May 2018 Moms

Product Guide: Cribs, Bassinets, and Co-sleepers

I thought I'd start the first product guide. Please review what you've used in the past and feel free to ask any questions. 

For STMs+:
  • Crib, bassinet, and/or co-sleeper used:
  • Link/picture:
  • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
  • Pros:
  • Cons:
  • Is there another one you don't have but are considering? Why?:
  • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers:
Me: 36 DH: 36
TTC #1 since September 2015
*TW*
BFP #1: CP, April 2016
BFP #2: 10/5/16, MMC 11/3/16 at 7w5d (embryo stopped @ ~6 weeks), misoprostol 11/11/16 (EDD 6/16/17)
Dx: Luteal phase defect, uterine polyps, stage 2 endometriosis, low morphology
Uterine polyp removal (laparoscopy) 3/28/17
BFP #3: 6/19/17, MMC 7/11/17 at 6w3d, misoprostol 7/17/17 (EDD 3/1/18)
BFP #4: 8/25/17 EDD 5/4/18

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Re: Product Guide: Cribs, Bassinets, and Co-sleepers

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  • I agree with @artlea2013 . We used the newborn napper attachment in our pack n play in our bedroom door the first 4 months until she sized out. She had horrible reflux and couldn't sleep flat, so the slight incline (rec'd by her ped) was a game changer. She was a happy camper in the napper! No cons for me. I liked having her in the room, but not right next to my bed. I never nursed her in bed for fear of falling asleep and smothering her. So for me, a bedside bassinet want necessary.

    Her crib is the Kendall from Pottery Barn Kids. We moved her into it at 4 months. It's normally $599, but on sale for $319 right now! https://www.potterybarnkids.com/m/products/kendall-fixed-gate-crib/
    We actually got it used from my husband's boss. He bought it for his grandchild and they only used it 3 times. Be careful of used cribs though. Make sure it meets the new standards and no dropsides. It's a nice solid no frills crib and DD (16 months)loves it. 
  • @hollieileen I was actually thinking about setting up a changing station like I did with DS in the living room. I'll pull out the extra pack n play instead.  Thanks, girl.
  • We used a crib, tried it in the nursery but gave up because my DS was and still is not a great sleeper. He literally nursed every 1.5-2 hours 24 hours a day for about 8 months. I know they say not to, but we ended up cosleeping because we all needed sleep. We ended up moving his crib to our room to ease it and putting it next to our bed similar to this (sorry I can't find my own picture but it was pretty much the same.) It gave him his own space to sleep but near enough that I could also sleep! He now is in a twin bed across the room but I think we will be moving him to his own room at some point during this pregnancy

  • bwow615bwow615 member
    edited October 2017
    We used the napper in the pack n play for the first 6 weeks next to the bed. Halfway through maternity leave we felt it was a good time to try transition him to his crib in his own room which he is still in. Also don't want to think about transitioning him out of the crib because he's contained and a pretty decent sleeper.  
    The pack n play we got was the Chicco lullaby  https://www.target.com/p/chicco-lullaby-dream-all-in-one-playard-indigo/-/A-50796484?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=1016439&gclid=CjwKCAjwgvfOBRB7EiwAeP7ehkI1EYbYyVrWIQ8uEwPwab67YZ4QO9SRrk6J92f5xY0scohqXzf3MhoCvk4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
    I think it was a little on the pricier side and we actually didn't use it too much after he was out of the napper. 
    The crib we got was from bru,  https://goo.gl/images/QaFemB
    Its a convertible so will transition to a toddler bed then a full size bed. Love it :smile: it was 399.99 but I'm pretty sure we had some coupons. 

    With the new lo we will prob do a similar set up. In the napper with us for a few weeks then transition to a crib in their own room.  
    For naps, ds wouldn't sleep anywhere but on me for the first 3 months. Prob a ftm inexperience thing, but I couldn't resist the cuddles and snuggles during napping with him. 

    Eta new link for pack n play, didn't mean to share a link for lemon muddy buddies ;)
  • DS slept in a rock n' play for the first month-ish, if he wasn't sleeping on my chest.
    *TW!!! he had an issue that traumatized me at the hospital and I was afraid he was going to not make it if he slept on his back. He was on his back in his  bassinet in my hospital room, when he spat out a reddish bile, which he proceeds to choke on... so I was deathly afraid to put him alone on his back when we went home. ** END TW.

