Your views on Pack N Plays - Page 2

[HonkyTonka]

thanks all for the responses!

I think we're going to go ahead with the Arm's Reach and one of those IKEA cribs. Once we get through the really tough nighttime phase we'll move her/him to the crib and bring the Arm's Reach (in play yard format) downstairs. I'll be happy to have a place for baby out of dog tongue/paw reach.

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by thyra

What makes everyone say they are unsafe for baby's who can roll over/stand up? My son sleeps in one every night (I'm poor and can't afford/don't have room for a big crib and can't co-sleep) and we've had no problems with it even though he's been walking for 4months now.

With the bassinet insert (which is like 18" deep), it would not be safe once the baby is able to pull up. Of course, it is perfectly safe without the insert.

[MangoMommy]

A packnplay is a must for us as well. We have 2. DD (7 mo) sleeps in the one in our room for naps and with us at bedtime. The one downstairs doesn't get much use now that she's too big for the changer/bassinet but it is a good place to stick her if I essentially need her somewhere right then and there. (like my older child got hurt and I needed to tend to her immediately I could put baby in packnplay if for some reason my house wasn't baby safe at that exact moment). We also bring our camping as well.

My major complaint is I can't seem to put a sheet (pack/play sized) on it without it causing the cardboard to shift.

[Ammaarah]

Originally Posted by thyra

What makes everyone say they are unsafe for baby's who can roll over/stand up? My son sleeps in one every night (I'm poor and can't afford/don't have room for a big crib and can't co-sleep) and we've had no problems with it even though he's been walking for 4months now.

I'd worry about a top-heavy baby in the bassinette leaning over the edge and falling out on his or her head. But if you're not using the bassinette anymore, I think P&Ps are totally fine and safe.

[Ruthie's momma]

Originally Posted by HonkyTonka

thanks all for the responses!

I think we're going to go ahead with the Arm's Reach and one of those IKEA cribs. Once we get through the really tough nighttime phase we'll move her/him to the crib and bring the Arm's Reach (in play yard format) downstairs. I'll be happy to have a place for baby out of dog tongue/paw reach.

Before I got to your post, I was going to suggest you select just one item (crib, pack n' play, or co sleeper). Baby gear can easily get to be very expensive. And, with a relatively short life span, the gear is just another use of too scarce resources/something that will end up in a landfill. Plus, you simply don't need to have all three items on hand.

A crib can be either placed in your room and/or you can side car it beside your bed. A pack n' play can serve as a sleeping space and play space. And, a co sleeper can be used as a sleeping area (I think that some can be used as play areas, too).

Choose what feature is most important to you based upon your expected needs. For us, a place for baby to nap and/or sleep at night (nearby) was the most important. So, we purchased a convertible crib. In retrospect, it wasn't even really needed. For our next LO, we may use a king sized bed and pass our full sized bed on to DD (and donate/sell the crib). DD napped on me (or in the car) for her first 12 + months. After that, she napped in her crib, on our bed, or in the car. At night, she slept in our bed or in her crib beside our bed. At around 2.5 we converted her crib to a toddler bed (she is in her own room now, too). We received a pack n' play as a gift. I donated it soon after.... We also have two clumsy dogs and stairs and our LO did just fine (w/o a pack n' play).