Crib Tents, What the Heck?

on February 16, 2012 at 2:45 PM

crib tents weird Help Me!There's no doubt about it, the baby business is booming. From super fun strollers to the most adorable baby clothes you've ever wanted to wear yourself, selling things to parents is making a lot of people a lot of cash. Hey, I'm all for wanting cuteness to surround your home, your baby, and your life. And anything that's going to make my life easier (hello, Ergo carrier!) as a new mom with only two hands is fab. I want it. Yet occasionally, a baby item comes along that makes you think a) how did this come into being?; and b) who's buying this stuff?

Which is what I'm wondering about the crib tent. What the heck is this for? Trapping fairies?

Sure I had an unnatural fear about my babies suddenly climbing out of their cribs and falling head first into brain damage. Who doesn't? But that's what lowering the mattress is for, and then moving your kiddo into a toddler bed. Keeping a tent over a bed just seems a little, I don't know, sociopath'ish. I kid, sort of.

If you have one of those climbers, you may need to do whatever it takes to ensure her safety. If a tent does the trick, more power to you. Just don't be surprised if your child develops an unnatural fear of being buried alive. But I'm sure you can do lots of immersion therapy for that when she's older, so don't worry. Kidding! Again, kind of.

Before those of you with special cases begin to pile on, I get it. I had a friend who would jump out of bed and go turn on the stove. His mom had to install a locked screen door on his bedroom until he was 8 years old. There are always the extremes. But for your run-of-the-mill baby, this crib tent thing seems like overkill. Weird, even. I don't get it.

Do you?

Image via eBay

About the author April Peveteaux

writes about anything that gets stuck in her craw. A mom of two in Los Angeles, she can't believe she practically lives in the country now after attempting to raise kids in Brooklyn.

Filed Under: baby gear, baby health, bedtime

Comments (29)

femaleMIKE

on Feb 16, 2012 at 2:50 PM

It looks like a cage.

like you said, its great for kids with special needs. The locked screen door was a good call.

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jaxmadre

To be honest, I was thinking about crib tents a couple of days ago. Not that I have any plans for more babies, but I was thinking--IF I DID, I would have to have a crib tent because of my cat. I'd be SO afraid of him curling up on my baby's head and suffocating baby. Having a baby, a cat, and an open crib would keep me up all night. Baby + cat + crib tent = peaceful night (well, until baby cries).

Nonmember comment from jess

on Feb 16, 2012 at 2:52 PM

I have one. I bought it because I am afraid of my cuddly cat getting in there with my baby. However, my son sleeps with us and we haven't used it at all. I'm thinking about selling it.

RhondaVeggie

on Feb 16, 2012 at 2:58 PM

They're for keeping cats out, not babies in.

BriLee

on Feb 16, 2012 at 3:00 PM

These have been around for decades. I used to baby sit a toddler that they had to use one because their 10 month old would climb out. This was 20 years ago. By the way, she's not afraid of closed spaces now. These tents are light and airy. Crib bars are more constricting.

Cats are another great reason for these. Last thing you want is your cat in bed with your infant. Not just for suffocation but cat hair and such in the crib. Eeeew!

kebates

on Feb 16, 2012 at 3:04 PM

The crib tents are great for kids who insist on climbling out of their cribs. Also good for keeping cats out. My friend used one with her son when we would climb out and fall, and banged his head a couple times. Not that it would be impossible to get out, but makes it harder so less chance someone gets hurt.

Zamaria

on Feb 16, 2012 at 3:05 PM

I need one! Both of my little ones climb out of their cribs. The mattress is as low as it goes. I swear they're half monkey. They can climb anything. They are super quiet about it too. I can hear the slightest noise on the monitor, but they still manage to sneak out and get into trouble. And we have already had one set of stitches because of this. It think it's a good idea if the baby won't stay in or the cat won't stay out!

Nonmember comment from Kaycee

on Feb 16, 2012 at 3:06 PM

We will be buying one to keep the cat and big siblings out of baby's space. We are buying it because we need it. I didn't even know they existed until a month ago. I don't know who would buy one just to have one...

Nonmember comment from moerig

on Feb 16, 2012 at 3:20 PM

My son was 9 months old so I purchased a cib tent for his own safety and he is now 14 yrs old and is just fine

angevil53

on Feb 16, 2012 at 3:25 PM

i wouldn't use one to keep a kid in--i would train the child in a toddler bed to not get out. it's ridiculous nowadays that parent's aren't around to actually parent and train and teach their children instead relying on things like this to get the result they want. but guess what, you're going to have to train your child to bed sometime might as well do it when they are ready and not just when you are.