We are traveling in a few short weeks and there is a sleeping problem - I have a place for Meimei, but Kitten is problem. There are plenty of beds, but Kitten doesn't sleep in a bed - she's still in a crib. Where I would prefer she stay.
But there is no crib for her in Maine. My options:
Pack and Play - except we used it for a while for time out, so this is not the best option. Also rather large to carry.
Regular bed with a bed rail - not my favorite idea, as we will have to try this out before, and I'd rather not move her from the crib right now. But the bed rail is something we'll use again.
Regular bed with inflatable bolsters - interesting, but not much different than bed rail. Also, more expensive and less useful afterward.
Toddler Cot - Slightly less money, but I'm doubtful Kitten will stay on it. Also, larger to carry.
Aerobed for Kids - Ouch! $80. Nice idea, though.
Inflatable Toddler Bed - Less expensive, still not totally contained, but she won't fall out. Also comes in Dora, but not in anything less commercial.
PeaPod - cute and fun, but still of limited use and still $80
Travel 'n Trundle - doesn't look like much for $60. Unsure.
Phil & Ted's - $150? It better sing and dance, for that price. Not so much.
So, clearly, other people also have this issue, but the solutions aren't the greatest. Any opinions? Ideas?
5 comments:
Could you rent a crib or PnP instead of buying & hauling something?
http://www.babysawaynewengland.com/index.php
You might still have to schlep it, but at least not as far.
I wish I were closer 'cuz I'd lend you our solution from when we went to Paris and Berlin - it was an inflatable crib called a Holidoze. I can't find them online except from the UK just quickly, and those are expensive. We got ours on clearance from a shop in Cork, but shipped it back 'cuz I figured it'd be useful for situations like yours.
But I totally know what you mean about not a good solution - we were trying to figure out if we'd have to schlep a pack-n-play around Europe before we found this!
Another thought - if you're visiting people you know, might they know somebody who could lend a pack-n-play or crib for while you're there? If it was a different pack-n-play, you might be able to avoid the time-out connection...
I like the peapod idea, since it can be a fun play thing as well. Found it cheaper here. http://www.amazon.com/Kidco-PeaPod-Indoor-Outdoor-Travel/dp/B000G7OMBK/ref=sr_1_2/104-7954438-0371931?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1185975019&sr=1-2
Also, if you can find something to be a mattress, there are all kinds of cheaper kid tent things that would also have use for indoor camping.
Ever thought of one of those rest mats that they sell in back to school sections at Walmart? They aren't huge, they're pretty comfy (the little one uses hers at home still all the time, they're $5-6, they're portable, plus you'd have one for when she starts kindergarten! Just add a sleeping bag, blankets, or whatever t make her more comfy and voila!
As far as not being contained we got 21 toddlers to take a nap at the same time by simply rubbing their backs. Just do whatever you normally do before bed, music, stories, whatever, oh- and don't forget to contain her to her bedroom with a baby gate which they may possibly have anyway. I'm assuming her room would be a safe place....
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