I got a PNP with a "napper" attachment and DD slept in the napper for the first 12-13 weeks until we moved her to the crib. I liked it bc we were going to get a PNP anyway, so it didn't require an extra item that we'd only use for a short time.
This was our original plan until I read the manual for the PnP (Graco). It said the napper was only to be used while an adult was attending to the baby for short durations, as the thick material could be a suffocation risk. They advised against using the napper for night sleeping, or when someone wasn't going to be in the room watching the kid.
At which point I went...."wtf is the point of this thing?" and just used the bassinet part. We also got a (snug fit) PnP mattress; it's what DS2 slept in until about 7 months.
In my experience, the feature of the Pack n Play that allows the mattress to be higher (is this what they call "bassinet"?), isn't that great, because it's flimsy and kinda rocks back and forth unintentionally. I don't think it would be a good long term sleep solution, and probably has a weight limit. The napper thing that clips on is more useful if you're going to set the Pack n Play up in your living room and use it as a changing station, than as an actual napper. We used our Pack n Play for Grandma's house and travel only.
I don't have a Rock n Play but wouldn't be comfortable with it for overnight sleep because it's not flat.
We used a Simmons Gliding Bassinet. I liked the more old fashioned look and that it was a flat surface. It also has wheels and was easy to move from our bedroom at night to our living room during the day. It vibrates and has a mobile, both of which my daughter loved. It does have slightly padded walls and a skirt, but it also had ventilation holes, so I was comfortable with this (she was not mobile at this point). Though, you personally may want a bassinet with only mesh sides (added perk to that, you can see through it). DD slept in this in our room for 3-4 months and that's what I plan for this baby.
We got both the foam mattress and the coiled springs mattresses for the Pack n Play for DS (long story). The one with the actual coiled springs is significantly better and worth the extra $10 or so, IMHO.
I find it so interesting that some people said the bassinet swayed on them. We never had that issue (or if we did, I don't remember it being an issue). Wonder what would account for such a different experience?
We used a mini pack n play in the bassinet setting, and it did sway a little, like maybe an inch of give. I liked that though because dh could shove the mattress a little from our bed and it would jiggle dd and help her go back to sleep. Might be a design flaw, but I liked it, and when she was up in that setting she wasn't mobile enough that it ever would have swayed from her independent movements or that the tiny gap would potentially be a suffocation risk or anything.
How long would a kid be comfortable sleeping in a mini/travel pack n play? We often go up north to our cabin nearly every weekend and we think taking the PnP down every weekend will become a pain since this is the baby's permanent bed (until it can crawl out). We saw the mini/travel ones at BRU and thought it might be a good idea to just keep it up there. Would it still be ok for summer 2018 when they are 1?? I like to think ahead haha
I like that it has a slightly smaller footprint than the other PNPs we looked at and it seems like it would travel well and be useful for awhile. Anyone use this before and have thoughts?
We got both the foam mattress and the coiled springs mattresses for the Pack n Play for DS (long story). The one with the actual coiled springs is significantly better and worth the extra $10 or so, IMHO.
I find it so interesting that some people said the bassinet swayed on them. We never had that issue (or if we did, I don't remember it being an issue). Wonder what would account for such a different experience?
@alm52386 That's the one we used from birth to 3 months. Dd was in the 90th percentile for height and she likes to sleep stretched out so that was the end for us. But maybe if your baby is not super tall or likes to sleep curled up. @MrsW524
@alm52386 We used the mini until we moved into a house so dd cound move out of our room, which was 9 months. It was tight, but it worked. She is on the small side though, so I'm not sure your want to count on more than six months.
FTM here - We can fit a crib in our master bedroom and planned to do that for several months. Is a crib not a good sleeping option for a newborn?
I put babies #2 and 3 in their cribs at 2wks. I would have put them in there from day 1 but we had guests staying in that room. I have a queen size bed in the nursery and I sleep in there with the baby for the first 8-12wks and I will do the same with #4.
