Pack N Play Bassinett

[ilynnegrl]

I was wondering if anyone out there used a pack n play as their bassinett for the first few months of their baby's life? I have the space in my bedroom and don't really mind the look vs. the pretty traditional bassinett. I figure, if I am going to purchase the pack n play anyway, why not save a few dollars and use the bassinett feature. BUT, is it really a safe and comfortable option for the baby to sleep in every day?

Thanks,
Lynne

[jillc]

Hi Lynne,

Yep, I know several people who have done this. Friends who had pack n play models w/the bassinet spanning the whole length of the pack n play (not sure how to clearly explain... i.e., the full mattress was just raised up higher) mentioned that their babies seemed to always wiggle their way into a corner & my friends wondered if the babies would have preferred a more snug space to sleep. Lots of the pack n play models have a bassinet option such that you basically fold the full mattress while you've got it raised, so that it makes a smaller bassinet area & then 1/2 of the pack n play is just open. Know what I mean? We got one like this for my mom & dad's house, and it worked great.

I wasn't real impressed w/the bassinets on some of the display models at BRU, because it seemed to me like some of them sagged in the middle, and I wanted to be sure Abby would be sleeping on a firm flat surface for safety. I ended up w/the Graco TravelLite crib & really liked it. She slept in it next to our bed until she was too long to fit in it (5 months), and then I moved her into her crib. No complaints about the TravelLite Crib, other than the fact that the baby will outgrow it more quickly than a regular pack n play. It does fit through doorways though, so I really liked being able to move it from room to room easily. :)

HTH & best of luck.
Jill

[ilynnegrl]

Thanks Jill!

In my latest research, I have recently discovered the TravelLite cribs and was wondering about those instead of the Pack N Play. At this point, I anticipate that we will only use this as the initial bassinett and then for travels to grandparents homes which is making me think that the travellite might be a better option than a pack n play. I know many people say the pack n play is better, since it is bigger, and they can use it to keep their baby "contained", however, I am more concerned with ease of travel. Have you found the TravelLite easy to pack?

Lynne
EDD 5/10/05

[melapin]

My wife decided that we would be using the Pack n Play as the bassinet too. This helped her deicde which model Pack n Play to purchase. No baby yet, but the decision was made.

[jillc]

Yes, it's pretty easy to pack & it would be easier to travel with than the full sized pack n play would - BUT - it's not going to give you as much longevity. Once Abby had outgrown the length of the Travellite at about 5 mos, we have had to borrow a full sized pack n play for an overnight trip or two. I think if you're most concerned w/portability early on, then the Travellite is the way to go. If you want something that you can use after 6 months or so, you'll probably need a full sized one. It would be so nice to have one of each!! :)

Good luck.

I don't really have insight on using a pack n play to keep a baby contained (like a play pen). I'm sure my DD wouldn't go for this idea! We've relied on a bouncer seat & swing when we needed her to stay put for a short while. She loved the bouncer seat when she was little & that's the only way I could shower when she was young. :)

Best,
Jill

[burkesilver]

We used the PNP bassinet feature for the first 4-5 mos & it worked out great for us. Ours had only a 3/4 bassinet, not the full length model. I know some people who complained their full-length bassinets drooped in the middle, we did not have that problem. What did not work out for us, though, was using the PNP for sleeping when the mattress was lowered to the bottom, DS hated it & it was very hard on the back for mom & dad. We ended up getting a portable crib that we really like. We never used the PNP for playpen purposes.

[melonkelli]

We used the Pack and Play with the full length bassinet for about 6 months in our bedroom before moving DS to a crib in our second bedroom. At first he had some trouble with the wide open spaces since the bassinet was large in comparison to his tiny 5 1/2 lb body. But, he got used to it and would sleep for long periods of time.

We didn't have any problems with the mattress sagging, but I can see how that might be a problem. We did make sure to move him to the crib when he reached the weight limit printed on the bassinet. And we only put him in his sleeper in the bassinet (we didn't fill it with anything else). One thing we discovered was that we could lay him down and rock him to sleep because the bassinet is sort of floating in the Pack and Play. We didn't do that very often, but when it's the middle of the night and he's been up 3 or 4 times...

Once we moved him to the crib, we set up the Pack and Play (without the bassinet) in our living room for naps. He naps in the Pack and Play most days.

When we travel we either bring our Pack and Play for overnights, or borrow one from the people at our destination. He sleeps really well in the Pack and Play.

It has really worked out well for us. We have a very simple model with no electronics or changing pad/diaper holder/mobile, etc.

kelli

[pittsburghgirl]

We used the PNP bassinet also. Although after a few weeks we ended up moving DS into his own room because he made so much noise (snorting, etc.) that neither of us could sleep in the few hours between feedings, it was easier to move him across the hall and keep the doors open so we could still hear him. But, we had no problem with the bassinet and he napped in it until he outgrew it weight-wise.

The PNP is great for travel and even for the few times we have gone to friends' homes for dinner when we knew we would have to put him down. SOO easy to fold up.

Marilee
mommy to James
http://lilypie.com/baby1/050120/1/0/1/-5/.png

[howcass]

When you do this, what do you use for sheets, etc? Or what do you need?
Thanks!!

[ColorBlue]

Lynne,

No info on the travelight but we've used the pack n play just about everywhere and have always found it very easy to travel with. It folds very easily and to a relatively small size and is easy to carry with the carry handle.

HTH

Tracy

Grace 11/01
twins Ella and Madeline 10/04

[Sarah1]

Almost everyone I know used a PNP when their babes were first born. I'm planning to do it again for #2.

The PNPs are SO practical. When the baby gets older, you can use it as a playpen, and you can use it for traveling. Audrey is two (and tall for her age) and still sleeps in a PNP when we travel. At the very least, it's a great place to dump toys when you need to clean up!

Someone asked about the sheets--you can find wonderful, soft PNP sheets from fleecebaby.com. They are DREAMY! Good for warm or cool weather, and far superior to the scratchy Graco sheets.