Climbing Out of Pack N Play

There is actually a tent for the pack and play made by the same company that makes the crib tent. I don't know how often you use the pack and play if that would be a good investment for you. Good luck!

Maybe she is ready for a big bed. My son climbed out of his crib/packnplay at 18months. He was an expert to get in and out so I did not change his bed until two years old. We visit my mother for extended periods and when he was two I just left the portacrib in storage and used a foam mattress on the ground (from a trundel day bed - pull out) and it was just fine. I did put a good mattress pad on it for when he was sick with the flu and throwing up. He's almost 7 now and still fine with that sleeping place.

At age 2 and all this activity, what makes you think your daughter can't have a jr bed or a mattres and boxspring on the floor. Let her know for a week or two that the big girl bed is going to happen and mark the day on the calandar. Two or three days before put the bed in the room, then on that day, put her down for her nap as usual except but her in the bed, (on this day and perhaps the next day as well, make sure she is vary tired, same goes for bed time). You would do your regular routine, when it's time for you to leave just close the door and you sit down (grab a pillow to dit up against and a couple of magazines)and be prepared to sit for a while till she actually falls asleep. She will probobly come out several times to test you and the "waters". Gently, sternly, and with few words, put her back to bed,and leave the room. Go outside again, and sit. Repeat the process and again, tell her you love her, this is her new big girl bed and she needs to stay in bed now, no getting out -- Good Night!
Like I said, be prepared to be there for an hour maybe. This shouldn't take more than 2 or 3 nights (it did for us at least, with our three kids). Oh, the guard rail thing works well too if you want to put her in a regular bed right away. With a jr. bed (you can pick them up new from Target or buy them in consignment shops for about $25.00), you can use the mattress from her crib.
Be pacient, loving and firm. Good luck!

S.,

I hate to say it, but another mom had it right. If she is climbing out, she is finished with it. You have two choices when visiting. We have used both. Get guard rails to put on hotel/guest bedroom beds and let her sleep there. SHE WILL CLIMB OUT. Just keep putting her in until she falls asleep, and be firm (just babyproof the room) My father's wife was not amused when I removed all the cleaning supplies and chairs from her guest bedroom, and put plug covers on all the outlets, but they are not her babies, so "so what." The other option, if you are afraid she is too small to climb safely in and out of a higher bed (the rails will stop her from falling) is to pull the mattress onto the floor or get a twin blowup one for her to sleep on. We try to keep our girls up a little later so they sleep a little quicker when we are on the road...

Good luck. Think of it this way. If you do this, you can move that crib at home to a big girl bed or toddler bed...

S.

I have the tent for the pack n play and a PeaPod, which is like a mini-tent that zips from the outside only. You can find them at amazon.com for around $50. Phil and Ted's also makes a similar product that is probably bigger. If you anticipate resistance from your child of being zipped in something like that, then you can practice at home before the next trip. This will at least buy you some time until she's big enough to be trusted in a room alone.

You can also consider getting a video baby monitor if you don't already have one. We have had ours for over 2 years and have used it traveling all over. It has helped us keep an eye on our children when they are sleeping in another room, even on trips. I have caught ours a couple of times mid-climb.

Good luck!

I know how you feel. My 2 year old started to do it over Thanksgiving while we were visiting great-grandma and family. There wasn't alot we could do but let him learn that he will get hurt crawling out of the PackNPlay. I know you don't want to do that with your little princess, probably. Although they probably do make a tent to go on the packnplays. You might see, however don't underestimate her readiness to go to a big girl bed. I didn't want to believe that my son was ready for a big boy bed but he got moved into one when he was 25 months old and haven't really had a problem. Then again I also walked in on him trying to jump off of his diaper changer so, (hahah boys will be boys), just don't underestimate her.

Good luck!

She's probably not too comfy in a pack n play at the age of two. I would start her in the big girl bed at home. twin size or bigger. she'll get out and you will have to be firm about bedtime. eventually you'll have to do this and it makes traveling a litte easier because you don't have to drag along a pack n play. All 3 of my girls were in a big girl bed right at the age of two. They actually slept better once they were on a real mattress. Maybe grandma could purchase baby gate for your visit and together you could childproof the room she stays in. Good luck.

S.,
Why do you say she's not ready for a big bed? If your daughter is climbling out of her crib or pack 'n play, its time to get her out of it. My daughter was 2 when she climbed out of her crib, and for safety issues, I put her in a toddler bed. As for travelling, my mom bought an air mattress that's just the right size for her. I think she got it at One Step Ahead. When you go to the grandparents, put a gate up in the room and let her sleep on the air mattress.

When we would travel with our kids at that age we would take a small aerobed for them to sleep on on the floor. They loved it. If they wander at night, which our oldest would do, then perhaps they can sleep with you or your husband. My husband and oldest daughter would have "sleepovers" together when on vacation and would sleep together on the aerobed. It was a treat that she always enjoyed and made trips that much more special.

if she's climbing out, she's ready to move on from the pack and play, whether you want to put her in a big bed or not. and no way should you stop taking great trips! child-proof her sleeping area and put her in a sleeping bag, and just check on her frequently (to re-bag her) until she falls asleep.
khairete
S.

I think the issue is that she can get into things when you visit the grandparents. It's time to kid-proof the room she is staying in. If she climbs out, she is ready for a big girl bed and all the responsibility that comes with it.

Explain to the grandparents that she is a curious child and that you need to empty that room of anything she shouldn't be getting into. I'm sure they will be accommodating. If they aren't then you'll have to bring the crib tent and tent her in.

I would put her on the floor in a sleeping bag... with her brother. My two always loved sleeping on the floor at Nana's.

YMMV
LBC