nap mat opinions?

mrslaquinta

Kennedy needs a nap mat for MDO this year, and I'm going to make it for her.  I'm just not sure if I want to make the whole thing - meaning one piece with batting, pillow, etc. sewn in, or if I should do a cover for a kindermat (would still have pillow attached, but would be more like a big sham to go over the store-bought mat).  I like the waterproof-ness of the kindermat, but I think I would prefer one that rolls up instead of folding like the kindermat would.  They both would be washable, but the rolling mat would obviously be more bulky in the wash.  What do you think?  And yes, I know I'm over-thinking it, but if I'm going to go to the trouble of making it anyway, I don't want to regret the decision in a month. 

MrsAJL

I use a Kindermat for DS and made two covers for it.  I know JezcaM made a really cute nap mat/pillow bedroll for her DD.

ETA: DS doesn't sleep with a pillow and MDO or at home. He doesn't seem bothered by that at all.  I think when we transition him to a "big boy" bed, he'll have a pillow.

ETA2:  I hope I don't have to make a new mat cover every year!   He has two (one with a baseball theme and one with Texas A&M)  that are in really good condition, so we'll see. 

mrssnflwr

I made a cover for a Kindermat for DD last year, and I've been really happy with it. I also made it so I could remove the pillow to wash the whole thing. Here is the super easy tutorial I used (sorry can't make it clicky):

https://jennygarland.typepad.com/NapMatTutorial.pdf 

Taytee

I've never made or purchased a pillow that didn't bunch up in the wash. Therefore, minimal washing of all pillows is necessary to me. Abby has never had a pillow for MDO and has never seemed to care. But then she didn't have a pillow in her crib until about 18-20 months either.

We had/have a kindermat and I made a cover for it.

molliedb

ours are kindermats.  i dont love how they fold up but i like the washable cover and ours has an attached pillowcase that you can take the pillow out when you wash.  works perfect!

FusionLMT

You can make it waterproof and still washable with PUL fabric (the same stuff used in waterproof cloth diapers). It is sold at Joanns for $10 a yard, but you can usually find a 40% off coupon online.

Abrooks

We have a roll and the pillow is removable when washing. I like it a lot cuts super easy to transport and clean and is perfect for school. They use their mats on cots and it works perfect for us.

JezcaM

MrsAJL:

I use a Kindermat for DS and made two covers for it.  I know JezcaM made a really cute nap mat/pillow bedroll for her DD.

thanks g

the one i made rolls up super conveniently, but is also velcro along the seam so that it's completely washable. i stuffed the pillow really full (firm) so it has held up just fine to washing. it's comfy and she loves it. i wouldn't mind having a grown-up version of my own!

now i'm wondering if she can just use the same one this year or is it mom code that she needs a new one every year... :P

i think this is the one i made:

https://jennycrafts.vox.com/library/post/my-nap-mat-tutorial.html

CagleBaby

I just finished a cover for a kindermat. I plan to make another one so I can have a back up. I also made a part for the pillow. It is a lot like a pillow case. I wanted to be able to take the pillow out while washing the cover. Mine has a blanket attached.