    That was all I had for co-sleep stuff because we hadn't set up the pack n play. I'd use that if I had to, but am looking for a little cosleeper bed (side crib? not good with words currently). 
    I had a hand-me-down crib, and will be buying a new one for this bebe. I'll start with the cosleeper bed thing and then for naps a couple months in, start introducing the crib. Sorry I don't have more advice.
  • What rock n play do people like best?  I want to get one for this baby.  I didn't have for my other 2.
    *Married 7/29/11
    BFP 10/2/13, EDD 6/3/14
    Gave birth to my beautiful son, Owen Robert on 6/4/14!
    BFP #2 8/28/15, EDD 5/5/16


  • We got a bassinet for DD1. If any part of her body touched it she would scream. 

    Graco PnP in our room until 6 months, then crib in baby room.

    This time, might move to crib earlier.

    Bassinets are expensive and in the best case you use them for 5 months. Money better spent elsewhere.
    • Crib, bassinet, and/or co-sleeper used: Crib-Sorelle Cape Cod 4-in-1 Crib & Changer in Espresso
    • Link/picture:https://m.buybuybaby.com/m/product/sorelle-cape-cod-4-in-1-crib-changer-in-espresso/1018955008?categoryId=32610+4294965885+4294966188 [spoiler][/spoiler]
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $499.99
    • Pros: It has survived two moves, 3.5 years, and a transition to a toddler bed. It was easy to convert and came with the rails to make it a toddler bed. The storage is decent and it can convert to a full bed frame and night stand. 
    • Cons: it was a nightmare to put together. I thought DH was going to burn it. 
    • Is there another one you don't have but are considering? Why?: nope. We were pretty set on this crib. 
    • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers: we didn’t use the crib consistently until he was 8 or 9 months.  We probably would have started earlier but we loved with my mom for two months while we were waiting to close on our house and used the PNP during that time. 
    • Crib, bassinet, and/or co-sleeper used: Graco Pack N Play with Reversible Newborn sleeper
    • Link/picture:https://m.buybuybaby.com/m/product/graco-reg-pack-39-n-play-reg-playard-with-reversible-napper-changer-trade-in-sprinkle-trade/1044038359 [spoiler] [/spoiler]
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $99.99
    • Pros: very versatile. We had it in our room for the first few months and used the newborn napper as his bed. We used the regular part as his bed when we loved with my mom and then used it as a play yard for him as an older infant. Everyone needs a PNP. 
    • Cons: the mattress it comes with is awful so if you want to use the PNP for sleeping, I’d suggest getting a better mattress. 
    • Is there another one you don't have but are considering? Why?: nope. We will use it again for this baby in our room. 
    • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers: get something to keep the baby in your room in the beginning. It makes feedings so much easier. 
  • I think we got the Fisher Price rock n play. It didn't have the automatic rocker, but it did have the vibration. He would lay in that every once in a while. I know my nephew slept in his for the first few months. 
  • We go ts the Fisher Price Rock n Play 2 weeks after kid #1 was born and it SAVED OUR LIVES- both kids hated their cribs for a long long time. Plus it could go right next to the bed so nighttime nursing was super easy. Now they have really fancy ones that rock and buzz and play music, but we did fine with the plain old rock it yourself variety. 
    • Crib, bassinet, and/or co-sleeper used:  Rock 'n play, basic pack 'n play, and Dream on Me 4-in-1 mini crib
    • Link/picture:
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):  $120ish for the crib, the others were cheaper.
    • Pros:  The RnP was a lifesaver with number one.  He slept in that for several months.  Didn't use it much with #2.
    • Cons:  The mini crib mattress doesn't take standard crib sheets, but really that's not much of a con.  
    • Is there another one you don't have but are considering? Why?:  No.
    • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers:  I'm a huge proponent of room sharing.  Personally, we practice safe bed sharing, but that's not for everyone (though it helped my sleep deprivation so so so much.  I was not human or safe with number one because I tried so hard not to bed share with him).
    November Siggy Challenge
      
  • @mileswithmyles. We have the same color/style pack n play.  I still love how it looks! 
    fail halloween fall costume minions GIF
  • Bassinet we used:  https://m.buybuybaby.com/m/product/fisher-price-reg-rock-n-play-portable-bassinet/1040811116
    I think she was in it for first 5-6 months.  And she was a big, long baby.   Loved it.  Easy to fold, pack, move around.
      Cons:  no sheets so you have to wash the whole pad.  Never a problem for us, but could see it being an issue.


    fail halloween fall costume minions GIF
  • We used the exact pack n play as @hollieileen. It's held up so well and worked great in our room until we moved DD to her crib. I love the little napper "cuddle cove" but the changing pad part was terrible. It wasn't flat and DD would roll to the side. We nixed it and just changed her on the pnp.

