Pack N Play?

Question

I have a question. I'm 6 months pregnant and my husband and I currently live in a small 1 bedroom apartment. We plan to buy our first house together hopefully before our son's first birthday. So we have thought about just buying a pack n play and having him sleep in the bassinet until about 3 mo and then moving him to the bottom part until we move into a house where he'll have a crib.

I know that a pack n play is for sleeping and stuff but I was wondering if there are any safety issues to using it as his full time bed until about 12mo?

Could having him that low to the floor all night have any risk of SIDS? I dont know why it just sounds like it could to me. Or because it's not airflow like the bars in a crib? I'm going to end up being one of those very paranoid parents with a newborn so I'm trying to asure myself that it will be ok. We really have no room at all for a crib right now.

I know I probably sound paranoid and silly but I just want what is going to be best for my son

Answer 1

My younger sister slept in a playpen until she was 18mos., and that was in the mid-80's. They are way safer now than they were then. Go for it! I wanted to do the same, but my MOL insited on buying us a crib, so I wasn't one to complain... Whenever we go camping (yes, in a tent, even when my son was 5 mo), Curty sleeps in one. Whenever he visits Gramma, he sleeps in one. It's perfectly fine. And if or when your little one learns how to climb overboard, it's not as far to fall... Being low to the floor is not a SIDS risk. Confined air is, since carbon dioxide sinks. Then again, most ppl put bumpers in their baby cribs to keep baby's head from getting bruised, and in a pack n play you won't need one. So, kudos for the pack n play!!!

Answer 2

I think that you SHOULD use a bassinet, like was said they can be used until one year old and are MUCH smaller. They also have cradles and other such things that would be WAY more comfortable than a pack and play. Since you CAN NOT use too many blankets, how are you going to make it more comfortable for baby? I think that I would use a bassinet, and I did for the 1 st one, my other 2 had/have a crib, they used the same one. It really DOES save space and like it was said, pack-n-plays are MUCH WIDER and only shorter than a crib, so go with a comfortable bassinet, you'll be glad that you did! Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 3

Actually qw long as you put him in the bassinet part until he out grows that then he won't be so close to the floor. That being said, using a pack n play is fine. Just make sure there aren't any toys or objects in there that could harm him. They even make sheets for them pack n plays so you can wash the slobber, spit up and sweat out! I've used a pack n play for two out of my four kids - the last two. Gave up on the cribs lol.

One more thing, most have mesh sides to allow airflow! Which I think is better no risk of arms or legs getting stuck between the bars of cribs! Yes that's happened to my kids.

Answer 4

When I had my second son we had to do the same thing and other than having to bend way over to put a sleeping baby down it wasn't too bad! I think the netting was way easier for me to deal with than the slats in the crib with my first son...yeah I was paranoid too! I also loved that when he could pull himself up I didn't have to worry about him climbing out like with the crib. But I've never heard of any risk of sids due to sleeping close to the floor so rest easy. He'll probably wind up on your bed anyways...lol

Answer 5

My brother is in the same boat, their son is 8 months old, been in a pack n play the whole time, the only down side is, it sucks laying them down cause you have to bend way over!! Our son stayed in one for a few weeks. If you think about it, a regular bassinet, (which we used the rocking kind till son was 6 months old) doesn't have the bars like a crib!!
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

The main concern with SIDS is that the baby sleep on it's back on a firm surface. My daughter slept in one when she will 6 weeks old for a little while. Just follow the same guidelines you would to prevent SIDS in a crib. Lye baby on it's back, don't use stuffed animals/pillows. Don't smoke around baby, breastfeed etc. Pack and go playpens are perfectly firm. God Bless and Congratulations on your little one.

Nice name by the way!! We named our baby girl Gabrielle :)

Answer 7

i used a pack n play bassinet until my baby was 3months, but she didn't sleep very well in the "bottom part" so we moved her to a crib.have you thought about portable cribs or mini cribs ? some of these fold up giving you more space,when not in use..

Answer 8

I used one for overnights at my parents as they didn't have a room for a crib...Its perfectly safe. It has mesh for breathing...only down side is you have to bend over to put them down. There is no bigger risk for SIDS because he is in a pack n play...SIDS is usually caused by a health issue

Answer 9

My daughter is 19 months She still sleeps in bed with me. She won't sleep any where else. I was a super paranoid mom. I felt much better having here there next to me. I still do.

Answer 10

ok both my kids slept in a play-pen and there were no issues but if its just for a year you may want to consider a bassanet. They are much smaller and quite beautiful they are useable for up to 12m so that would be perfect for your time span and easy your nerves towards sids as well as like I said take up less space. ps playpens are bigger than cribs oh and CONGRADULATIONS