SlumberPod for babies and toddlers -- worth it?

[reyofsunshine]

Hey all! We're heading to WDW soon and staying at Caribbean Beach. We'll be bringing our DD4 and our DD who is 18 months old. Last time we were in Disney with the kiddos (November 2018) the youngest had a REALLY hard time sleeping. She got up every few hours, we would have to rub her back and then she would settle down. Some nights we would have to hold her until she fell asleep. DH and I were drinking coffee like it was our job, and we were just exhausted. With DD4 sleeping in the same room, she would then wake up and get frustrated with the baby and she would try to talk to the baby-- it was a whole thing. So this time around I found out about SlumberPod which is a tent you can put over a pack n play. It has vents, a pocket for a monitor, and a zipper opening. I'm thinking it might help us get some extra sleep while we're all sharing a room, but wanted to see if anyone here had experience with it. It has a hefty price tag (around $150) and before I spend the money, I'd like to see if anyone had experience with it.

Note: We also are renting a wooden crib this time around in hopes that might help with sleeping. Maybe it'll be easier for her to be in a crib rather than a pack n play--we're desperate! My thinking is if we DO end up buying this, that we would test it out with our pack n play here at home so the toddler gets used to it before we use it on the road. If it works out, we would cancel the wooden crib rental since the tent probably won't fit.

Thanks! (Long time lurker, first time poster )

 

[NYCgrrl]

Were it me I'd throw a sheet (cotton only since it breathes) over the pack and play or crib and add a monitor if I felt I needed it to the leg of the bed rather than spend $150.00. Did similar when we took little ones camping except the fabric was double or triple layers of tulle to keep the misquitos out.

HTH

 

[KayaWildfire]

Just curious, any idea what the problem was? Excess noise or light she wasn't used to? Something else? If it was a noise/light issue maybe use one of these baby beach tents. The sides roll down so you have a little space just for them. I haven't used this exact one, but had something similar for awhile.
https://www.amazon.com/SHDIBA-Porta...t=&hvlocphy=9018798&hvtargid=pla-677010186378

 

[reyofsunshine]

Were it me I'd throw a sheet (cotton only since it breathes) over the pack and play or crib and add a monitor if I felt I needed it to the leg of the bed rather than spend $150.00. Did similar when we took little ones camping except the fabric was double or triple layers of tulle to keep the misquitos out.

HTH

I was thinking about that but since she’s 18 months, she’s standing and able to grab onto things now. I thought of maybe taping curtains to the wall, but she would tug at it until it comes off. Thanks though!!

 

[reyofsunshine]

Just curious, any idea what the problem was? Excess noise or light she wasn't used to? Something else? If it was a noise/light issue maybe use one of these baby beach tents. The sides roll down so you have a little space just for them. I haven't used this exact one, but had something similar for awhile.

I think the problem was the distractions. The baby would see her sister and not sleep. We originally thought it was because it was a pack n play, which is why we rented a wooden crib this time around. Just trying to knock out all variables

 

[LSUmiss]

Hey all! We're heading to WDW soon and staying at Caribbean Beach. We'll be bringing our DD4 and our DD who is 18 months old. Last time we were in Disney with the kiddos (November 2018) the youngest had a REALLY hard time sleeping. She got up every few hours, we would have to rub her back and then she would settle down. Some nights we would have to hold her until she fell asleep. DH and I were drinking coffee like it was our job, and we were just exhausted. With DD4 sleeping in the same room, she would then wake up and get frustrated with the baby and she would try to talk to the baby-- it was a whole thing. So this time around I found out about SlumberPod which is a tent you can put over a pack n play. It has vents, a pocket for a monitor, and a zipper opening. I'm thinking it might help us get some extra sleep while we're all sharing a room, but wanted to see if anyone here had experience with it. It has a hefty price tag (around $150) and before I spend the money, I'd like to see if anyone had experience with it.

Note: We also are renting a wooden crib this time around in hopes that might help with sleeping. Maybe it'll be easier for her to be in a crib rather than a pack n play--we're desperate! My thinking is if we DO end up buying this, that we would test it out with our pack n play here at home so the toddler gets used to it before we use it on the road. If it works out, we would cancel the wooden crib rental since the tent probably won't fit.

Thanks! (Long time lurker, first time poster )

I always rent a full size crib & mattress just like DS has at home & he always sleeps just like at home. Don’t have any advice on the other thing but wanted to say we had luck with the crib.

 

[sponica]

I think the problem was the distractions. The baby would see her sister and not sleep. We originally thought it was because it was a pack n play, which is why we rented a wooden crib this time around. Just trying to knock out all variables

When I went with my 20 month old we stuck the pack n play in the sink area of the bathroom at POFQ. She needed ABSOLUTE darkness in order to sleep.

 

[LSUmiss]

When I went with my 20 month old we stuck the pack n play in the sink area of the bathroom at POFQ. She needed ABSOLUTE darkness in order to sleep.

