Hi mamas.
We transitioned our 2.5 year old LO into his toddler bed a couple of months ago - has the rails and he sleeps well in it.
We're going to be staying over 2 people's houses this 4th of July weekend and I really don't want to drag along the pack n play we used for him as a baby - the dragging around part isn't a big deal, it's just in a bag, but I think he has definitely outgrown it and won't be comfortable in it. He moves around a lot in his sleep so he needs more room than a sleeping bag or something like that will give him...plus, I'd like him to be comfortable (obviously) and have whatever he's sleeping on "feel" like a mattress/bed. Also obviously want something that is made to keep kids from rolling off/out.
Thoughts? What do your toddlers sleep in when they travel if there aren't any extra beds available?
Thanks in advance!
My kids always slept in sleeping bags on the floor. They loved it!
We told them they were camping...
YMMV
LBC
DD was about that age. We just used the Pack N Play mat on the floor with blankets and a pillow.She slept as good as could be expected for being in a new place.
Our toddlers sleep with us when we travel, but they sleep in our bed at home, anyway, so it's no big deal.
Young children usually have no issue sleeping on the floor. Their bones are still soft enough that they don't need the "comfort" we do! :)
We used the ready bed when the kids were that age. It's a kids airbed with a fitted sleeping bag attached to it so it is harder for the kids to fall off of it. They loved it because it had one of their favorite characters on it too. It made staying at other people's houses more of an adventure, like they were camping. They're between $20-$30. You can get them in lots of different stores.
At my mother's house, the kids sleep on a sleeping bag with a built in air mattress. Like this one http://www.walmart.com/ip/Disney-Cars-EZ-Bed/8812034. We stay with her for extended periods of time and it's a bit more comfortable than the floor and I don't have to share! The sleeping bag kept my kiddos from falling off (and if they do fall off, there isn't far to go). When my kids stay at my inlaws they sleep in these bed pop up tents on a pallet. http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/15442914/hetti-the-hippo-... They fold up and store easily and the novelty of being in a tent, keeps my kids from wandering around.
Saw this over the weekend in a magazine. Looks interesting, and seems like it would work for you.
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=361497...
Aerobed makes a kids mattress that comes up higher on the sides. We got it for my son and it worked great, plus he liked having his own bed. I've seen other similar versions out there. You could do this or maybe a cot. They travel very easily!
Since he's not in a crib anyway, a sleeping bag is probably fine. If you want more boundaries for him, a pop-up tent can do. We have one called the PeaPod Plus and it has a zipper door you can zip or roll up/open. (if you try it, know it works good with blankets, but the sleeping bag it comes with slips around too much, at least for my lil's.)
When we travel with our toddler, he will usually sleep with one of us if there is not an extra bed for him alone. He has also slept on an air mattress on the floor next to our bed as well and thinks that it is fun.
Check out some of the inflatable toddler beds on the market. They usually have a raised lip to prevent roll-outs, and if they do roll out, they're only about four inches from the floor, so it's no big deal.
Great suggestions here. I will share with you one mistake I made when traveling with my kiddo at that age - I let them sleep with my husband and i and it was the WORST night sleep ever because he was so wigglly - LOL!
It was for a lack of planning on my part (which you obviously are not doing) but if push comes to shove - bring the pack n play or let your little one sleep on the floor - don't try to wing the co-sleeping unless you are all used to it:)
Have a safe and fun 4th!
old fashion blow up matterese low to grown or maybe house you ar going to could let you use there patio cushions
Aerobed makes a toddler size air mattress which has slightly higher sides. My daughter LOVES sleeping in there, and she started when she was about 2 yrs old. I feel she can stay in there until she is at least 5 yrs old when we travel or go to grandparents' homes.
We are leaving later this week for a vacation where there are two couples and two rooms, but then we have our two children (2.5 and 3 months) The baby will be sleeping in her little rock and play sleeper that she sleeps in at home, but for our 2.5 year old who has also outgrown the pack and play (maturity wise, not physically, she climbs out if we put her in it) we just bought a little toddler aerobed. The brand is EZ bed and we got it on walmart.com. We were just planning on letting her sleep with us, but my mom found the beds online. She is so excited about it, becuase the airbed itself is pink and it came with a little zip on Disney Princess blanket. She won't fall off because the blanket zips on. They also had Toy Story and Cars for the little guys, or Tinkerbell.
I took the mattress off his toddler bed and put it on the floor next to the air matress where DH and I slept
There is actually a travel bed sold at Target for that same dilemma. Ask your store clerk about it. Pulls out and folds up and is light weight. Probably insulated for potty accidents as well.
My daughter sleeps on a twin size air mattress. She calls it her "visit bed" and LOVES it. I think it cost $11 at Walmart and I just pack sheets and blankets.
We have an inflatable bed for both of our kids to sleep on when we travel and there won't be an extra bed. They do fine on that. They sell toddler versions of them that have a raised edge to prevent them from falling out, but sometimes they still roll off. No biggie though since they are so low to the ground. My son just turned 3 and he has slept fine on his and we've been using it for awhile now. Have a fun trip!
I didn't read the other answers, but I'd suggest either a toddler cot, or an air mattress.
