You need to know many different things about baby products when buying for your baby’s room. One of these is whether or not your child should sleep in a pack n play. There are some arguments for and against this option. Generally, pack ‘n plays are safe for babies to sleep in, given you follow specific steps to make them safer for your baby.
What is a Pack ‘n Play?
It is a versatile piece of equipment that can be used as a playard, a bassinet, portable crib, diaper changing station, or play area. Playards are lightweight, easy to set up, and the perfect way to ensure your baby has a comfortable and safe place to play and sleep at home or while traveling to grandma’s house.
Can babies sleep in a Play Yard?
Some say play yards are safe, while others think they might not be the best idea. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants should sleep in their parents’ room until six months old or at least the first few weeks.
They also recommend against using a playard as a baby’s “only sleeping space” rather than as a place for them to nap during the day.
Are pack n plays safe for sleeping?
Pack n plays are considered safe by AAP for babies to sleep in as long as an adult monitors them.
Room sharing with newborns until they are 12-24 months old is an excellent way to ensure your baby’s life is secure.
After that, you can move them to the nursery and continue to check on them throughout the night using some baby gear like a baby monitor.
If you use a playpen for daytime napping, make sure that it is in a safe location and that you are following all of the safety precautions, some of which I share ahead.
Can a Newborn Sleep in a Pack n Play?
Yes, as long as you monitor at regular intervals and have followed all the precautionary measures like removing toys, tightening up the mattress strap, removing other unnecessary things from inside the newborn napper.
Keep them in your room until they are 8-12 months old.
Can babies sleep in pack n play napper?
Yes, as long as you can keep an eye on them and they are in a safe place. Ensure there are no crib bumpers, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or anything that can suffocate the baby. Remove all toys from inside the newborn napper to avoid injuries.
What age can baby sleep in a Pack n Play?
For a safe sleep and following all the safety standards, you can use a playpen for baby napping from the time they are born up to 18-24 months old.
When can babies sleep in a pack and play?
When you notice your child is feeling tired and about to sleep, remove everything excess from inside the playard to keep your baby safe before taking a nap.
Using pack and plays is easy and safe as long as they are used correctly. It’s essential to follow all safety precautions, including ensuring there is no excess fabric and all parts are securely fastened together. You should also remove toys from the playpen to reduce the risk of SIDS.
How to determine if a Pack N Play is safe for infant sleep?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and consumer product safety guidelines by the product safety commission, the safety of a playpen is determined by the type of mattress and the materials used in construction.
The extra mattresses should be firm and fit snugly into the bottom of the pack n play. The surface should be made from a breathable material such as cotton or wool with no raised seams or tags.
In general, you want to avoid using any pack n plays that have been recalled by the manufacturer because they may pose a risk to your child’s health. Check product safety commission for more on this.
Playpen Cabin Size
The size of the playpen should be comfortable for the baby to stay safe and move around without nearing the edges to avoid entrapment.
New parents should get a full-size crib designed for infants and newborns and has a good cabin size with a bassinet feature.
Weight Limit
Generally, the weight limit is 30 pounds with a good floor strength offered by good brands like Graco Pack’ N Play, but you should check the specifications before buying the one that suits your family’s needs.
Sidewall Height & Strength
When it comes to buying a pack and play, you’ll quickly learn that there are many different styles to choose from. Some have thinner sidewalls, while others are made with thicker sidewalls that are better for babies that like to climb out of their cribs.
The other key factor is strength: some models have more joints where the pieces connect, leading to quick failure.
Ensuring the pack n play is safe for sleep
Pack’ n Plays, while they can be used safely with a baby, can pose significant suffocation risks if not set up correctly and used with care.
Safety precautions of using a pack and play for sleeping
Pack’ n plays are popular with parents who travel, live in small spaces, or have infants who need a portable bed. The safety precautions are to ensure there is no excess fabric and all parts of the pack ‘n play, including the mattress and sheets, are securely fastened to the sleep surface.
