Opinions/Advise on long term PnP use

Stasi · January 2015

So, my question is this: did anyone have their S12 baby, or any other child in a PnP for an extended amount of time? Like 3 or 4 months?

Ryan needs to move out of our room so we can get some sleep...and we don't want to transition Kate out of her crib yet. We would borrow a crib from friends or famly, but everyone is using their's at the moment. DH suggested just having Ryan use the PnP until he's sleeping better through the night, then work on Kate's transition to her big girl bed and move the crib into Ryan's room.

Is the mattress good enough for that? Thoughts?

Added: Ryan is currently in a bedside co-sleeper, is anyone is wondering.

tyrannasaurusjess · January 2015

We had Briar in a pnp for about 4 months, for the same reason. Jasper was quite content in a crib, and we didn't want to buy another because we knew he'd be out of it sooner or later. She did fine (well, I suppose that's debatable because she actually sleeps like shit). The only problem that we had was she was/is an incessant drooler, to the point that the mattress was often soaked in the morning. We even put fleece blankets and such underneath her, but it still was often soaked. Over time, it started to warp our mattress a bit, so it kind of bowed down in the middle. I should clarify that we only used the mattress pad thingy that came with the pnp-- we didn't buy another to put over top. I didn't even know that was a thing (MOTY) until I started looking up what people did to prevent/fix our problem.

watercolor5 · January 2015

You can buy a real mattress to go in a PnP, if that's a concern- certainly would be cheaper than a second crib. Most look like they're around 3 inches thick, so not as big as a regular mattress, but better than the foam pad that comes with it. Something like these:

pack n play mattress amazon

Not sure if they're approved safety-wise, but I'd feel comfortable with one.

kelbel527 · January 2015

Brody slept in a PNP for over 4 months. I never put a special mattress in it. Now, that was 0-4 months, so he was swaddled and not moving around at all at that point. Since Ryan is already 3 months, if you're thinking of keeping him in there for the next few months, I'd probably invest in the mattress for the PNP, but I think that would be more than enough.

And honestly, the mattress just makes me think that LO would be more comfortable, but he's probably be just fine in the PNP as-is as well.

Stasi · January 2015

I had no idea that they made "real" mattresses for Pack n PLays...that's our answer

This is why I love you guys!!

MrsKipper · January 2015

Nola was in the PnP for 5 months and Camden for 3 months. We didn't use it but I was going to suggest the thicker mattress.

starrysmile18 · January 2015

I had no idea they made real mattresses for PnP's either! Carter was in one for 4 months on just the normal mat that was in there, but now w/ baby #2 coming along, I just bought the other mattress and protector w/ sheet! Awesome. Thanks for the info.

AKB090609 · January 2015

DD2 just moved out of a PNP at 5.5 months she does seem to sleep much better in her crib, but it is hard to know if that is due to her being in her own room or on a real mattress.

KKSBeans · January 2015

Mattresses aren't really necessary because it's better for them to be on a firm surface anyway.

I may get flamed for this, but my s12er had been in one the majority of her life, except when she was in a bassinet. I'll explain why it worked well for us, but might as well put my flame suit on. She had always been not a very good sleeper. Every time we tried a crib transition, it was a nightmare. Not to mention, her room is for some reason an ice box, no matter what we do. She is still well within the limits of her pack n play and actually sleeps well in it.

We are on the market for a new house soon and when we moved she will be transitioned to her toddler bed. Where her room will, hopefully, not be arctic lol

eshee8198 · January 2015

Penny slept in a PnP for 10.5 months, in the bassinet top (not the little attachment) sidecarred to our bed, with the real mattress. The mattress was pretty firm, fwiw.

MommaP12 · January 2015

Didn't read all the responses but we bought a real mattress for it and DD slept in it as her "crib" for a good 6 months when we were still in our condo as we didn't have a room for her. I think she was in the RnP for her first four months then the PnP the next 6.

Just be careful with the mattress size when you order and be sure it's PnP sized and not mini crib sized as they are different.

Holly_1007 · January 2015

Didn't read the reaponses. Colby was in the PNP until about 5 months. I ended up setting his crib up in our room at that point. I have a friend who doesn't own a crib. All her kids are in PNP's until they are two and transition to beds. She is on her 3rd kid who will be two soon. Her kids are normal....ish... Haha

Eastie156 · January 2015

I think that's a great plan @Stasi‌ . You can buy thicker pnp mattresses, SIL had one, so they do exist. It might've been a real crib mattress, but I don't remember.

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