Should I bother with a PnP?

meg211

So I know there's a lot of stuff out there, and we don't really NEED most of it.  I'm on the fence about a PnP.  We live in a small single story house, and the nursery is right across the hall from our bedroom.  I've been going back and forth between putting LO straight in the crib, or possibly using a PnP bassinet in our bedroom for the first couple of weeks. 

But outside of that possible short time use (which may end up being nothing if LO goes straight to crib), what else would I use a PnP for?  We are a plane flight away from family, so we wouldn't lug it to see grandparents often.  I do have a large golden retriever...do I use a PnP as a clean safe place to let baby hang out in where my dog can't lick them?  Do you use it in the yard once they become a little mobile so they aren't crawling away?  Or is it not safe to use it as a playpen?   I feel like I'm caging up  my baby this way.

superned

meg211:

I do have a large golden retriever...do I use a PnP as a clean safe place to let baby hang out in where my dog can't lick them?  Do you use it in the yard once they become a little mobile so they aren't crawling away?  Or is it not safe to use it as a playpen?   I feel like I'm caging up  my baby this way.

I use mine for both of these reasons.

I also don't have an exersaucer/bouncer/walker whatever, so I use the PNP when I need to take a shower or work from home.  It is sort of "caging" her, but to me it's better than sticking her in one of those devices that really restricts her movement.  She can roll back and forth and sit up, plus I can put toys and books in there with her (different ones, so she's not just looking at the same activities every time).

I hardly got any baby gear at all (crib, one stroller, bouncer, high chair...that's about it), but I couldn't live without my PNP.

PunkyBooster

Didn't have one. The only way I would have gotten one is if all of the bedrooms were upstairs.

I have a pit bull, she comes to the bathroom with me if DS is on the floor playing. She also knows, "enough" for when she licks DS. I taught her this during pregnancy with peanut butter on my hand. She'd do 2 or 3 licks, "enough" then reward with a separate treat. Now she licks him 1 or 2 times, is told "enough"and walks right away. 

calgal1683

We couldn't have lived without ours. Although we live in a two story house so once he is out of our room we will move it downstairs. We also travel to my sister and MIL's place that is about 2 hours away, so we just pack it in the car.

jencastorri

Im pregnant with baby #3 and so far none of my kids have used a real crib. We used a PnP until they out grewit, then they got toddler beds. We have never lived in a house though and are currently in a dorm, so space has always been an issue for us as far as living goes. However, Ive taken a PnP to the beach, to athletic events and any where else you can think of. I do have the Graco Sport kind thats round, has a canopy and is about half the weight of a standard PnP. You can find them on Ebay now a days. Im all for portable everything! If you want it to stay at home, it can stay and be useful, but if you need to take it somewhere, you can do that too. I say you should try to find the Graco sport Pnp.

goodgalpal

If I were you I would get the FP rock and play sleeper instead. It is cheaper, smaller, and foldable. Gets great reviews from parents too.

naflmj

I couldn't have lived w/out one but DS also slept in our room for 9 months (and his room is across the hall. We also had one downstairs for naps/changing for the first few months (that one is now at my IL's). We travel a lot for the weekend so we get plenty of use out of it. I never used it as a playpen but it's certainly not a bad thing to use it for.

nycdueinmay

I live in NYC, so I have a very small space, though LO will have her own room. We are still getting a PnP. We are abiding by the SIDS prevention guidelines outlined by the APA which includes sleeping in our room for six months. We will also use it as a safe place for her to play when she is older while I get things done (dishes, showering, cleaning... anything)

We live in a small space and I still consider it a necessity.

krissymac

I'm not getting one. Our nursery is right across the hall from our room and baby will go straight to the crib. My in-laws have a PnP already and said we could borrow it if we ever needed it.