Need help for unique situation - bassinet, PNP, ??

[larig]

we started with a pack n play in our bedroom too (very small bedroom at that). We were going to move ds into his own room after a month or so (after my mom left), but we decided we wanted him to stay in our room as we liked him there. He was having some breathing issues so it was good to monitor him. After a month or so of using the pack n play I noticed that that the pack n play started to sag where his head was, so we decided to look for something a little more permanent. We wound up getting a Dream on Me portacrib (we felt better about this brand than delta because of all of delta's recalls, etc), which we have been very happy with. I will say, however that the mattress that comes with it leaves a little to be desired. It does have 3 settings, so when you are moved into your new place you could use it as a changing table.

[lowrioh]

We had our 5 month old sleeping in a PnP for over a month while we were overseas and she was fine and slept well. We did have one of the PnP mattress pads which some people wouldn't reccomend but I felt comfortable using it.

When she was first born we had one of those Travel-lite PnP that we borrowed and used the bassinet for a month or so. It was nice because it was a lot smaller than the regular PnP and fit in the bedroom better.


Friends of ours didn't have the space for a crib in their place so they had their little guy in a PnP for almost 8 months.
IMO, a PnP would be a good option for you for a short time arrangment.

[srhs]

I wanted DS in our room so he slept in each of these until he hit the weight limit:
first borrowed bassinett
then bassinett level on playard
then bottom of playard

Next time, though, I want an Arms Reach CoSleeper. If your wife plans to breastfeed, I just think these have to be that much more convenient.

However, with the playard, you have the option to keep DC out in the living room if being in your room doesn't work for some reason.

[GraceH]

I love my Graco Pack 'n Play Sport -- we originally got it b/c it could be used outdoors and indoors in addition to a playtent later...
... that being said, our 15 month old has been sleeping in it for almost 5 months because we've had to use his room for an unexpected guest -- he has no problem sleeping in it, the bottom is padded, plus, as the bottom of the playard is directly on the carpet (not raised like most), the carpet adds extra softness without the suffocation danger. We got ours in great used condition on eBay (they are discontinued in the US, but still sold in Canada, UK, etc.).

[kellyd]

We've had my DS in an arms reach cosleeper for almost all of his 7 1/2 months. He is more comfortable in it than he is in his crib. He sleeps wonderfully on the firmness of the pad in the co sleeper and doesn't sleep that well in his crib, I'm thinking even tho it's a firm mattress it's not firm enough for him. This has done nothing to impair his development. He rolled over early, crawled on schedule and w/in 1 wks time of crawling started pulling himself up to stand and sitting on his own.

[maybaby2009]

How safe are these co-sleepers? We won't be able to move our son into his crib for the first three months. I was thinking about the wood PNP but I don't think there is enough padding in it.

[poppy]

We had the Arm's Reach for the first 3 months and loved it. It is very safe. It made me feel good about having him so close by and helped me get more sleep b/c all I had to do was roll over and take care care of him.

It was recommended by the nurses at the NICU. Also, recommended by Dr. Sears. I would get the original, not the mini.

[Staraglimmer]

My daughter was 9 pounds 1 ounce. She slept in the arms reach cosleeper until she was about 4 months old. It was great for breastfeeding. We had the mini one. It was GREAT. She could have slept in it longer if we would have wanted her to. It did not take up that much room. It attached to the bed so that I did not even have to get up at night.

[MoJo]

Our DD slept in the Graco PNP (metal frame) for the first 6 months and was absolutely fine with it. We got the one with the bassinet on top, which comes with something they call a mattress. I wouldn't call it a mattress, but DD never minded. In fact, now that she's in a crib, she still occasionally sleeps in the play yard. We got the PNP sheets, but didn't buy an additional mattress of any kind.

We loved being able to travel and let her sleep in her own bed (it's not that hard to disassemble/reassemble). We loved having her in our room for the first several months, without worrying about the dangers of co-sleeping. (DH accidentally covered her with a comforter during a nap when I was sitting there awake and watching, so we said no co-sleeping with comforters, which means no co-sleeping). She had a crib & room for two or three months before we actually moved her, because she was doing so well in the PNP.

She was rolling to her side from the day she was born, rolling to her tummy at every opportunity by 4 months and has great sitting posture now. Even when lying on her back (we did put her "back to sleep") she usually slept with her head turned one way or the other. We never had any head shape issues; she was only in the PNP for sleep. Otherwise, she was usually with one of us.

We still use the play yard so I have a place to put her when I go downstairs to do laundry, and next time I travel I'll be taking it again. Now she just sleeps in the bottom instead of the bassinet. (The one we have, the "mattress" fits both the bassinet and the bottom of the yard).

The whole thing is still in great shape after daily use for naps and nights and after multiple trips out of state. I plan to do the same thing if we have DC #2.