TTMA: Bed/Crib Contents

[Deleted]

L has been refusing to use her sack now, and often has been refusing whatever blankets I offer as well (which right now, are an A+A muslin and a Vera Bradley tiny receiving blanket).  She seems to have a lot of trouble getting comfortable in her crib.  And then she's been waking more at night because she's cold or otherwise uncomfortable.

Has anyone introduced toddler bedding and a pillow even if they're still in the crib?  I think she might be ready, but after the first year of "absolutely nothing in the crib or your baby will die" I find it hard to transition away from the rock hard mattress and few items in the crib.  

What do you all have in your LOs cribs and toddler beds?

[Deleted]

Nick has a blanket that my late Mom-Mom knitted for my first born. He has had it in there for a while now. Also his lovey, and occasionally a spatula (not joking - he takes them from the kitchen and likes to hold them) or one of his little people cars. They don't impede on his sleep so whatevs. He is a character.

[nutmeg8484]

Molly has a small fleece blanket, Two teddy bears, and her tiny "night night bear". She doesn't seem to mind not having a pillow or regular sized blanket. We never used a sleep sack. We heat with wood so it's usually warm enough for her.

[ashiscute]

Sam has his small A+A muslin blanket as his lovey. The sleep sacks were getting a little small for him so we put in a very thin fleece blanket and he does great! He keeps himself covered most of the time. I don't have a pillow in there because I don't think he'd use it or really needs it.

[sarahh]

We never used a sleep sack since Dylan was in a brace her first few months. She has some stuffed animals and a book in her crib and no blanket or pillow.

[lynnyloo]

[Deleted]

Would you feel comfortable with something this size/weight in your toddler's crib? I am kicking myself because there was one for $25 at the RH Outlet two weeks ago, and at the time she was still in the sack, so I didn't pick it up.

www.rhbabyandchild.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=rhbc_prod507104&categoryId=rhbc_cat377455

She tosses and turns so much, she loses the smaller blankets half the time before she even falls asleep.

[mrsbeachcat]

Apr 20, 2017 10:38:31 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

Would you feel comfortable with something this size/weight in your toddler's crib? I am kicking myself because there was one for $25 at the RH Outlet two weeks ago, and at the time she was still in the sack, so I didn't pick it up.

www.rhbabyandchild.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=rhbc_prod507104&categoryId=rhbc_cat377455

She tosses and turns so much, she loses the smaller blankets half the time before she even falls asleep.

Bill has a very similar blanket to that. He still does end up losing it sometime in the night, but on cooler nights I compensate with warmer PJs.
He also has a small flattish pillow.

He has all sorts of crap in his crib: books, a baseball hat, one freshly picked moccasin, an empty water bottle...

[kristhegirl]

Refuses sleep sack = it goes on backwards. Mama does not have time for "waking up cold" BS.

Comfier mattress might help and might be worth the money if you're going to transition to a toddler bed and not straight to a twin or something.

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2017 10:44:26 GMT -5 lawandorder said:

Apr 20, 2017 10:38:31 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

Would you feel comfortable with something this size/weight in your toddler's crib? I am kicking myself because there was one for $25 at the RH Outlet two weeks ago, and at the time she was still in the sack, so I didn't pick it up.

www.rhbabyandchild.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=rhbc_prod507104&categoryId=rhbc_cat377455

She tosses and turns so much, she loses the smaller blankets half the time before she even falls asleep.

I'd be ok with the blanket, the pillow seems a little thick and I'd worry more about neck/positioning than breathing (I think they are far past that at this point).

They do make legged sleep sacks for older kids that move a lot: www.amazon.com/HALO-SleepSack-Lightweight-Wearable-Blanket/dp/B008VWVSQO/ref=sr_1_17?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1492703039&sr=1-17&keywords=sleep%2Bsack&th=1

She just won't wear a sack anymore.  PJs only.  It will probably be fine as the weather warms up again, so maybe I should just get her a softer smaller toddler pillow like the ones I see on Amazon and call it a day until after the summer. 

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2017 10:55:36 GMT -5 kristhegirl said:

Refuses sleep sack = it goes on backwards. Mama does not have time for "waking up cold" BS.

Comfier mattress might help and might be worth the money if you're going to transition to a toddler bed and not straight to a twin or something.

Yeah I have no idea what we're going to do with the crib/toddler bed situation.  My plan was to keep her in the crib, put new baby in the Halo bassinest for 3 months, and then see where she's at a year from now to see whether she gets a toddler bed or a twin bed when we want to move the new baby to the crib.  

Her sleep sack is definitely too small now (and is the kind with the shoulder snaps, so I can't force it on her).  I also HATE constricting things on my legs (sleeping bags are the devil) so I wouldn't force a sack on her anyways in case it is literal torture for her like it would be for me.  Would force more layers of PJs if necessary.  I just think we're at a transition stage with respect to how she sleeps and trying to make safe and appropriate choices.

[wineandcake]

Hunter still wears his sleepsack, he loves that thing. He also has his 'baby' aka a swaddle sized flannel blanket he brings everywhere, a knit blanket that ends up at the bottom of the crib, the flattest full sized pillow I've ever seen, his cup, and a Paw Patrol pillow book at the foot of his crib. He always sleeps on the pillow, has since he was just about a year. His mattress has a baby and toddler side, he's on the softer toddler side now. He won't sleep if we put him in the crib with no pillow or baby.

