What does your baby sleep in when you travel?

Heather - posted on 06/27/2009

My husband and I bought a portable crib with a changing table. We take that with us whenever we go someplace; it's small enough to be put in a living room or bedroom and our daughter is used to it so it's something familiar to her in a strange place.

Nadine - posted on 06/27/2009

a playpen

Marne - posted on 06/27/2009

We buy cheap egg crate mattress pads from dollar general or wal-mart to use for the kids on the floor of the tent when we go camping. One of those cut to fit a suitcase or big grocery box should work out well as an inexpensive alternative to a pack-n-play. You can usually get a nice big box from grocery stores or walmarts whenever you get to your destination.

Shaniqua - posted on 06/27/2009

My little girl used to be terrified of her crib for some unknown reason (then one day she was suddenly fine with sleeping in there...weird lol), so she would sleep in a play pen. This worked great for when we traveled, it's something she was familiar with and was comfortable in.

Gina - posted on 06/27/2009

I used to use a play pen, or they would sleep with us. There was one time where we forgot to take the playpen with us, and we used our large suitcase. We just put a blanket in teh bottom to make it comfortable and he slept in there. That way I also knew that he was not rolling away in his sleep cause he liked to end up underneath beds.

Amanda - posted on 06/27/2009

I agree about not being able to sleep in the same bed as baby. When my baby was a newborn he would only sleep in the bed with us and I couldnt move. None of us got any sleep until he was moved out of our room. We traveled with him at the beginning of June and he was in a crib, but the same room and it was the same thing. We all had to go to bed at the same time and since he could see us, when he woke up in the very early am it was time to get up. We are actually traveling right now and thankfully, he is in a crib in a separate room. The only thing I can say is it is only temporary and when you get home it will only take a day or two to get back into your regular routine. Good luck and try not to stress about the lack of sleep!

Amy - posted on 06/27/2009

Quoting Sandra:

My bed, safe and sound next to me, just like at home. There would never be another option I would consider.

That would be an easy alternative, but during his periods of light sleep, a sneeze will wake him up! He started sleeping SOOO much better at night when he was moved to his own room because our general noise wasn't waking him up! My husband snores, and that always woke him up, or if we tripped on something coming into the room. It was crazy! We sleep with a fan for white noise, too, but it doesn't block out enough, I guess. Anyhow, when he slept in our bed periodically, no one got any sleep. My husband and I wouldn't move so that we wouldn't wake him up, but then inevitably, one of us would switch positions, and he was awake. He's been that way since he was born! We're a little worried about his sharing a room with us, my sister, brother-in-law, and niece at reunion! But I suppose we'll all make it through it!

Amanda - posted on 06/26/2009

Will you be in or near Oklahoma City?
Baby's Away - Oklahoma City
Serving - Oklahoma City
Phone: 800-260-3808 / 405-733-4667
Web site: www.babysaway.com
Most hotels and motels do have portable cribs, not pack and plays. If you haven't already called to ask, you should. Since its a family reunion, someone has to have something you can borrow, the problem is most airlines charge you for every piece of luggage so they may not be able to bring it to you. I hope you are able to find what you need!

Sandra - posted on 06/24/2009

My bed, safe and sound next to me, just like at home. There would never be another option I would consider.

Amy - posted on 06/24/2009

ok, I don't think the resort has pack and plays, so that won't work. But We do have an extraordinarily large suitcase (we have to because of all the baby stuff! haha), so that sounds like a good idea...although just this morning he pushed himself to sitting from his stomach, so we may be in for more than we bargained for! lol These are all such great ideas!

Brooke - posted on 06/23/2009

we let our daughter sleep in her pram... but she is still small enough to fit... my advice would be if you dont have the money it might be better to let him sleep with you 2..

Erica - posted on 06/23/2009

My daughter traveled with us once when she was 6 months old. We put her in a little pack-n-play at night. they are pretty cool. It can be used as a play pin and a bed. At night, we were able to raise the floorboard of the play pin up and it worked as a bed. There are a few different styles you can choose from. My daughter is almost 14 months now and we still use it quite frequently so you definitely get your money's worth :)

Tina - posted on 06/23/2009

I am constantly travelling back and forth to my parent's house. I usually take my pack-n-play and he sleeps in that for nighttime and naps. The suitcase idea is also a good one and inexpensive as long as it's deep enough for him to not roll out of. For a "mattress" you can buy foam from a hobby shop or a walmart type store and cut it to the size of your suitcase and cover it with a blanket. That way, the baby is not sleeping directly on the hard floor beneath.

