Big Changes with This Moving

I don't think it really matters where you put her. If you put her upstairs, you can bring her downstairs with some toys and let her play in the living room while you are doing what needs to be done. If you put her in the downstairs bedroom, she'll get used to the noise and be able to sleep through it.

Disadvantage of upstairs:

1. stairs. Until about 2 or 3, you really don't want a child climbing on the stairs solo.

2. You would need to bring toys down or have some toys in the living room at all times

3. Climbing the stairs in the middle of the night if the baby needs something.

Advanatge of upstairs:
1. majority of toys out of site.
2. quieter downstairs for you when daughter playing.

The only concern I would have is if the upstairs is a loft. If it is a loft, there would be no way I would put my young child up there.

Have you raised her in a very quiet house while she sleeps? I think my kids could sleep through the end of the world! LOL My vote is for the baby to be downstairs. But, in the meantime, try NOT to be so quiet when she's napping, or goes to bed at night. Go about your normal business. I think you'll be surprised by what your little one will sleep through. ;0) Good luck!

I vote for upstairs. It is safer as she is away from the kitchen and front door. Also you can entertain downstairs without disturbing her. Television is one thing, but having company is something else. Just safety-proof and gate the stairs, windows, and bath. That assumes you aren't describing a loft wiht a balcony which oculd be too dangerous.

I have a five year old and 18 month old. THeir mess spreads like nobody's business. Let the center of the chaos be upstairs where you can organize it. And you can teach her, "Toys go upstairs." Easy. Have a bin or chest in the living room to keep a small amount of toys, crayons, etc. for her to play with downstairs. And get a small basket or bag to carry things up and down stairs. Get one for you and one for her she can start using next year.

I think people who have playrooms or separate playspaces are much happier parents!!

1. What about either putting the bedroom upstairs with a few toys downstairs. You can switch out the toys so she does not get bored with them. 2. Put your bedroom upstairs, if the room is large enough could you divide it into two parts. One for her the other for you. Use the bedroom downstairs for a playroom.3 Option is move the livingroom upstairs, but then depending on the layout you could walk into someones bedroom. Just a note of something to think about. When my sons were not walking around yet I could let them play without watching them constantly. After they started walking they would get into stuff, then the climbing. They were a bunch of little monkeys! At that point I could not take my eyes off of them for a minute! Just something to think about before you move all that furniture.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Good luck and happy packing.

My best friend for a long time was the baby monitor. It allowed me to do chores and get things done around the house and still keep an 'eye' on my kids. I used the type that only has sound, but there are more expensive versions that have video cameras so you can also watch them. It really helped me a lot, a real stress reliever.

If someone broke into your home they would break in on the first floor. You would not want your child to be sleeping on the floor that they broke into. Put your child's room upstairs and create a play space for the baby downstairs until she is old enough to play upstairs alone.

I think putting her upstairs so that she can sleep in a quieter place works, with a basket of toys downstairs like others have suggested. Having a baby video monitor would allow you to still see her when you're downstairs, and when she's older, would allow you to keep an eye on her while she's playing. (Not this young, obviously.) Enjoy your new place!

up STAIRS, is always a chance of falling down STAIRS. I think for safety, down is better. You could put her on your bed at naptime and listen for her. Toys in a living room are a sign of a happy home!!! God bless!

Have her bdrm upstairs but have a nice toy box in the corner of the living room for her downstairs toys. You can get a nice chest that will look pretty in your living room or you can just have a cute basket of toys that she can get to when she wants them. Or, you can keep her room downstairs and get a white noise machine in her bdrm so you do not disturb her. I would choose her being upstairs though for the times that you may have guests that would be too loud either way. Congrats on the bigger place!

I would put her upstairs. We have all of our toys and things in the kids rooms, except for a book basket full of picture books in the living room and their art easel in the dining room. When it's time for me to make a meal, they can play with those things while I cook. My oldest (3) does much better with this than my youngest (16 months). Many times I will pull out the pots and pans for my 16 month old to bang on while I cook.

Good Luck,
A.
Enhancing Lives - One Family at a Time
www.HealthySafeFamily.com

I vote upstairs, as well, with a baby monitor. I was able to find a video monitor at a yard sale for $10 a few weeks ago, so you might be able to keep an eye out for them, and use an audio monitor in the meantime. You'll get a good idea from just the noise about what's going on anyway. Also, I know a lot of people will probably freak out about this, but I also vote that you teach your child how to safely go up and down the stairs. This does not mean that you don't get a gate, but in the long run, it will be better for your child to know how to safely navigate the stairs.

baby monitor with a video screen as well sound

I think putting her upstairs is fine....when it is time for dinner bring a few of her favorite items down and allow her to play where you can see her.
Hope this helps.

I seen one other bring this up and am surprised other haven't echoed. If someone breaks in it'll be on the 1st floor. And don't say, oh that'll never happen. It just might, you never know. You wouldn't want your baby on the 1st floor and u upstairs and not hear a thing.
Buy a video monitor, have a few toys in the living room downstairs and get a gate.