Which do you prefere - Crib or Play Pen?

Question

Just asking out of curiousity. For SLEEPING would you rather put your child in a crib or a play pen? And why?

I myself have never used a crib. At first it was because we couldn't afford to buy one. Someone bought us a pack-n-play. We used this as a bassinet. (By the way, a pack-n-play is a WONDERFUL bassinet. They have plenty of room to move around. And you can safely use it for longer than a regular bassinet.) We had intended on buying a crib when he got too big for the bassinet, but once the time came we just decided to use the bottom of the play pen. I know, a lot of people say it is unsafe. BUT my son is eight months old, and he has been sleeping in a play pen for a few months now. Nothing has EVER happened to make me worry. Honestly, I prefer the play pen to a crib any day. I was just wondering what other people's opinions were...?

Yeah, with a play pen you do have quite a lack of support where the mattress is concerned. Also, being close to the floor does make it colder. I fixed both of those problems by covering to bottom of the play pen with about 10 or so blankets. They provide a makeshift mattress and warmth. With that you do have ot be careful, though. Too many blackets can be a hazard. So, this is a personal choice. You know your child best. My son is wonderful with blankets and pillows, so I'm not worried about that. (No, he doesn't have a pillow. But he does sleep in my bed quite a bit. When he does he is always by my pillow. He moves around a lot, so it's hard to keep him away from it.)

I'm a bad parent, huh? LOL Well, guess what... Not only does my son have plenty of blankets in his bed, he has stuffed animals, too! Oh no! I guess I should care... But I don't!!!! My son is perfectly happy and sleeps wonderfully. And if you treat your children as if they're fragile they'll grow up to be.

Do you really do everything someone RECOMMENDS!? My son has been using a blanket since his birth. And he's had a stuffed animal since he was three months old. I'm not ashamed of the way I've raised him. He's just fine. And I don't care if people disagree with my parenting choices. I did not post this as a question of my choices. Everyone IS entitled to their own opinion, however.

Answer 1

i've used both, and i think the pack and play with the bassinet was the best thing EVER! It had the bassinet plus the changing table all on top of the playpen itself, and it was portable. Was soooooo easy to take down and set back up. I used a couple thick blankets....baby blankets...for extra padding because they aren't very thick. But i still loved it much more than the crib. They also can't figure out how to fall out of a playpen. (never happened with my kids, i'm just saying...) I definitely prefer the playpen.

Answer 2

Pack and Plays were not meant to be used as a permanent crib, though I can understand the initial financial issue and why you might continue to use it for that reason. However, cribs meet certain safety standards for constant use, and they provide other advantages as well. Now that your precious son is eight months old I think you said, he has several things working against the pack and play. First, if he isn't already, he will begin standing up. That said, he could easily disengage the pack and play and cause it to crumble down upon him. Secondly, with all those blankets you have, he could wind up asphixiated.

Finally, seeing some of your "added" comments, I would tell you that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend any soft objects in your baby's crib at this time. Stuffed animals, many blankets, etc. are all known to increase the chances of your child dying of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). They should be on a firm sleep surface (mattress covered by a sheet). There should be a reduced number of blankets, loose bedding, and soft objects. There should be no stuffed animals, toys, pillows, bumper pads, etc. If you can dress your child in warm clothing and use no blankets at all this is ideal. Of course babies shouldn't sleep w/parents, but a near proximity is great.

You are not a bad mother at all, and I am sure you love your son every bit as much as the rest of us love our children. It would probably be better to use a crib, but in the end, I guess the playpen meets safety standards too. Just not as safe for your son because of his being older now.

For more information to support this assertion, I suggest you go to the following sites:

http://www.sids.org/nprevent.htm

http://sids-network.org/risk.htm

http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/cribtips.htm

Wishing you many many years of joy and blessings with your son!

Answer 3

I used a crib from day one so the baby would be used to it instead of changing from a bassinet to a crib as they out grew the bassinet. The "un safe" comment about a playpen would have to depend on what kind of playpen you have. If it is unsafe for him to sleep in it is probably unsafe for him to play in. I would also concider where you live. With winter approaching a crib would have the baby up higher from the floor. Since heat rises the extra couple of feet higher make a difference temperature wise. Also, depending on your child and on the playpen he may be able to climb out of the playpen before he would be able to climb out of a crib. If he is sleeping good and the playpen is safe use what you have.

Answer 4

My three month old still sleeps in the bassinet of the pack and play. Both of my other children did, too, until they were about five months old. Then they moved to the crib. I like being able to roll over and breastfeed in the middle of the night without having to walk to the baby's room.

Answer 5

I wasn't going to buy a crib, but I got a free one. The only thing about play pens is that the matress isn't made for constant sleeping and is not good for the baby's back. The matress is importnatn for the spine.

Cribs are unnessary other then the matress, but they are nice for that age where they are standing and if they have a tantrum to sleep with mommy or for a bottle to sleep with, they crib is safer with all that jumping. I personally also put my kids in beds aroudn 1 year.. so the crib is necessary really for only a few months where they are stong

Answer 6

I prefer a crib, simply because a paly pen is for kids up to 25 lbs and a crib can hold 50+. My son was real big real fast and he outgrew a playpen by the time he was 18 months old, not old enough for a toddler bed. We usually co-sleep, but there were nights when he would sleep on his own.

Answer 7

I have used both and like a playpen for visiting, camping and when I have to do outdoor work. The crib was easier for me to use when they were sick. I let them choose which they wanted to sleep in when they got old enough to get around. My son liked the playpen while two liked the crib and three didn't care where they slept. Yes that's six-5girls and 1 boy

Answer 8

I personally prefer the crib as it's not so close to the floor. Where we are the floor area can get chilly. As for safety, I can't see why being in a playpen will be unsafe. You are the mother and mother's always know best. People always will have opinions on what you are doing wrong...you know what's best!

Answer 9

I prefered the crib for my younger son but not until he got older (like 6 months) before that he was in a bassinet next to my bed or in my bed since I breast-fed. We did have a pack n play but for some reason he wouldn't fall asleep in there. i say go with whatever gets your kid to sleep through the night. My older son only liked to sleep in his car seat so we used that for a while. I felt kind of terrible leaving him in there but it was the only way he'd sleep through the night. kept me sane. If your boy likes the pack n play stick with it until he's outgrown it.

Answer 10

You're blessed to have a baby who SLEEPS! Don't change your routine.

In response to the answers criticizing the mattress quality... I went shopping for a twin mattress for a 3 y/o, and learned that young children are too light to have the problems adults have with cheap mattresses. Don't worry about the pack n play pad- he'll do fine.