Get Outta Here

on January 10, 2013
in All Posts

Rough night in babyland.

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I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m pretty sure I have Henry ESP.  Around 3 AM, I woke up for no reason, checked the monitor, and saw Henry sitting up silently in his crib.  Then, he pulled himself up on the railing and spent 30 minutes trying to hitch his leg up so he could get out.  He was so determined (and quiet – now I wonder how long he’s been doing this in the dead of night…).  I thought escaping-the-crib didn’t happen until they were at least one year! 

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I’m so afraid he’s going to fall out!  I eventually ended up going up there and cuddling him for a long, long time because he’s also sniffy.  Two colds in one month.  I just hope he’s better for our family vacation this weekend.

 

After a long night – eats:

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French Toast

Banana

Chia Seeds

Coconut

Cashews

Brown Rice Syrup

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At least all my food stayed safely contained on the plate…. :-/

{ 56 comments }

 

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats January 10, 2013, 9:03 am

    Oh gosh I can’t believe he’s already trying to make a break for it! Haha he must be an independent one!

  • Kristin January 10, 2013, 9:06 am

    My husband was the same way! He could get out of his crib way before he could walk – around 6 months.

    The funny part of that story is that he slept in one of the old drop-side cribs, and if his parents left the crib side down, he couldn’t figure out how to get out! He only knew how to throw himself over the high rail. I will email his parents and ask them if they ever figured out any other tricks to keep him in the crib.

    Also, thanks for your blog – I have a baby two months younger than Henry and it has been so helpful and reassuring to see someone being honest about the joys and challenges of being an active new mom.

    • Caitlin January 10, 2013, 9:15 am

      Oh my god, that is hysterical!!!

  • Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction.com January 10, 2013, 9:13 am

    Awww poor thing! Henry is smart, he seems to be doing everything earlier than most babies. I bet this will pay off later in life 🙂

    • Caitlin January 10, 2013, 9:16 am

      It’s cool that he’s so mobile but I also feel like it’s stealing a lot of his ‘baby time’ away from us!!! He’s too curious and doesn’t know not to do certain things like (like try to eat anything and everything). We are UBER baby proofed but I really don’t want him wandering around at night!!!

  • Sharon January 10, 2013, 9:16 am

    Yikes! My mother-in-law used to tell stories of securing a baby gate on top of the crib to keep her daughter in – mattress was lowered as far as it would go. I always thought of it as a jail bed.

  • DadHTP January 10, 2013, 9:19 am

    haha – I told you!

  • Kim January 10, 2013, 9:23 am

    Have you lowered your crib? My son is about 2 weeks older than Henry and also very mobile (speed crawling, standing, cruising, about to walk and he also climbs anything and everything he can).

    About a month ago, he started pulling up in his crib, so the first time he did that, we lowered the crib to the lowest position. He still pulls up in it, but the railing is way too high for him to climb out. And he’s over 30″ tall (100%) and with super long legs and still can’t come close to climbing out. I know Henry is shorter, so it sounds like you really need to lower your crib! He could seriously hurt himself if he climbed/fell out since he can’t walk yet.

    • Caitlin January 10, 2013, 9:27 am

      It’s as low as it goes. 🙁 I want a crib that goes to the ceiling. LOL

      • Elizabeth January 10, 2013, 1:23 pm

        you need one of those ones you see in pictures of old hospitals with the crazy high sides!

  • Amanda January 10, 2013, 9:24 am

    Do you still have bumpers? I’d remove them! They can act as boosters to help the little bugger climb out. We had to drop our baby’s mattress and remove bumpers because he was pulling himself toward the high rail and trying to fling himself over it. Only a matter of time before he figured out how to use the bumpers to do it.

    • Caitlin January 10, 2013, 9:27 am

      I loosened the bumpers so they just collapse if he steps on them. But that’s a great tip.

  • Courtney Leigh January 10, 2013, 9:26 am

    That, Henry! Never a dull moment!

