding.
This is what we used and was perfect and our son was your son's age when we used it:
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=f...
My son was the same age as yours, when we used it for traveling and sleeping in a hotel. At home, sure, he was in a crib. But he was fine sleeping on this when we traveled.
These "flip" sofas are great.
And it is very useful.
Both my kids, still use theirs to just lounge around the house too.
I REALLY recommend this.
I have one I will lend you if you are not able to come up with any other solution. I wouldn't put her in bed with you because like you said you won't get any sleep. The only drawback is I live in Palo Alto but am very happy to meet you 1/2 way somewhere.
Hope this helps.
C.
we've done a few different things when traveling with our toddlers. if there is no pack and play, you could make a comfortable bed on the floor next to you. we did this once and i never thought it would work out, but it did. we've also had our daughter sleep with us and although we didn't sleep well, our daughter did and she was 100% fine going back to her regular routine at home. just let her know it's a special vacation situation but when she gets home it's back to the routine. good luck and have a great vacation!
We used to just put him in bed with us when we traveled. It never set any kind of precedent for when we were at home. Just make sure to let him know that it's only while you're on vacation.
We purchased a little foldable cot from Amazon called My Cot by Regalo for $20. It collapses into a little carry bag and weighs about 5 lbs. My son loves it and we love that its small and takes up virtually no space. It sits about 3 inches off the floor when unfolded and comes with a sheet to fit it. Loook for one and I am sure you will get good use out of it for a few years to come and $20 isn't very much to spend on something like this. Good luck and happy travels!
Let your friends know you really need to keep your child contained at night, and ask them to borrow one from a friend for you. You don't need to buy one now or pack one all over the place in your car, and I bet your friends have friends nearby who would loan them one for a few nights. I have loaned mine and would do it again. The worst that happend was I found a stray sock under the mattress once but they were also the same people who pinned a $20 bill to the hinges when they returned it! I just wiped it down and it was ready to use for whoever needed it next. If you're going to be in the Redding area you are welcome to borrow my little portacrib. (o:
You can make a little padded bed on floor between bed and wall. we did(and still do) this when we travel anywhere. we put pillows beside her so she won't roll all over the room. It's nice because you will be close enough to reach over and pat her if she wakes without having to get up. Sometimes she would get in bed with us, but this didn't create a bed monster later on. I eventually bought some 2" foam x 4' or 5' found at Joann Fabrics and roll that up and take with us. I actually made a cover for it but just putting a sheet around it or blanket on top will work. But your hosts might have enough blankets to make a pad. There are little toddler travel beds in the market (maybe I saw on Amazon). Don't bother with play&pack - she will outgrow soon anyway.
Something we do here at home is use an extra crib matttress next to our bed. If my kids are sick and I want them close by, but dont want them in my bed because none of us will sleep. Possibly your friend knows someone that hasa crib mattress and not using it. You don't have to set up the whole crib.
Make her a little bed on the floor next to you. Get her to sleep in your bed and then move her over perhaps? Have sturdy blankets or pillows or something all around it like a little barrier. We usually borrow a pack n play from someone. Good luck finding one to borrow.
Whenever we traveled we always rented a crib because my daughter would not sleep in a Pack n Play. I frequently used this site: www.babysaway.com and never had a problem. They will set up and remove the crib so there's no hassle. Good Luck!
I would buy the pack n play to use and return afterward if you can.
Or give it to somebody that can use it because you don't want to ruin
his great sleep habit of him in his own crib.
Plus none of you will sleep good in the bed toghether on your trip.
I say it's worth it to get a pack n play so you don't ruin his great sleep routine.
Also the pack n play will make him feel comfortable to sleep away from home away from his crib. I say buy it....it will be so worth in the long run!
Don't mess w/ a good thing! :)