[jekasi]

We introduced a pillow not long after he turned one, I think. At the time I bought one that is supposed to be for toddlers and breathable. He sometimes sleeps on it and sometimes throws it around his crib. He cuddles with several stuffed animals, his wubbanub, and a good sized blanket. My favorite blankets are by Nickis diapers. They have a bamboo blanket that is super soft and breathable just like A&A. I bought the snuggle version that comes with many layers so it has a nice weight to it while still being breathable. It was only about $30 and is a great size for him.

www.nickisdiapers.com/nickis-diapers-bamboo-snuggle-blanket.html

[lovemyirishtwins]

Viv has a pillow. She was getting upset about not having one and he bigs do. We found a very small one. She has about 5 animals and a her little blanket she carries everywhere in there as well.

[yelah250]

Rosie has a pillow pet, a pillow book, 2 soft babies, 3 wubbanub, dream blanket and fleece blanket. She's a bed hoarder.

[rach]

AB has two IKEA "cushions" that are perfect little toddler pillows. The second one was supposed to be backup for when the first is in the wash, but she likes having them both. They fit side by side width wise in her crib.

She also has a small blanket, a A&A lovey, and one of my H's sweatshirts (because toddlers are weird!).

[ashiscute]

Apr 20, 2017 10:55:36 GMT -5 kristhegirl said:

Refuses sleep sack = it goes on backwards. Mama does not have time for "waking up cold" BS.

Comfier mattress might help and might be worth the money if you're going to transition to a toddler bed and not straight to a twin or something.

I really wouldn't spend money on a new crib mattress. Toddler beds are short lived.

[rachydc]

A has a little pillow that has been a real game changer for us. Im hoping it helps transition her a little better when it comes time for the big girl bed. She also sleeps with an A+A dream blanket that she loves. She recently started bringing a small book to bed with her on top of her stuffed cat and wubbanub. I dont really care because it keeps her occupied in the mornings and I have a little more time to get dressed lol

[wells2010]

We have two small fleece blankets she cuddles with plus a larger one that we cover her with. No pillow. She also had 4-5 stuffed animals and a few board books. A lot of time she will wake up and read in the mornings and won't cry.

[jacks15]

L has a Jellycat pillow that she sleeps on. It's like a stuffed animal but flatter and just big enough for her head. She has a My Blankee stroller blanket that I lay over her at bedtime, but it usually ends up underneath her.

And then she has 5 stuffed animals, 3 lovies, a small stack of board books, and a water cup. She plays in her crib for about an hour after she wakes up. #Crib4Eva

[Deleted]

Apr 20, 2017 12:48:52 GMT -5 sharebear05 said:

@officedronette are the frequent wakings new since weaning (was it last week or so)? Could she just be getting used to weaning + whatever gentle sleep training you were doing as opposed to it being a physical environment thing?

(FWIW, DS is in the XL halo sleep sack with the zipper in the back a la kristhegirl but he moves around throughout the night. I've never seen him wake up in the same position he went down in)

I would think that if it were just bedtime that were the issue, but the waking and requiring assistance is definitely because she's cold.  As I heard her tell husband the one time, "Dada, brrrrr."  Last night I was able to keep most of the covers on her at bedtime, and she didn't wake.  

[Deleted]

jnetx - I think it does have a slightly softer side which I will try tonight. I keep forgetting until after she's in bed and is tossing and turning to get comfortable.

[vvvvvfee]

as PPs have said, she can have whatever she wants in there at this point so long as it's not a strangulation hazard. i can't imagine DS2 tolerating a sleep sack. DS2 has a small pillow- like 10x10 (which he never uses), a fitted sheet, and a toddler-bed sized comforter. he loves wrapping it around himself and curling up into a ball. even though he starts out with the comforter, he always works his way out from under it. so during the cooler months we have dressed him in warmer pajamas and socks if applicable.

so yeah, try a thicker, cozier blanket/huggable stuffed animal/pillow/warmer PJs.

[lonegalathome]

Sleep sacksbgo to at least 3t. The footed ones were great for my kids. Get one with a cute picture she'll like maybe? Owen is still in the traditional sleep sack.

@officedronette I know it's pretty but please don't buy white bedding for a toddler, and their pee poo and vomit nights that lie ahead....

[wells2010]

A water cup is clutch too for helping her stay asleep. Just make sure it's leakproof.

[yelah250]

Disney Pixar Finding Dory Plush Storybook Pillow www.amazon.com/dp/1505021197/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kIw-ybRM8VAFR Rosie adores her pillow book.

[beepers]

We got R a toddler pillow a couple months ago and he loves it especially now that my mom sewed some pillowcases out of super soft material. I also put a quilted mattress cover on his bed to make it cozier.

He hates blankets since he hasn't yet figured out he can play with his toes UNDER the covers and currently the toes must be accessible at all times.

He was in the wearable blanket until I had trouble using it with his arm cast.

But really: he just snuggles with us to stay warm since he ends up in my bed every night.

[imavera]

Getting cold isn't a huge issue for us, but Kara also passes out and lays completely still. It's super strange to me. So, she stays pretty well under her dream blanket (occasionally, she wakes up and makes us fix it and then passes out again). She demands that thing. She also has one of those song giraffes, a bunny and her mermaid. Sometimes, she puts random miscellaneous toys in there during the day for that night.

I think the heavier blankets (like the dream blanket) are harder for them to wiggle out of.

[jr310]

Emma has a small pillow from the Target dollar section. It's the perfect size for her, and she refuses to sleep without her head on it. She also has a muslin blanket, a rolled blanket along the wall of the crib so she doesn't constantly knock into it, her baby (who also has a pillow and small blanket,) her nemo, and her water sippy. It works for us, lol.

[kristhegirl]

@feegan Elena will still lay like that sometimes.

I'm apparently a terrible mean mom because she has nothing in her crib, though. Quilted mattress pad under a fitted sheet; end of list. Definitely no pillow.

I'm not worried about safety. I'm worried about her fit when she throws something out and wants it back.