Kerry - posted on 06/23/2009

How big's your suitcase? Take all your clothes out and put them in the dresser...line the suitcase with an extra blanket from Housekeeping and voila! I actually used a suitcase for my little one when my upstairs was way too hot for him to sleep. We just travelled downstairs!

Wanda - posted on 06/23/2009

I'm going away this summer and taking my playpen for my son to sleep in. I've done this before and it works okay. I take a blanket from home to put in it so that it smells like home (hopefully help him sleep better).

Lydia - posted on 06/22/2009

My in-laws used to pad the inside of a box or drawer and put him to sleep in there when they travelled with him as a bub. Borrowing something made more for the purpose is also a good way to go if you can.

Jackie - posted on 06/22/2009

some places have a store where you can rent baby items for reasons exactly like this. maybe your family has someone they can borrow a pac n play or crib from for a bit. that's what my in-laws did when we went to visit.

Andrea - posted on 06/22/2009

When we traveled with my daughter (at 9 months) we went on E-bay and bought a Mosses’ Bed... they are smaller so he might not fit it but we were able to set on the floor or in the middle of the bed. It is also the time for Yard Sales and you can go to them and see if you can get a pack n play or play yard that you could use. We shipped our daughters bed to where we were going so for one night she had to stay in her stroller that laid all the way back!!! Good luck in finding something and have fun!

Stevie - posted on 06/22/2009

try a playpen or a play yard whatever you want to call it were also going to a family reunion but in july the weekend after the 4th lol and this time we cant have out son in what we had him in the last time we were in missouri lol so were going to stop by my husbands moms on the way and pick up his playpen since were going to be staying in a cabin and our son has become alot more active at night and is also learning to crawl he cant sleep on the bed anymore even in a hotel i dont think it would work unless he is inbetween us but if you know someone who has a play pen or something you can barrow then ask and see i bet that will work out great for you

Marta - posted on 06/22/2009

You could buy a camping mat or foamy at any camping store. They're cheap and you can put it by the bed. Just put a sheet overtop and a light blanky and you're good to go.

Amanda - posted on 06/22/2009

Pac-n-Plays are great! You can find a gently used one at a 2nd hand store. If you are staying at a hotel, and they have one available, take your own spare sheet and blanket for sanitary reasons.

Amy - posted on 06/22/2009

We're staying at a "resort". That sounds fancier than it is! lol It's basically a motel. I didn't even think of seeing if they have anything like a pack-n-play. It seems doubtful though...we go mostly for the family and not for the accommodations, if you know what I mean! :) And I can definitely check with family to see if they have anything. We are in Texas, and the reunion's in Oklahoma, but I would LOVE to be in Colorado! :)

Laurie - posted on 06/22/2009

Will you be staying in a hotel or at someone's house? If you are in a hotel, they usually have a crib or pack n' play available if you request it. I like to bring my own sheet and blanket, though, and I take disinfecting wipes to be sure that it is sanitary. Usually if I travel by car, I bring my own pack n' play along, so I'm not sure I can help you if that is not an option and you are staying at someone's house. Good luck!

Denise - posted on 06/22/2009

I Amy, I'm not sure where you are located, but there are a lot of used/gently used stores for children's clothes as well as other stuff (cribs, strollers, etc.). Since it's a family reunion, if you have time to put the word out, there is probably someone who has a toddler or preschooler who still has that kind of stuff that they would be willing to bring along for you to use. The folded comforter works great too. Another idea for on the floor - sounds weird, but you could take one of your couch cushions, cover it w/plastics to protect from accidents and then cover w/a sheet/blanket for extra padding rather than the comforter. Just some thoughts. I live in Colorado, and have some items that may help - if you're here - or coming here, perhaps we can hook up and I can get them to you.