Nap mat vs. pack n' play?

[chenderson]

Most of the children I have enrolled are little (under 2) and automatically I use a pack n 'play for each at nap time. I have a 2 yr old starting in a few weeks (she's been coming as a drop in over the past few months and will eventually be part time 2 days/week) and at home she is in a toddler bed. Do I put her in a pack n' play too or use a nap mat??? I do not stay in the room with the kids when I put them for nap (as they do not all go at the same time) and I'm totally lost as to what to do with her. Lol! Advice needed!!

[Gloucestermom]

I would lean more towards the nap mat, or what about a cot? It depends on what she weighs too, I think pack n plays have a weight limit of 30 lbs.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I like to keep them in playpens for as long as possible just for safety reasons and peace of mind. Once they get too big, too mature or are potty trained, I switch them to cots or sleep mats. I don't stay in the room either but I have a video monitor that enables me to see what is going on down there. I love it for when I transition children to the cots. If they sit up, get off it etc, I can see and deal with it right away.

[chenderson]

What is a cot? I assume a nap mat and cot are the same thing... I'm leaning towards a bed/cot/mat just b/c she does seem a bit big when I look at her in comparison with the pack n'play. Lol.

[AmandaKDT]

If she is in a regular bed at home I would put her on a mat. I just transitioned a 2 year old from play pen to mat, it went fine. I also have a video monitor, though my little one doesn't have any troubles staying in her bed.

[5 Little Monkeys]

This is the cot I have http://www.walmart.com/ip/Regalo-My-...el-Bed/4433186

The sleep mat I have is this http://www.daycaremall.com/images/pz/basic_kinder.JPG

[kimg]

I think it would depend on what type of napper she is. If she typically sleeps the entire period without fuss, then I'd consider a mat. All of my mappers routinely wake up wY too early, so all of them, even my 2.5 yr old are staying put in their pnps.