    DDs crib is a Delta brand we purchased from Amazon. They don't carry that style anymore so I can't link to it. Overall the brand is good but it does scratch easily. On the lower price point but DD is 3 and still sleeps in it as the toddler bed. It will last another few years with baby #2. 
    • Crib, bassinet, and/or co-sleeper used: Pack n Play with the newborn Napper for the first month (her room was across the hall). Then crib which she's still in at 20 months. Crib is an iron one from Restoration Hardware. (Stock photo cause I'm not home this month) 
    • Link/picture:
    •  
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $$$$ 
    • Pros: it's BEAUTIFUL, no worries about teething on wood, still can be gender neutral. 
    • Cons: it doesn't turn into a toddler bed or anything. 
    • Is there another one you don't have but are considering? Why?: The Halo Bassinet to help with the tight space that is our master. 
    • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers: This one will be in our room for a lot longer this time as the nursery is across the house. So I need something that won't take up the entire room. 

    • Crib, bassinet, and/or co-sleeper used: 1.  We had 2 pack & plays, one in our room and one in the living room (simple one, not with the portable bouncy seat etc). This was a lifesaver. 2. In the nursery we have the storkcraft Tuscany 4 in 1 crib. 
    • Link/picture: https://www.amazon.com/Stork-Craft-Tuscany-Convertible-Espresso/dp/B002A9IZ0Q
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $199 for the crib
    • Pros: loved having all of the options and the crib converts to a toddler bed. 
    • Cons: spent a lot of money but IMO worth it!!
    • Is there another one you don't have but are considering? Why?: Nope
  • PearlvirusPearlvirus member
    edited October 2017
    This seems to be a minority opionion, but I'm not a huge fan of the pack and play. They are so hard and lumpy - I wouldn't want to sleep on that! So we go this for traveling and I feel better:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004JU0H6O/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1507805507&sr=8-3&keywords=pack+and+play+mattress&dpPl=1&dpID=31nmK1LwwEL&ref=plSrch
  • We used a crib, tried it in the nursery but gave up because my DS was and still is not a great sleeper. He literally nursed every 1.5-2 hours 24 hours a day for about 8 months. I know they say not to, but we ended up cosleeping because we all needed sleep. We ended up moving his crib to our room to ease it and putting it next to our bed similar to this (sorry I can't find my own picture but it was pretty much the same.) It gave him his own space to sleep but near enough that I could also sleep! He now is in a twin bed across the room but I think we will be moving him to his own room at some point during this pregnancy

    We tried this arrangement when we gave in to cosleeping with DS1 at about 8 months. Only problem was he could tell he was in his crib and so would worm his way out onto my pillow and then go to sleep... He was very determined lol!
  • FTM mom here and this is super helpful. My “plan” (lol it seems like with babies our plans don’t really matter) is to do a bassinet by the bed for a few months and then switch to a crib so I’m trying to find a good reliable bassinet that won’t break the bank bc I won’t use it for long. So thank you all for your comments! Super helpful! (Also I’m a product researching nerd so obviously this is my type A dream land) 
  • This seems to be a minority opionion, but I'm not a huge fan of the pack and play. They are so hard and lumpy - I wouldn't want to sleep on that! So we go this for traveling and I feel better:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004JU0H6O/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1507805507&sr=8-3&keywords=pack+and+play+mattress&dpPl=1&dpID=31nmK1LwwEL&ref=plSrch
    So do you just use the mattress and no pack n play? We used this inside our pnp at home and had a thick fluffy sheet for it when traveling. 
  • @Pearlvirus @momo214 we bought a thicker mattress to use for the Pack n Play. Not super convenient for traveling, but it was great while we were living with my mom. 
  • Can someone explain what exactly a pack n play is?? I am feeling clueless but I'm looking at the product info and still not really getting it. From this post it seems like every mom has one but I've never even heard of them before.
  • holli0801holli0801 member
    edited October 2017
    @momo214 the changing table worked for us until about 6 months. DS was a big boy.

    @Pearlvirus I put a think blanket under the mattress when little, and pillows when big enough to not worry about suffocating 
    eta: kids in many countries sleep in boxes just fine. We over do the need for lush accommodations here  :D

    @thunderberry pack n plays are easily  collapsible, and portable. They can be used for sleeping, or playing in a contained environment. I like the ones with a little bassinet and changing table on top bc they are nice when they are little, and when they are bigger and starting to move around, it is nice to be able to set them in there while you make dinner, pee etc and don't have your full attention on what they could get into. They are also used for sleeping in place of a crib. Most  convenient when traveling. 
  • @momo214 I meant I put that mattress inside the pack and play

    @hollieileen I've seen those baby boxes and I'm sure they're fine, but both mine had/have a really hard time with sleep, so I'll do anything that might make it a little better - and it did seem to help a little!

