Pack n play instead of crib

[Mom2Connor]

The bottom is very hard and would be uncomfortable to sleep on IMHO. Of course if it's all the child knows they will get used to it. I doubt you would see things like back and neck problems until at least early adulthood, and ig would be hard to trace the issues back to a PnP. So I wouldn't go so far as to say that a 7 yr old is fine So that means it's ok YK?

[jen_batten]

Babe will be fine and grandmother will probably still be annoying. We had a crib for the first three, but it got recalled after that so number four will use a pnp.

[melilo]

It would be detrimental to MY back to put a baby in a crib, at least when you have to lower the mattress. I'm short.

PnP is fine, and I do plan on using one, but I will be purchasing a mattress for it. The bottom is only cardboard.

[Christylkeller]

I have used a crib with my 1st 3 babies, but with this one, once he has grown out of the cradle my FIL built, will be using a PnP. I LOVE the versatility and that you can also buy a thicker, more supportive mattress to go in it. Don't worry about MIL... she will likely not approve of plenty more in your child raising years. My MIL doesn't say much, but my MOTHER has plenty to say... just let it roll off your back and keep doing what is working for your family!

[l_Kimmie_l]

I loved my PNP for my kiddos. DS2 slept in his when he was not cosleeping. It was all he would sleep in. He hated his crib. DS3 used to sleep in it as a bassinet. He loved it.

[Mommyto2B2G]

I don't think it's bad. I'm going to use a PnP with a PnP mattress added in for baby as a bassinet. I found decently prices PnP sized mattresses on amazon. They look and feel like crib mattresses yet they are fit to PnP probably so babies can sleep in them. . Maybe show her those?

[canadianbakers]

Originally Posted by Mom2Connor The bottom is very hard and would be uncomfortable to sleep on IMHO. Of course if it's all the child knows they will get used to it. I doubt you would see things like back and neck problems until at least early adulthood, and ig would be hard to trace the issues back to a PnP. So I wouldn't go so far as to say that a 7 yr old is fine So that means it's ok YK?

FWIW, babies in orphanages (especially in China, that I've seen) sleep in cribs on a piece of plywood - no mattress, and no blankets either. I would say the PNP mattress would be more comfy than that!

[Mom2Connor]

Oh I totally agree that there is FAR worse than sleeping in a PnP. But if someone has the ability to buy a real mattress (for a PnP or otherwise) I think that is a far better idea. We have a VERY nice PnP and I would never expect a baby to sleep comfortably in it. There are real mini cribs with nice mattresses for when space is an issue.

[OatmealKisses]

Originally Posted by Mom2Connor Oh I totally agree that there is FAR worse than sleeping in a PnP. But if someone has the ability to buy a real mattress (for a PnP or otherwise) I think that is a far better idea. We have a VERY nice PnP and I would never expect a baby to sleep comfortably in it. There are real mini cribs with nice mattresses for when space is an issue.

I don't know what the difference is if the PnP has a mattress in it. The *only* difference is space, and babies are not big.

[BigSamsMom]

Originally Posted by junvwekt Great idea!! The only really "bad" thing people say about the Pack n Plays is that the bottom isn't very soft/supportive. Why don't more people think of this!? ((I'm trying to keep my "baby accessories" to a minimum because I don't have room in a 1/br apartment for much... Babies R Us sure tries to sell a lot of "stuff" to first time moms. Lol.))

Thanks, glad you liked my idea. You live and learn, and of course I don't down any FTM for "getting it all" with their first child. It's just at some point when your first child is around 15 months, you start thinking, I didn't need all this cr@p and it's taking over my house! Other useless items that I found we never really needed: The Bumbo, the walker, baby bath towels/washcloths (use your own bath towels), burp cloths (use Gerber birdseye flats instead, you will find they are the most versatile pieces of cloth on the planet!), wipes warmers, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers (microwave sterilizer bags and/or your own stock pot takes up less space), baby mittens, portable changing pads/pee pee tee pees (use the Gerber flats instead), two infant car seats for each car (just buy two bases), travel systems (they are always too bulky/heavy)... I could go on an on, HA HA!