    Hope your vacation goes well. Bring your rain boots! We are in the middle of a monsoon down here in South Louisiana. Even if it doesn’t rain this weekend everything is still going to be WET! Oh and they already have a lot of streets closed around the SuperDome in preparation for the Super Bowel, so avoid that area if possible. Bennachin is an African restaurant on Royal St. that is a great vegetarian option depending on how much free time you’ve got this weekend.

  • Joanna January 10, 2013, 9:29 am

    Oh no! When that day comes for me when my son can pull himself up and attempt to climb over the railing, I will freak out too! I have to say that it is so funny that he was just sitting there. I can just imagine that he was planning what to do. Haha!

    My little one is getting his two month shots today. Did you have a post on your views on immunizations by any chance or your experiences with baby shots?

    • Caitlin January 10, 2013, 9:40 am

      Hope his shots go well!

      • Jen January 10, 2013, 8:22 pm

        Ha ha – not touching that one with a ten foot pole, are you, Caitlin? =-)

  • Samantha January 10, 2013, 9:35 am

    Time for a crib tent! Henry is so adorable!

  • Amanda January 10, 2013, 9:51 am

    The boy I used to nanny for had a zip up tent on top of his crib so he couldn’t escape. It might give you a little piece of mind at night!

  • Sarah January 10, 2013, 9:53 am

    I hear you on the craziness of having a mobile baby- I can’t imagine having to deal with it as early as you are! My son is 9 months and just know a master crawler. It makes for an interesting day especially since cords are his new favorite thing- yikes!

  • Halsy January 10, 2013, 9:55 am

    Wow! I can’t believe he is already trying to get out of the crib! I’m dreading that day! My nieces and nephews started that around 9 months and did it every night until they were out of their cribs at around 2! Henry is such an advanced little guy! His motor skill development is in overdrive 🙂 good luck!

  • Erin January 10, 2013, 10:06 am

    Henry is so advanced for his age! My LO is 6 months and just mastering sitting! I’m happy to have her immobile as long as possible 🙂

  • Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin January 10, 2013, 10:16 am

    I think coconut makes everything look prettier! Sorry about the rough nights sleep. Henry is becoming a little ninja baby! My mom said when I was a baby and we would be driving somewhere I would escape my car seat every single time. She would be focused on the road and the next thing she knew I was crawling up into the front seat.

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape January 10, 2013, 10:28 am

    Sounds like you have a little adventurer on your hands! Hope Henry feels better for your weekend vacation!

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action January 10, 2013, 10:37 am

    haha That’s so cute! Babies are adorable to watch when they’re trying to figure something out- they really are so determined to do it themselves.

    Good luck keeping him contained in his crib at night.

  • meagan January 10, 2013, 10:38 am

    Wow! I do not envy your position. Crib tents are something you could consider, but I did a quick Google search and it looks like they’re kind of controversial. A certain brand–called Tot in Mind–was recalled this summer. The hazard comes if babies are able to tear the fabric then get tangled in it.

    Maybe a mattress on the floor below and then uber baby proofing? Make sure all dressers are secured, all drawers are secured, etc?

  • Jessie January 10, 2013, 10:42 am

    Crib tent?? I know some ppl think they’re cruel but not if it’s for safety! I have a 15.5 month old who isn’t even walking yet. Didn’t crawl until 10 months and definitely hasn’t tried to escape her crib. Crazy how different babies can be. I always tell ppl “she’s a talker, not a walker!”

  • Jillian@Reshape Your Life January 10, 2013, 10:42 am

    You’ve gotten some good advice, I think if your crib is as low as it will go, it’s time to invest in a crib tent. I don’t have any kids personally so I don’t know first hand, but know people who do and have used them and I think it will give you a lot more peace of mind.

  • Alli January 10, 2013, 10:53 am

    I can’t believe how quickly your little boy is becoming uber-mobile! It seems like he is such a delight… it won’t be long before he is running around your house, you trailing behind! Just out of curiosity (and sorry if you’ve answered this before!) where did you purchase your baby furniture?

    • Caitlin January 10, 2013, 10:57 am

      the dresser was mine as a kid, the crib is from walmart!