That’s mine too but also apparently absolute comfort too lol b/c he won’t sleep in a pack n play. So we rent a crib & sit in the dark once he’s asleep. He doesn’t go to bed til about 9 & after a full day at WDW we just take a showers & go to sleep ourselves so it’s fine.

 

[sponica]

@LSUmiss I think it's because at my inlaws she would sleep in a P&P for naps/overnights. Honestly I'm sort of dreading next summer when she'll be almost 4 and be sleeping in a bed in the same room. She'll never go to sleep...

 

[LSUmiss]

@LSUmiss I think it's because at my inlaws she would sleep in a P&P for naps/overnights. Honestly I'm sort of dreading next summer when she'll be almost 4 and be sleeping in a bed in the same room. She'll never go to sleep...

Lol! We tried that once & he didn’t sleep & was miserable so now no overnight stays anywhere for now except wdw with a crib!

 

[sponica]

Lol! We tried that once & he didn’t sleep & was miserable so now no overnight stays anywhere for now except wdw with a crib!

Well she didn't have a choice, we were going to a wedding and couldn't bring her. It was totally a trial by fire, but somehow my very particular 14 month old (at the time) didn't have an issue.

 

[wendlle]

When we took our 19 month old we let her sleep with us in the bed and she slept like a dream.
We're taking our 10 month old next week, I've requested a full size crib but if we don't get one I'll be renting one as soon as I can. I know my DD won't sleep in a pack n play because she won't at home.

Maybe see how you go and if the sleep fails then get the pod delivered while you are there.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

We bought a PeaPod Plus and love it. My DS loves having his own tent. We've been using it since he was 20ish months old. We stuck it in the crib at home for a few nights and then he slept in it in his room on the floor so when it came time to sleep in it on vacation he was familiar with it.

 

[bopper]

Some thoughts:
1) Consider introducing a white noise when they sleep so they will be used to it...then also use the white noise at the hotel ( you can get a white noise app for your phone).
2) Also introduce the slumber pod ahead of time
3) A lot of times what happens when you travel is the baby/toddler is in a car or flight and they sleep and sleep ....but then when you get the hotel they are awake.

 

[carelo]

I always rent a full size crib & mattress just like DS has at home & he always sleeps just like at home. Don’t have any advice on the other thing but wanted to say we had luck with the crib.

Where do you rent the crib? We're DD & DGD (11 mo) going in Oct. We did a 2 night test run in DL and DGD didn't do well in the PNP.

 

[LSUmiss]

A baby’s best friend. I’m going in oct too & will be renting. Kingdom strollers does it too or you can request a crib from wdw too if you’re in wdw resort. But kingdom Strollers has thin mattresses & wdw cribs are portable size. A baby’s best friend is the only place that has actual full size cribs with reg 5 in mattresses.

 

[carelo]

A baby’s best friend. I’m going in oct too & will be renting. Kingdom strollers does it too or you can request a crib from wdw too if you’re in wdw resort. But kingdom Strollers has thin mattresses & wdw cribs are portable size. A baby’s best friend is the only place that has actual full size cribs with reg 5 in mattresses.

Thank you so much. I think my DGD would sleep much better in the real crib than in the PNP

 

[reyofsunshine]

Where do you rent the crib? We're DD & DGD (11 mo) going in Oct. We did a 2 night test run in DL and DGD didn't do well in the PNP.

Kingdom strollers! We rent the crib through them and our double city mini stroller.

 

[stephk1981]

We have had a HORRIBLE time getting our DD21 months to sleep.... including all six of her WDW trips. We borrowed a slumberpod from a friend that * swore* it would work to go to my in laws.... didn't do a thing. But, my DD can't handle light, noise, diatractions.... anything. The first five Disney trips so far she has woken every 20-30 minutes all night, every night......so, the last trip we got a 1 bedroom Villa at Beach Club.....it made a HUGE difference!!!! Having her in her own room to sleep helped her only wake a few times a night. We have spent so much money on fans/ noise machines to travel with too.......the separate room with ZERO noise, light, and diatractions really worked well! I hope you figure it out. Have a good trip

 

[reyofsunshine]

We have had a HORRIBLE time getting our DD21 months to sleep.... including all six of her WDW trips. We borrowed a slumberpod from a friend that * swore* it would work to go to my in laws.... didn't do a thing. But, my DD can't handle light, noise, diatractions.... anything. The first five Disney trips so far she has woken every 20-30 minutes all night, every night......so, the last trip we got a 1 bedroom Villa at Beach Club.....it made a HUGE difference!!!! Having her in her own room to sleep helped her only wake a few times a night. We have spent so much money on fans/ noise machines to travel with too.......the separate room with ZERO noise, light, and diatractions really worked well! I hope you figure it out. Have a good trip

That’s great to know! When you did the one bedroom villa, did you have DD sleep by herself in the bedroom or the living room area? We might have to do that next time. We have family with DVC and I wonder if we could use some of their points.