    The safety warning on the pack and plays strongly warn against lose blankets or pillows so I just felt more comfortable with a mattress / snug sheet. 
  • @thunderberry pretty much what @hollieileen said.  They are really versatile, portable, fairly lightweight and compact to travel with, etc.   It is an item that grows well with the baby through the first year.  It was one of our most used items for the first year.  We have used it less and less since and finally packed it up to the attic around the time he turned 2 and switched to a toddler bed.   Now we have a travel cot for DS.
  • Used a hand-me-down bassinet, although I'd like to get a new one for this baby. Liked having DD right next to me so I could take care of her without having to get out of bed. *TW loss mentioned I was also paranoid of SIDS, so it was comforting to know I could peek over and see that she was still breathing whenever I woke up concerned. end TW* I'd love to try a Halo this time, but not sure we can budget it in.

    Moved to crib around 4 months. https://www.toysrus.com/product?productId=101909056 We plan on re-using it for this baby and eventually converting it to a full bed. DD now has her own separate full bed - we knew we'd eventually want another baby and didn't want to have to buy another crib. Loved that the crib had several height levels and it was super easy to change. MIL bought it, so we didn't have to put any cost into it. I think it was around $350 at the time? We also got the separate changing table that matches.

    Also had a pnp for the living area, very similar to this one. https://www.toysrus.com/product?productId=88342326 I loved having the easy-to-clean changing area and a napper on it. The one we got also had a little music player. DD hated being in the big bottom part when she was awake. She wanted to roam!!! We rarely moved it, so whenever we did take it down, it was a pain because I didn't know what I was doing lol. I'm sure if I had read the directions and did it more often, it wouldn't have been as hard. Also was another gift. May have been around $125??





    BFP 9/11/13   EDD 5/21/14   MC 9/20/13  <3
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    BFP 2/25/14   EDD 11/5/14   BD 11/4/14
    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers

    BFP 8/26/17  EDD  5/5/18
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  • For any first time mom's who are worried about the cost, you should contact any local pregnancy centers. I know where I live parents and grandparents can go take a Safe Sleeping class at a Pregancy Center (it's about a 45 minute talk about safe ways for baby to sleep) but then they give you a pack n play for taking the course. I know a lot of people who did it with grandparents so they had a place for baby at their house to for visiting, babysitting, etc. I don't know if any of your areas have that but it's worth a google search! 
  • We used the rock and play for both kids for the first ~4ish months and then worked on transitioning to the crib. But we still occasionally used the RnP because they were both ear infection prone and our younger one also had reflux so sometimes we'd make an effort at the crib and if it was obviously going to be a rough night, we'd give up and convert back to RnP.

    We have the plain old, original RnP. No music, doesn't move without us rocking it, etc.

    We used a pack and play for naptime downstairs during the day. We did this much more with our older child since once he napped there wasn't a bunch of noise. Second kid ended up in the nursery mostly after the first two or so months because otherwise he would've been woken up by big bro playing. Really, this was probably unnecessary because the RnP is so light and portable, but I do like having something I don't have to move around for the first couple months, especially if you were to have  c section and not want to carry stuff and walk up and down (I never had one, but this is what I hear...)


    Our crib is baby cache brand. It was expensive but grandma bought it. We moved into our new house like a week after we got our first BFP and the nursery needed to be painted so I just chose a color (aqua) but I didn't want white furniture so I ended up picking the crib based on the furniture color. Because I'm a grown up like that.


    I might get a bassinet this time. I do love the RnP but I might use it for daytime and use the bassinet at night. I get a little hyped about the risk of the RnP.

  • I remember researching the Rock n Plays last pregnancy but reading a warning that because they hold baby so snuggly, baby can develop flat spots on their head more easily and require a helmet. Obviously a ton of moms here have used them probably without issue, but that concerned me enough to shy away from one. 