  • Jamie January 10, 2013, 10:57 am

    That is crazy that he is already doing that! My son was so different- he was a talker but not really physical. I was a single mom when he was little and he would stay put. I could take a shower and leave him in his room playing with toys and come out and he would be pretty much in the same spot. I can’t imagine having to worry about escaping 6 month olds! I am pregnant right now with my second and she is pretty active in there though so we’ll see what happens. Good luck.

  • Dani @ Live Lightly Everyday January 10, 2013, 10:58 am

    What a scary feeling! You have got a strong one on your hands! He is also just a typical boy… I grew up with four brother (three younger), and they were all such monkeys!

  • Tiffany January 10, 2013, 11:06 am

    That’s crazy! I’m wondering now if different cribs have different heights for lowering. There is no way my daughter could get her leg up close to getting out of our crib (at its lowest level) and she’s 17 months old! She’s never tried it though (only stands up and looks over the railing).

  • Claire January 10, 2013, 11:09 am

    Do you really think he could get out of the crib, even if he’s trying to pull up? My girl is pretty mobile and agile and is a year old (and is running and crawling all over everything) but since the crib rail is still over her shoulders when she stands (and there’s nothing in the crib with her for her to stand on), I don’t see how she could physically get herself over the edge, so it’s never occurred to me to worry about it. Since Henry’s not particularly tall (you said he’s 50th percentile for height I think?) honestly I wouldn’t worry about it too much. And to be honest, that’s why I’m glad I don’t have a video monitor! It sounds like borrowing trouble.

    If you’re really worried, you could always just do a Montessori-style bed for him.

  • Ahsley January 10, 2013, 11:13 am

    So crazy! I have twins and I think we’re “connected” too somehow. They just started daycare on Tues/Thurs so I can work part-time and my plan was to wake up early on those days to get myself ready, get our stuff ready, then wake them to feed and get them ready.
    Today was day #1 and I woke up 90 minutes early. Guess who woke up about 5 minutes after I did? Yep….the babies! How did they know!?
    This is not the first time this has happened, either! Its like – as soon as I get up, they get up too (and I’m very quiet so its not a noise thing)! Craziness!

  • Michelle S January 10, 2013, 11:21 am

    Around 7 months I heard a noise in the middle of the night. I went to the nursery and found my son had pulled himself over the high rail, out of the bed and was turning on the cd player with the music that we put him to sleep to. He’s been Mr. Independent ever since.

    • theprimalweigh January 10, 2013, 2:44 pm

      LOL! My son did the exact same thing at seven months. Except I came running when I heard him hit the floor. Scared me to death! After that we started co-sleeping.

  • Jen January 10, 2013, 11:24 am

    I, too, am having a hard time seeing how he could crawl out already if his mattress is as low as it goes. My daughter is almost 2 and 90% for height and can’t get out (and she’s a climber – she can get from the bar stools to the kitchen counter if you let her). But we also don’t have a bumper at all in the crib so there’s nothing for her to step on. Can you take the bumper out entirely?

    I wouldn’t do a crib tent. I think most of them have been recalled for safety reasons.

  • Elisabeth January 10, 2013, 11:49 am

    My mom has told me a story about going to get me from my crib one morning & I wasn’t there. She was freaking out & then discovered me sleeping on the floor under it. She had no idea how I managed to get out & underneath because I wasn’t even 6 months old. 😉

  • Cassidy January 10, 2013, 12:12 pm

    I think that all the babies of the world came together and decided that they were not going to sleep. Night time is for playing. Parents are suckas. Yeah, and like other readers suggested, make sure Henry’s mattress is as low as it goes. And, hard as it is, take out all bumpers; my daughter tried to climb up on her bumpers, and they were out of her crib faster than she could blink.

  • Karen @ Runner Girl Eats January 10, 2013, 12:13 pm

    Oh my! I’d be sooo nervous! Hope he’s feeling better for his first vacay 🙂

  • sara @ fitcupcaker January 10, 2013, 12:16 pm

    I love french toast, I make mine with ezekial bread..so good!

