Post # 1
Member
787 posts
Busy bee
So my aunt gave DH and I her son’s pack n’ play for our November baby. The model is about three years old and didn’t come with a manuel, though I’ve done a little digging online and read about it. I’d say it looks pretty similar to this model, sans mobile: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61UhzZwpQjL._SY355_.jpg.
Anyway, we intend to use it as a bassinet for the first three-ish months and then move baby to a real crib (the packaging does say that it functions as a bassinet set at that height). My question is, if you did this, did you buy one of those add-on pack n’ play mattresses (http://www.amazon.com/Dream-On-MeFoam-Graco-Mattress/dp/B006Z2BZBU) to make it extra comfy for baby? Or are those only for long-term use as a crib (like up to a year old)? Did you put a fitted crib sheet on it to make it softer? I haven’t seen any pictures with an add-on mattress or fitted crib sheet, it’s just that the current mattress doesn’t look remarkable or anything. Thoughts?
Post # 2
Member
9541 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
i was under the impression that bassinet mattresses were meant to be firm rather than soft so that baby doesn’t sink down into them. So I’d just go with a sheet. I don’t think babies really care about having a “comfy” mattress.
ETA: Oh, and you’ll want a pack n play sheet, not a crib sheet.
Post # 3
Member
9878 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
They sell sheets specifically for the pack n play. I personally wouldn’t use the additional mattress—I’ve heard varying things about safety.
Post # 4
Member
2449 posts
Buzzing bee
JenGirl: Westwood: they’re the same thing as a crib mattress just sized to fit, so they aren’t squishy, still plenty firm from what I know of them.
Do you have any more information on safety? I was planning to get one, but would love to hear if there is a reason to reconsider!
Post # 5
Member
9541 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
HeyJude72: Generally the additional mattresses are thicker than the mattress that comes with the pack n play. I think the potential safety concern is that most pack n plays have soft sides that have some give to them (as opposed to a solid crib). So it’s possible for baby to roll to the side and then get wedged between side and mattress. Honestly, it’s probably not a big risk and I don’t think I’d consider it dangerous to use an additional matress. But I also don’t think it’s really necessary. Both matresses are required to be very firm, so I’m not sure baby would really tell a huge difference. I have several friends who have had their babies sleep on regular pack n play mattresses without any issues.
Post # 6
Member
4413 posts
Honey bee
Ditto everyone else — infants are supposed to sleep on a firm surface, so the PnP “mattress” itself is just fine. My daughter slept on one for the first six months of her life without complaint. In fact, one time we were staying at my parents’ house and my dad set up the pack n play with the mattress upside down … so it was literally just a hard sheet of plastic that DD slept on. She slept all night long without issue.
As for the safety thing, it’s fairly well documented that one way to help prevent SIDS is to always put babies to sleep on their backs on a firm surface. Here’s just one resource backing that up, and there are plenty more out there: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/sleep-naps-12/sids-prevention
Post # 7
Member
11735 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
We used only what came with it. The quilted sheets are a little softer than the normal ones, so we use those.
Post # 8
Member
312 posts
Helper bee
My son rolled himself over in his swaddle his first night home (seriously) so I put him in the smaller section on top until he grew out of it. Then, he slept in the larger bottom section until he was 6 months old (I was scared of moving him into his room because he was rolling himself over and sleeping on his stomach…and still waking up in the night to BF. We did not buy an additional mattress.
Post # 9
Member
3376 posts
Sugar bee
I’m pretty sure you actually can’t use the extra mattress on the bassinet setting. We’re using just the regular pnp mattress that came with it (on the bassinet setting) and it’s fine.
Post # 10
Member
787 posts
Busy bee
Thanks, ladies. I think we’re going to go with the pack n’ play bassinet sans mattress, but with the p n’ p designed crib sheet for the first three months, and then switch to a crib. I also want a rocker or swing chair for daytime napping/sitting.
I was talking to my coworker today who seemed appalled that we intended to have our baby sleep in the pack n’ play bassinet for the first three months. He said we’ll “definitely want to get a different bassinet”. When I asked why, he said “none of his kids would ever sleep in a pack n’ play bassinet. They aren’t stable at all and the mattress is bad.” I was pretty offended by that because seriously, who asked for his two cents.
Long story short, will the p n’ p bassinet, a crib and a rocker suffice? Am I missing something from the sleepytime department?
Post # 11
Member
4192 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: July 2012 - Baltimore Museum of Industry
We used the bassinet for four months until we transitioned DD to her crib. You can also buy a padded mattress cover to use in the bassinet if you feel it needs more cushion. We eventually bought a PNP mattress once we removed the bassinet, for use at mom’s house.
Post # 12
Member
2449 posts
Buzzing bee
anonybee0810: we plan to use a pack and play instead of a a getting a crib at all! We will use the Bassinet first and then probably see how it goes with the baby sleeping in the main part and add a mattress when they’re a little older. My BFF’s two kids slept only in them (she actually got rid of the crib when #1 wouldnt sleep in it!) and she had to buy a new one when #2 was born because her 2yo DD was still sleeping in Hers!