Do I still need a playard/pack n play?

[nonamestill]

We have a crib and changing table in the nursery and a bassinet in our bedroom for when the baby is really small. We live in a 1-floor apartment and originally, we didn't plan on registering for a playard/pack n play. We don't think it's essential for us to have one, and we don't really have the space for it. A friend wants to get us one. Are there any other benefits to having one that I might be overlooking? Thanks!

[bubbaray]

Other than as a second change/sleeping area when they are young (we used it instead of a cosleeper), they are VERY handy for when you travel. If you don't travel often, maybe you don't need it.

[MoJo]

Originally Posted by bubbaray

Other than as a second change/sleeping area when they are young (we used it instead of a cosleeper), they are VERY handy for when you travel. If you don't travel often, maybe you don't need it.

[nonamestill]

We do travel a lot by plane and stay in hotels. Do we bring the pack n play with us on trips like these or do you mean road trips? Thank you!

[bubbaray]

Well, it depends on what age you're talking about and how comfortable you are/will be with your child sleeping in a crib that other children have used and that the hotel staff may or may not have cleaned properly.

For young children under age 2, we always brought our own PNP, regardless of mode of travel. Over age 2, its a YMMV kinda thing. For example, we took a PNP to Maui b/c the hotel couldn't guarantee a crib. We did not take one to Disney b/c the hotel assured us they would have a crib. We have had hit & miss experiences with hotel cribs. We did not take one to Palm Springs and wish that we had. We have used Westin (Heavenly!) cribs with success, but cleaned it with bleach wipes before use. Most hotels have PNPs, not real cribs, so they are pretty impossible to bleach/sanitize between users. All they do is put on (hopefully) clean linens.

[vonfirmath]

bubbaray: Do you worry about the bed linens being cleans at hotels? I figure hotel-crib/pack and play linens are washed just like the bed linens and towels are.

We also found the pack and play invaluable at home for containing our child when we needed to cook/run downstairs to start laundry/etc. We could put some toys in there and KNOW he was safe when we could not keep our eyes on him 100%.

[bubbaray]

Its not the crib/PNP linens that skeeve me out. Its the PNPs (mainly) and cribs (though like I said, I can wipe the cribs down). The mesh on the PNPs can look pretty icky.

JME

[WatchingThemGrow]

Originally Posted by vonfirmath

bubbaray: Do you worry about the bed linens being cleans at hotels? I figure hotel-crib/pack and play linens are washed just like the bed linens and towels are.

We also found the pack and play invaluable at home for containing our child when we needed to cook/run downstairs to start laundry/etc. We could put some toys in there and KNOW he was safe when we could not keep our eyes on him 100%.

We hope that the adults in hotel beds have better bowel control than babies in PnPs do My very own DD has smeared poo on the walls (the unwashable parts) of a PnP before, so I KNOW where she's coming from!

yeah, there is a point in the first year (can't remember when it is is - someone help me!) where I've felt the need to set up the PnP in the main living area or in the kitchen just so I could cook dinner, clean the floor or whatever without a mobile little one getting into EVERYTHING. A containment area can be a great thing!

[daisyd]

We also found the pack and play invaluable at home for containing our child when we needed to cook/run downstairs to start laundry/etc. We could put some toys in there and KNOW he was safe when we could not keep our eyes on him 100%.

I have a similar set up to OP's and did not think a PNP was necessary. We bought one when DS was 5 months and now in hindsight it would have made life a lot easier if we had got it when he was a newborn.

[nonamestill]

Thanks for the insight. So now, what brand do you all recommend? Is Graco still the best out there? What about the Chicco Lullaby or the Summer Infant Hug Me? Thanks