  • Kaitlyn January 10, 2013, 1:09 pm

    If it makes you feel any better, I actually did “fall” out of my crib when I was a baby (maybe 9 months?) Apparently my parents were eating dinner in the dining room, right below my bedroom, heard this big thump and a very loud scream (the floor was not carpeted). I also fell out of one of those carriers that carries the baby i front of you….my Dad forgot to fasten one of the sides.
    I know that thinking about your child falling/hurting themselves is scary (I work with infants and teach a toddler class…I see it every day!), but, if (heaven forbid) it DOES happen, he will cry, but he will be okay 🙂

  • Catherine January 10, 2013, 1:57 pm

    Haha that cracks me up because my baby does the same thing… she wakes up and just quietly sits there looking so innocent, but I’m beginning to think she’s actually plotting something naughty 🙂 I know it’s probably wracking your nerves, but I doubt he will be able to escape with the mattress dropped to the lowest level. I know he’s a light baby, but it’s very unlikely that his arm muscles have developed to the point where he can hoist himself without having something to stand on. I had to drop the mattress and remove the bumpers at 6 months, as well. She has gotten her limbs stuck and bumped her head on the bars a couple times, but I’m not even sure the bumpers can prevent that at this age. She started grabbing the strings and untying them anyway. Such a rascal! I think it’s something with June 2012 babies because I know another person who has a June 2012 baby and he is also a handful! Just wait until they’re teenagers…

  • Jeannette January 10, 2013, 2:04 pm

    I am the same way! My daughter is 7 months and I often wake up to complete silence and then hear her wake up a few minutes later. My husband thinks I subconsciously hear her first and then wake up, but I think it is some kind of mama-baby connection. The bond is crazy!

  • Kitchenbelle January 10, 2013, 3:28 pm

    Does he sleep in a sleep sack? I found that helpful in preventing the baby from getting out of the crib. It buys you some time until he learns how to unzip it and take it off (and then get out of the crib)!

    • Caitlin January 10, 2013, 3:36 pm

      Genius!!!!

      • LL January 11, 2013, 1:45 pm

        That is what my sister did and what I plan to do. It worked like magic!

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More January 10, 2013, 3:33 pm

    First of all – that breakfast looks freaking FANTASTIC!
    Second of all – Henry ESP can also be called being a mommy. 😉

  • Meghan January 10, 2013, 3:36 pm

    My 2nd and 3rd children climbed out of their cribs so we used the mesh crib tents. Worked well!

  • Ali January 10, 2013, 4:34 pm

    Ditch the crib and try a floor bed!

  • Emma January 11, 2013, 1:51 am

    Mattress on the floor and completely baby proof the room (consider a baby gate on the bedroom door too unless you’re happy to have door closed). I think this might be a montessori approach, so not considered too outrageous.

    Good luck!

  • J January 11, 2013, 8:05 am

    hi there, I have used sleep sacks for both of my kids (ages 2.5 and 7 months) and they have yet to try to get out of the crib (knock on wood). yes, the 2.5 year old still wears one and i will keep her in one until she goes to a big girl bed. I find them very helpful, and the kids love it! baby dee dee has great ones for winter. because they are in a sleep sack, they dont realize that they can hitch their legs over the side of the crib. I’d start it ASAP so henry kind of “forgets” about his attempts. good luck!

  • Andrea January 11, 2013, 10:33 am

    I’ve been going through this with my baby! She is 14 mos and she has been trying to climb out for about 4 months now. I have an old crib mattress from my first daughter that I keep in tucked under the crib during the day and at night I pull it out in front of the crib and put pillows on the sides of the crib, so that if she does get out, that stuff can hopefully break her fall a bit. We also have an angel care monitor that we used about until she was 6 mos, but we hooked it back up because an alarm will go off if she gets out of the crib since it detects movement.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 11, 2013, 5:00 pm

    Oh my!! Smart little guy – and adorable too!!

  • Lara January 11, 2013, 11:45 pm

    This happens to me! I often wake up right before G does. I think it’s a special mommy/baby connection!

  • Sara January 12, 2013, 1:25 pm

    Has he ever slept in a sleep sack?? We use them and I plan on continuing as long as possible. She can’t get a leg over the crib with the sack on.

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