TTC#1 for 19 months with PCOS and MFI IUI#3 + injectables = BFP!!!! Beta#1-134(13dpiui) Beta #2-392(15dpiui) #1 born December 2011
TTC#2 - Beta #1 -51@10dpo Beta#2 -1353 @16dpo #2 born May 2013
TTC # 3 June 2014 BFP 12-1-14
#3 born August 2015 #4!!!!!!! due June 2017
How long would a kid be comfortable sleeping in a mini/travel pack n play? We often go up north to our cabin nearly every weekend and we think taking the PnP down every weekend will become a pain since this is the baby's permanent bed (until it can crawl out). We saw the mini/travel ones at BRU and thought it might be a good idea to just keep it up there. Would it still be ok for summer 2018 when they are 1?? I like to think ahead haha
If you plan on using it long term I would get a normal sized one. Have you looked for any children's consignment stores in your area? I got a pack and play at once upon a child to keep at my parents when my DD was born. It was cheaper than the travel one and she was able to use it longer.
So appreciative for this thread, as a FTM! I was thinking of an arms reach cosleeper, but just looked up the halo and am impressed. Several posters have mentioned the flat back sleeping issue for babies with reflux. For those of you who used a halo, was this a problem? Is the halo only flat, or can it be angled at all? Also, does anyone know the difference (except $50 cost) between the Halo Essentia series and the Halo Premiere Series? I can't tell what additional features the Premiere has. Thanks! One last question - seems Halo goes up to 20# or 5 months - did those of you who used it move to a crib at that point?
We used a PnP (just the plain one, no newborn napper/changing station) for 2-3 months as my son's main sleeping area for naps and bedtime. I know previous posters have expressed dislike of the moving bassinet part, but that was one of the reasons why we LOVED it! My son was very colicky for 4.5 months and I would nearly fall asleep constantly while watching him sleep in our swing. Eventually, I would rock the upper bassinet portion back and forth to help him nod off after a looooooooong burping session and felt like I could finally get some rest!
I have seen dead babies after being suffocated during sleep at work and was/am paranoid about approved sleep surfaces for the infant period. So, RnP (we never had one of these) or sleeping in the swing wasn't for us unless one of us was fully awake and watching. The PnP bassinet was an acceptable compromise to allow both me and my son to get some rest.
I have seen dead babies after being suffocated during sleep at work and was/am paranoid about approved sleep surfaces for the infant period. So, RnP (we never had one of these) or sleeping in the swing wasn't for us unless one of us was fully awake and watching. The PnP bassinet was an acceptable compromise to allow both me and my son to get some rest.
By "approved sleep surfaces" do you mean flat surfaces like that which a bassinet, PNP, or crib would provide?
***BFP & Child Warning***
Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014 IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17 FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
I have seen dead babies after being suffocated during sleep at work and was/am paranoid about approved sleep surfaces for the infant period. So, RnP (we never had one of these) or sleeping in the swing wasn't for us unless one of us was fully awake and watching. The PnP bassinet was an acceptable compromise to allow both me and my son to get some rest.
By "approved sleep surfaces" do you mean flat surfaces like that which a bassinet, PNP, or crib would provide?
Yes. Flat, firm surface is one thing...also, no bumpers, loose blankets or any stuffed animals. You have to read up about some of the bassinets (ex: some stroller bassinets are approved for overnight sleep, like the Uppababy, but others aren't) and other sleep-related items.
In general, the honest truth is that these tragic events don't happen even to those who use RnP, swings or other "unsafe" items for sleep (or even bed share, for that matter)...but it would destroy me if something were to happen to my kid that was completely preventable. But let's be honest...was I perfect about sleep the first time around? No...in my most fatigued haze, did I also doze off while my son was strapped into his swing, rocking peacefully? Sure, a few times. Did I thank my lucky stars that nothing dreadful happened? Absolutely. We all have things that we're more cautious about or is more on our radars...and safe sleep guidelines is just one of mine...in some part because of the experiences that have shaped part of my career.
Only main downside to all of the flat, safe sleep surfaces is for super refluxy babies, who really need to be on a good upright incline after feeds. I often advise parents of these babies to give them a good 15-20 min burping session, followed by a period of being upright in a safe place (often, the most logical place is in the infant carrier/car seat because it provides ~30 degrees of incline). I did this a lot too with my son for his colic, even though he wasn't the worst refluxer, nor did he ever have such bad issues that he needed to be put on any medications.
