Pack N Play suggestions

jencnh · June 2013

I'm looking for a pack n play for my daughter whose expecting a baby. She would like to set it up in her living room and use it for diaper changes and for naps, so she is wanting the changer on it. With family out of state she will also occasionally pack it up in the car and bring it for some over night visits so easy to fold and not too heavy is important. According to the Baby Bargains Book, Graco is the best brand to go with.
*She does not want the napper on it. There are safety concerns with it and the soft bedding it contains so she will pass and just use the bassinet on it.

My questions....

For the ones that come with the changers, some of the changers don't look too sturdy. For those who have had these, are they sturdy and did you use them, or is it a waste of money?

Which ones do you recommend and not recommend from experience?

FmrAFBrat · June 2013

I actually have 2 pack n plays. I have a Carter's one with the changer and bassinet feature and this Delta one:

https://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_usurl=2Fproduct2Findex.jsp3FproductId3D10870821domain=http3A2F2Fwww.toysrus.com

I'm using them both right now for my boys since they are both under 2, however I had to get a second one when my older DS tipped the Carter's one over at six months. FWIW due to weight limit considerations we only used the bassinet feature for a few months. My rec would be to get the square Delta one or the Graco Tot Block and invest in a good portable changing station. That set up will last you a lot longer. My mom has the Tot Block at her house and both it and the Delta are equally nice and easy to use.

sep08 · June 2013

I had a Graco PnP with a changing table which we had set up in the living room for the same reason, but we only used the changing table for a little while (maybe a month?) before it was too much of a pain. It was slightly sloped and as my son got bigger he would slide down it. We just got into the habit of taking him upstairs to his bedroom to change him. I personally wouldn't pay more for the changing feature, I think the regular PnP with bassinet is sufficient.

pb_bride · June 2013

We have a Graco PnP with newborn mapper and changing station. Yes, the changing station is quite flimsy. there is no way one can use it up to the weight limit it suggests. It slopes terribly and it becomes rather unsafe as I worry DS Rolling off it. My DH eventually place a piece of board underneath the changer as support so we were able to use it until DS was 3 months.

as for the napper being ' unsafe', I think as long as the naps are supervised, it's fine to use it. We had ours set up in our living room for the first 3 months, so DS only napped in the napper during the day when I am around.

Creedon778 · July 2013

I have a Graco and a Chicco PnP. They both came with nappers/changing areas, but I never used them. I always just used the bassinet area for naps/overnight sleeps (DS slept in a Chicco PnP in our room for 3 months). I never really used the bassinet area for changing him, but if you have a waterproof changing pad liner (I like the kushies brand), I would just put that down on that in the bassinet area and change LO that way.

FWIW, I liked the Chicco Playard XL best for DS to sleep in for 3 months in our room because it was very sturdy, but I found the Graco MUCH easier for breaking down/putting back up/traveling with for trips.

SunAndRain · July 2013

Look at the Aprica. I have this and it is brilliant. The bassinet feature is safe, sturdy and comfortable. My daughter slept in it for the first two months of her life while she slept in our room. And I suppose you could use it as a changer, too, by putting a mat down. I never wanted a changer, however. Something bulky to store and travel with wasnt' for me. Also, the Aprica is super easy to break down and set up; the bassinet can even stay attached and simply folds in to the frame. Which is not so with changers that have all those features like changers, etc on them. Now that DD is nearly a year, she uses it as a playpen. We just keep some toys in there and she is good to go while we are getting dressed in the morning.

There is a video that shows how easy it is to open/close:

https://www.toysrus.com/buy/babies-r-us-exclusives/play-yards/aprica-haven-openair-play-yard-twilite-1801668-12092993

Happy shopping and congratulations!

kellyrn9956 · July 2013

I have used the changing table maybe a handful of times. But man that napper was a godsend when he was tiny. We have the Graco and love it.

mrs1916 · July 2013

I had Graco with changer. I found it v convenient first three months or so, but then felt DD was too big for it. At first I didn't think I would use the feature but it was so handy the first few months. Would def recommend!

Want a personalized experience?

Pack N Play suggestions

Re: Pack N Play suggestions

Choose Another Board

Search Boards