My daughter keeps trying to climb the side of her crib. She's not even 6 months yet. When I put her down for a nap, I just leave her be till she falls asleep. I peak in, but don't go in, to make sure nothing is wrong.
But now that she is tring to climb up the side of the crib, I'm afraid she will bang her head and get hurt, so I am constantly having to go in there to take her down. This is totally going against trying to get her to go to bed on her own.
What should I do? A crib bumper is too low, so she would still be able to hit her head. We having a safety net sort of thing in there right now, so we don't have to worry about her getting her leg or arm caught.
Any ideas?
2006-07-18 09:13:35 · 14 answers · asked by happymommy 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Forgive the spelling mistakes please as she is screaming right now. Kind of takes my concentration away. :)
2006-07-18 09:15:12 · update #1
You may want to allow her to thump her head. A little pain and upset will teacher her what's safe and what's dangerous. You certainly want to ensure that nothing could happen that would be damaging, but an infant isn't cognitively capable of being reasoned with or taught in a verbal way. Kids are durable and pain is an excellent teacher.
Let me just add that I am not advocating using pain as a tool, but if a child persists in a behavior, natural consequences might be something you want to allow to avoid riskier behavior later, when the child is large enough and coordinated enough to get into really dangerous climbing situations.
2006-07-18 09:21:27 · answer #1 · answered by carpetao 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a simliar problem with my son (now 5 yrs old) I would put the mattress as low as it can go so she can't climb out. I would also invest in a crib tent. It is like a mesh roof for the crib to prevent kids from climbing out. Just keep an eye on her. My son tried to climb out of his crib when he was about 7 or 8 mos and suceeded, but he hit his head on the way down the other side and bit almost completely through his tounge. That's when I invested in a crib tent. I think she is probabl too young for a toddler bed, this was another option I tried with my son, that didn't work. He fell out of it, kept getting out even in the middle of the night, and it was more of a problem, than an asset. I would also take out her bumpers and any toys, which can be used as "steps"
Good Luck
2006-07-18 16:21:18 · answer #2 · answered by Ashs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal. Keep the rails all the way up. No bumper pads, for they use those as helpful tool. Take all toys out as well, for the same reason. If she actually can't get out of the crib, then she is fine, if she can climb out of the crib, it is time to move on to the toddlers bed. With the toddler bed they have a safety rail to put up on the sides you can get them at walmart, kmart, any where that sells baby stuff.
2006-07-18 16:20:21 · answer #3 · answered by melissaboose2005 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think the best thing you can do is to not have the bumper on there. She uses it to climb on. Another thing and this is kind of strange is to let her do it a few times and she will learn that hitting her head hurts. Just keep in mind that it wont hurt her unless she falls from a great distance. I may be wrong but most parents just do what feels right.
2006-07-18 16:18:54 · answer #4 · answered by guttermouth029 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yikes! that's awfully young for a little one to be going "houdini" on you! Is the crib mattress in the lowest possible position? That might help, it will make her climb harder. The next option is to get rid of the crib & put in a toddler bed. You can buy the ones with rails on the sides so she won't roll out, but it sounds like she's determined to get out & go on her own! Put a toddler bed in place & try to teach her to stay in her very own little bed. Good luck - it sounds like you've got your hands full!
2006-07-18 16:20:02 · answer #5 · answered by pumpkin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried putting her down for her nap in a play pen. Generally the sides are made of mesh and would be hard to climb out of. I understand your trying to get her to sleep in her bed, but wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry? Good luck and best wishes.
2006-07-18 17:17:56 · answer #6 · answered by Pren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lower the mattress to the lowet level, raise the side of the crib to the highest level, remove any bumpers, toys, etc so she can't stand on them. See if that works.
2006-07-18 16:22:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a crazy idea but... can you put a baby gate on the railing or maybe you can line the crib with pillows, but then she can suffocate hmmm, let her fall asleep in your arms while you rock her in a rocking chair then when she is asleep put her in the crib, sorry, I hope this helps, I never had this problem.
2006-07-18 16:19:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried a tether?
The solution's a little unorthodox, but if you adjust it just right, she'll be able to move about and stand upright, but unable to climb over the rail.
Be careful to avoid strangling/choking hazards: you may have to use a self-retracting tether.
2006-07-18 16:17:08 · answer #9 · answered by wireflight 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lower her crib mattress.
2006-07-18 22:01:19 · answer #10 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