I need advice on the best way to get our 26mth old to sleep while we are out of town. Currently, she sleeps in a crib and we have not tried to get her adjusted to a big kid bed. I know some of you will argue that she is old enough but all of the experts as well as our pediatrician say a child really isn't ready for a big kid bed until they are 3-4 yrs old. They aren't ready for the responsibility which I think is absolutely true. I don't know a 2 yr old that doesn't put stuff in their mouth they shouldn't or doesn't find a way to get in trouble or hurt themselves from jumping off of the couch. Our daughter can find away to get to anything. She uses toys or bar sits to reach stuff. So it really isn't safe for her to be out of a crib at night. Our problem is we are going on vacation and she can climb in and out of our play pen so that is not an option. I am concerned that I will be spending 1-2hrs a night in bed with her telling her to be quiet, put her head down etc or I will be spending 2-3hrs putting her back in bed with her screaming and kicking me everytime. I want to enjoy my vacation and not have a cranky toddler around because it took 2 hrs to get her to bed or not getting sleep because I am dealing with her. I also have a 7mth old that nurses and will wake up at least once before she falls asleep to nurse. I don't have the 2 hrs to put her to bed because the baby will be screaming and my oldest never sleeps in no matter how late she goes to bed. I am also concerned about nap time. Will I be spending another 1-2hrs at nap time? I was hoping someone might have some good advice on making this trip and bedtime easier on all of us. Some additional detail. We are not going to be staying at a hotel so getting a portable crib is not an option. We are staying at my husband's uncle's vacation home.
B.,
Most hotels have cribs that you can use. If that's not an option, than a pack-n-play might work. Vacations are also a great way to wear your kids out. Make sure she gets plenty of exercise and playtime and putting her down might not be as difficult as you think.
As for not putting her in a big girl bed, don't worry about what other people think. It's up to you to decide when she's old enough to handle a bigger bed.
Most hotels have cribs available if you request them. She'd have a much harder time climbing out of that.
And the saving grace for my little ones going to bed is a sound machine. They sell them at the stores like Bed Bath and Beyond and Linens and Things. The one I have is a homedics kind that has an alarm clock with several different sounds, radio and a projection that allows you to project the time onto the ceiling. All of these features can be turned off if you don't want to use certain ones. But the white noise in the background helps to drown out most other noises that a curious toddler will stay alert wondering about. It's worth a try.
Of course bring her bedding with you. Any little thing she has at home in her own crib will help her feel like it's normal. It may not be all that fun, but hopefully it helps. Try to stick to the same routine that you have at home. Eating at the same times, taking the baths, reading... whatever you normally do.
Good luck and have as much fun as you can!
First off, never expect to be well rested on vacation with two children! My son is 28 months and also still in a crib. However, he does not climb out of the pack and play, so that is what we use. I hate the portable cribs hotels give you. The mattresses are always lumpy and the CREAK like you wouldn't believe and wake up you child! I think some sort of calming sounds is a good idea and i wish I had tried that. the only think I can tell you that I did was sitting on the couch in the room with all the lights off and singing our usual songs. Then, just sitting with him until he is close to sleep or totally asleep. This never took more than 20 minutes for us because he was so tired from running around all day! Naps are a lot harder because you don't have darkness on your side! My son found it easier to lay down with us in the bed until he fell asleep and then we moved him. Next time we go somewhere, I think I will try the soothing sound machine! You might just have to accept her skipping the nap and going to bed earlier. It stinks because that means an early bedtime for you, but it is only one bedtime you have to worry about and that might be worth it! Have fun! I too could never go anywhere without my son!
Well, B. i hate to tell you this but vacation is never the same with 2 babies. I suggest waiting to go on a big vacation til your baby is two. We went away for a long weekend in march. The girls were 3 yrs and 10 mths. The oldest did great. She sleep with dad in the bed and even though she missed a nap was not cranky. We went on a weekend trip when she was 2 and i was so worried that she would not sleep. But she napped when we were on the bus going back to the hotel (we were at disney) about 30 minutes. Back to the lastest trip, the baby would not nap anywhere and did not sleep good with me or in a pack-n-play. She was so tired and wired from not getting any sleep.she was so miserable til we got home and could sleep in her crib. We just went on a weekend trip this week and she did the same. She slept so good last night in her own bed. We are not planning another trip til she is two next april. That is when my oldest did very well. Babies thrive on routine and their own setting. Both of mine wanted to sleep in their own bed when they were babies. Like i said my 3 yr old did very good once she was two. You and the babies will enjoy a trip better once they are older. Remember little ones don't know what a vaction is. Why don't ya'll have a vacation at home? Take time off and go to the local pool or a friends,have picnics in the park,go to a local water park.if you live near the beach they would love to play in the world's largest sand box. Check out the local library for children's activities or storytimes. We did this. Sometimes my husband will take a day off in the week and we go to the zoo or the local water park. That way the babies will have their own beds to sleep in and you will not be so stressed. You and your husbabd can enjoy the evenings to yourself. Get a sitter once they are in bed and go to dinner. I just remember that the girls will once be little for a few years then we can start traveling again. If you still decide to take your trip just remember to extra patient with the girls and don't try to over schedule yourselves. Just have a relaxed time and have fun being together as a family. Just be with you girls. They just love mommy being there and playing with them. If you can try to have your meals at the house you are staying at. It will be less stressful for everyone. Happy vacation!!!
Ok, since no one else will say it, I guess I will. If you really want to enjoy your vacation, send the kids to the inlaws or your parents house.
