Well, a few things have changed since we winterized the TT a couple of months ago. The baby is now able to pull herself up and walk around (as long as she's got something to hold on to). This means that our baby solution for last summer and fall (make the table into a bed and add a bumper to keep her from rolling off) is now insufficient. I can see her pulling up on that bumper and head diving do the linoleum floor below.
Options? What do you do? Since we don't have any slide-outs, I don't think we have the floorspace to set up her pack-and-play. We're considering having her sleep in the bed with DW and for me to take the couch, or the possibility of making a pallet for her on the floor.
DW found an interesting tent type play area for babies that we might consider if anybody else can give us feedback on them. . . it's about $85 and forms an entire enclosure with plenty of ventilation to keep her safe and sound. It looks to be the leading option right now.
2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab SB LS 6.0L 4x4 4.10
DW, DD (born in May, 2007), and me
In your situation I would just put pillows on the floor below where the little one might fall. I have two little climbers and a bunk house. Littlest one sleeps on the lower bunk and I put up a baby rail. He will walk up to the rail and bang on it but won't climb over it since it's too high for his little legs to get up and over and too slick to get any traction on to climb. I use a couple pillows on the floor as well though. It's no higher than when he jumps off the couch in the house
We left our youngsters sleep on the Dinette and hauled several extra pillows to lay on the floor should they deside to bail over the bumper.
In addition we had two (19mo apart) so we let some room at the one end and our DD who's the elder, could crawl out with out trying to crawl over. Really was no issues and worked well for us.
Drop your table like normal, but instead of putting the cushions down to make a bed, put the pack and play up on the platform. Its a perfect fit. Baby cant go anywhere, and the pnp is out of the way.
We used a collapsible play pen that folded up to about 6" x 6" and 30" long. She slept in it to the fall she turned 3, July birth day. Worked great, folded up easily and no worries about the midnight stalker getting on the loose. Can't remember the price, but, if you are coming this way i will give you one! Just found one on e-bay. They are called Pack N Play, as above. I didn't recognize the name. They work well and are real easy to clean - garden hose and Spray 9.
Before she got mobile, she slept in the shower. That started when she was 5 days old. The grands, new mom and babe off boon-docking for 4 days. Worked well, got mom relaxed and established the mother/daughter bond real well.
Vic
I would also put the pack and play on top of where the bed was last summer. It might be harder to reach into but at least it won't be taking up floor space. I also looked at those blow up contraptions but wasn't too sure that it would be worth $85 for the few times we take out the RV. If the pack and play on top of the dinette bed doesn't work I would also try the bumper at the edge of the bed with pillows below in case. Last summer our 2 year old didn't like to stay in his bed in the TT the first couple of times we were out so we pulled a couple of late nighters. We now have an 8 month old (we took her out for the first time at 4 weeks) so we'll have to figure everything out again this summer. Have a great time.
Ford F250 4x4 PSD Crew Cab - 6 speed manual
Fleetwood Wilderness 270FQS LE
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The pack-and-play on top of the dinette sounds like an ingenious idea. Too bad I already sent the link to this thread to DW or I'd take credit for coming up with it on my own. DW stands about 5'9" and I'm 6'5", so we should be able to reach in.
We'll probably "graduate" to the pillows on the floor by next season, since there's a new one on the way who will need the pack-and-play/dinette solution.
I like getting 'em started young. . . but 5 days! WOW! I think we waited until about 3 months last year. Upgraded to the TT from the PUP just in time, since DW is a little less able to help with setup.
Great advice. . . finding out everybody's unique solutions to problems is the greatest benefit of this place to me. These solutions sound so easy once you hear them, but I would've never come up with them.
Have you considered using the crib mattress on the floor for your toddler? It sounds like it would be big enough and can be stored on top of a bed during the day. Just a suggestion.
benb21601 wrote: Drop your table like normal, but instead of putting the cushions down to make a bed, put the pack and play up on the platform. Its a perfect fit. Baby cant go anywhere, and the pnp is out of the way.
I agree with this idea.
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
I have another option that may be worthwhile. If your roof is flat.....
:-) Just kidding. Actually, we are getting a bunkhouse Travel Trailer and we have 4 kids aged 4 - 10. I think the 9 and 10 year olds will be fine. We may just tie the 4 and 6 year old down to their bunks. Gotcha again..
I also like the idea of putting the table down and put the pnp on top of that. But, make sure it is sturdy.
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2007 GMC Yukon Denali
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