    In addition to the napper attachment of the pack n play and the crib I previously mentioned, we used the snugapuppy Fisher Price swing and a simple Fisher Price bouncer for nap time in the living room. She loved her swing! I liked that it could lower or tilt to be flat or inclined, again a lifesaver for reflux. There were some days she was inconsolable but she'd fall asleep in the swing. Looks like it's on sale now too! 
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DGA06JQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507828627&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=snugapuppy+swing&dpPl=1&dpID=41Qp7LgEE0L&ref=plSrch

    Bouncer. Fisher-Price Baby Bouncer, Luminosity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IVNEFCM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Sq63zbY9NJ6EA
  • We used the pack and play in our room until around 5 months. Our pediatrician as well as the doctor we saw in the hospital told us to take off the bassinet/sleeper attachment that came with the pack in play because of the SIDS risk. We used his crib for naps along with the snug a puppy swing. It was a sad day when he became too big for the swing. It is easily one of my favorite baby purchases. 

    • Crib, bassinet, and/or co-sleeper used: crib is IKEA gulliver, pack n play was a basic graco with a hanging bassinet
    • Link/picture:
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $
    • Pros: both choices were economical and both take up small amounts of space- the crib especially takes up less room than many other brands
    • Cons: I'd normally say assembly for the crib, but you have to assemble most, if not all, cribs.
    • Is there another one you don't have but are considering? Why?: I really love ours, but I might get a more compact bassinet for the first few months with this baby since our rooms are small
    • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers: Sleep safety is something I feel very strongly about. Not all methods and products are are created equal in terms of sleep safety. I know we like to say "to each their own," and "do what works for you," but co-sleeping in the same bed is never safe or okay. While I can support a mom who does it in different aspects of her life and journey I cannot support or condone co-sleeping ever. Also, It's worth it to look into the safety ratings of specific cribs and bassinets you're looking at. I used consumer reports as my primary reference to do my research. I like them because they try to stick rigorously to unbiased and scientific techniques, don't accept free products for testing, and they don't print any ads. Also, you want nothing in the crib with baby- just a firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet and a pee protector. No bumpers, no toys, no blankets. If it's cold you can get sleep sacks to use instead of blankets.
  • cassloumy said:
    • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers: Sleep safety is something I feel very strongly about. Not all methods and products are are created equal in terms of sleep safety. I know we like to say "to each their own," and "do what works for you," but co-sleeping in the same bed is never safe or okay. While I can support a mom who does it in different aspects of her life and journey I cannot support or condone co-sleeping ever. 
    I do not agree. Co-sleeping can be done safely and it is far better to prepare for it then to fall asleep together accidentally or out of desperation. Comments like this make people scared to talk about it, which is stupid and unrealistic. 
  • cassloumycassloumy member
    edited October 2017
    cassloumy said:
    • Additional thoughts on cribs, bassinets, or co-sleepers: Sleep safety is something I feel very strongly about. Not all methods and products are are created equal in terms of sleep safety. I know we like to say "to each their own," and "do what works for you," but co-sleeping in the same bed is never safe or okay. While I can support a mom who does it in different aspects of her life and journey I cannot support or condone co-sleeping ever. 
    I do not agree. Co-sleeping can be done safely and it is far better to prepare for it then to fall asleep together accidentally or out of desperation. Comments like this make people scared to talk about it, which is stupid and unrealistic. 
    I do see where how I phrased that may be inflammatory, but I'm not a skilled enough writer to think of another way to word the same point more sympathetically. Unfortunately, I wrote about a fact- there is factually no safe way of sharing a sleep surface with an infant- and if you disagree with that then it's still true. There are ways that are less dangerous than others, but none of them are safe. Perhaps it is beneficial to talk about what is less dangerous for when parents are tired or overwhelmed, but I don't see any benefit to planning to commit to a proven unsafe practice like co-sleeping on the same surface.

    edited for redundancy and grammatical error
  • I would recommend the books Baby Bargains and Baby 411 also. Baby Bargains breaks down various categories of products with pros/cons and price categories, etc. it was very helpful for me as a new mom on a budget. 

    Baby Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on baby cribs, car seats, strollers, high chairs and much, much more! 2017 update! https://www.amazon.com/dp/188939257X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-Y73zbDSXM4HN

    Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year https://www.amazon.com/dp/1889392510/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VZ73zbNRBPBGG
  • DS never took to a crib (mostly because we were pretty against CIO) so he’s still cosleeping with us at 3.5. 

    For the twins, I put a couple mini cribs on my registry. I haven’t chosen what they’ll sleep in when they’re itty bitty yet. Debating between the rock n play or a pack n play with the twin bassinet attachment on top. 


    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Actually I just found this and I’m kinda loving it. 

    Baby Trend Twin Nursery Center, Circle Tech https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZFK54W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AN83zbSMC9NCN


    Pregnancy Ticker
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