Reading this thread has certainly made me aware that there's only so much preparation you can do, but your baby's needs may go entirely against what you planned for. We bought a pretty traditional oval shaped bassinet for the first few months (not the expensive halo). My plan is to use the bassinet right next to my bed for easy access in the middle of the night, but I guess you never know if your baby will have issues and can't sleep on a flat surface. I guess we cross that bridge when we get there.
My mom told me that my sister and I slept in an antique cradle that was a family heirloom when we were newborns. I wish I didn't live across the country from her so she could easily give it to me because she still has it!
***BFP & Child Warning***
Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014 IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17 FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
@wifeinraleigh28, the good news is you have a pretty good chance of the bassinet working just fine, and if for some reason it doesn't, you can get a rock n play on amazon prime for like $50. That was always my back up plan, and I never needed to use it.
Re: Bassinets?
At which point I went...."wtf is the point of this thing?" and just used the bassinet part. We also got a (snug fit) PnP mattress; it's what DS2 slept in until about 7 months.
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
I don't have a Rock n Play but wouldn't be comfortable with it for overnight sleep because it's not flat.
We used a Simmons Gliding Bassinet. I liked the more old fashioned look and that it was a flat surface. It also has wheels and was easy to move from our bedroom at night to our living room during the day. It vibrates and has a mobile, both of which my daughter loved. It does have slightly padded walls and a skirt, but it also had ventilation holes, so I was comfortable with this (she was not mobile at this point). Though, you personally may want a bassinet with only mesh sides (added perk to that, you can see through it). DD slept in this in our room for 3-4 months and that's what I plan for this baby.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004Y9AKZI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484260253&sr=8-2&keywords=graco+pack+n+play
We got both the foam mattress and the coiled springs mattresses for the Pack n Play for DS (long story). The one with the actual coiled springs is significantly better and worth the extra $10 or so, IMHO.
I find it so interesting that some people said the bassinet swayed on them. We never had that issue (or if we did, I don't remember it being an issue). Wonder what would account for such a different experience?
I like that it has a slightly smaller footprint than the other PNPs we looked at and it seems like it would travel well and be useful for awhile. Anyone use this before and have thoughts?
That's the one we used from birth to 3 months. Dd was in the 90th percentile for height and she likes to sleep stretched out so that was the end for us. But maybe if your baby is not super tall or likes to sleep curled up.
@MrsW524
Edited for words
TTC#1 for 19 months with PCOS and MFI IUI#3 + injectables = BFP!!!! Beta#1-134(13dpiui) Beta #2-392(15dpiui)
#1 born December 2011
TTC#2 - Beta #1 -51@10dpo Beta#2 -1353 @16dpo
#2 born May 2013
TTC # 3 June 2014 BFP 12-1-14
#3 born August 2015
#4!!!!!!! due June 2017
Due June 25 2017
Edited: to add one last question!
BFP: 9/30/16, EDD: 6/9/17
I have seen dead babies after being suffocated during sleep at work and was/am paranoid about approved sleep surfaces for the infant period. So, RnP (we never had one of these) or sleeping in the swing wasn't for us unless one of us was fully awake and watching. The PnP bassinet was an acceptable compromise to allow both me and my son to get some rest.
Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20
In general, the honest truth is that these tragic events don't happen even to those who use RnP, swings or other "unsafe" items for sleep (or even bed share, for that matter)...but it would destroy me if something were to happen to my kid that was completely preventable. But let's be honest...was I perfect about sleep the first time around? No...in my most fatigued haze, did I also doze off while my son was strapped into his swing, rocking peacefully? Sure, a few times. Did I thank my lucky stars that nothing dreadful happened? Absolutely. We all have things that we're more cautious about or is more on our radars...and safe sleep guidelines is just one of mine...in some part because of the experiences that have shaped part of my career.
My mom told me that my sister and I slept in an antique cradle that was a family heirloom when we were newborns. I wish I didn't live across the country from her so she could easily give it to me because she still has it!
Me: 34, DH: 38 ~ TTC since 2014
IUI #1-3 (Nov 2015, Feb 2016, May 2016) = BFNs
IVF ER (July 2016) = 7 PGS normal embryos
FET #1 (Sept 2016) = BFP! DD born 5/30/17
FET #2 (April 2019) = BFN
FET #3 (July 2019) = BFP! DS born 3/27/20