Don’t leave the mesh sides down
Leaving the mesh side of a pack ‘n play down while your baby is in it, playing or napping, is not safe. Babies can get their hands and feet stuck in the mesh, leading to suffocation. The mesh material on the pack ‘n play also risks skin irritation for babies who may be sleeping on the surface.
Leave nothing to grab in the pack n play
Make sure to remove any toys or loose stuff before putting your baby to sleep in a playard. Toys and other loose bedding may increase the risk of SIDS, lead to choking hazards and cause kids mental distress.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIDS is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than one-year-old.
SIDS is the leading cause of death in babies from 1 month to 1 year old. Although the cause of SIDS is unknown, some risk factors can increase a baby’s chance of dying from it, including:
- Sleeping on the stomach or side
- Sleeping in a bed with another person
- Using soft bedding, like a comforter, bumper pads, or sheepskin that can lead to a suffocation hazard
- Putting the baby to sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or a chair
Giving the baby a pacifier can reduce the risk of SIDS, but it’s essential to take it out before the baby is ready to stop using it.
Pack ‘n plays can be a safe place for your baby to sleep as long as they are used correctly. It’s essential to follow all safety precautions, including ensuring there is no excess fabric and all parts are securely fastened together. You should also remove toys from the pack n play to reduce the risk of SIDS. Your baby can safely sleep in a pack ‘n play with these precautions in mind.
Helping your baby to sleep in a pack n play
Start with making the pack n play safe for your baby and ensure that no small parts can cause choking hazards.
You should also make sure that the mattress does not have any tears or holes in it.
Try putting your baby on their back when putting them down to sleep.
Last is getting your baby into a sleep routine that will help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. It would be best to put them down when they are drowsy but still awake, so they don’t associate falling asleep with being put down in their crib only.
Teach them to sleep away for early child development
Newborns already have a natural ability to adapt to new environments, especially when they are introduced to them early. Now that they are being introduced to sleeping in different places, it will be easier for them to make this transition into adult life.
Introducing the baby to sleeping away from you early on is an important milestone that helps them thrive.
Have an active day before sleeping in a playard (or play yard)
We all know how fun it is to play with your newborn. Spend an active day with your child to tire them.
Play yards too can be used to tire them as they are an excellent way for your baby to have an active day before falling asleep.
Mimic the original environment when putting them to sleep
Pack n play is a portable crib. They are designed for travel and can also be used for infants to sleep in when they visit their grandparents.
Mimic the original environment how they sleep with you when putting them to sleep in pack n play. It is crucial to create a comfortable sleeping environment for your baby or child. You want them to feel safe and secure while they are sleeping. It will help them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, making everyone happy!
Keep it dark when building their sleep routine
Keeping your baby in the dark when building their sleep routine is essential. This way, they will learn how to fall asleep independently and not rely on you for sleep. Create a calming nighttime sleep environment by turning off all lights and noise, and put your baby in the crib or bed with no toy or pacifier and let them cry it out until they fall asleep.
How Long Can Babies Sleep In Pack n play?
Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends not to let your baby sleep in a pack and play bassinet for more than 2 hours.
Newborns sleep, generally speaking, about ninety minutes per cycle and wake up 10-15 minutes during the night. They typically nap for six hours at night. It is vital to allow infants to rest during the day when they are tired to learn how to fall asleep on their own.
How Long Can Baby Sleep in Pack n Play Bassinet?
Babies can sleep in a pack n play bassinet attachment for up to two years. It is the recommended age at which you should stop using it. Two main reasons why you shouldn’t use this product after your child reaches this age:
- Children over 24 months old outgrow their need to be snugged in tight spaces
- They have developed enough manual dexterity to crawl and move around while still being safe on their backs, sides, or knees.
When To Stop Using Pack n Play?
When your child is 18-24 months or can climb out of the playard on their own, it’s time to stop using it for baby sleep.
Instead of keeping them confined in one place for long periods, let them get some exercise by going around the play yard outside during feeding times instead. You’ll both benefit from this change!
Which pack n play with attachments is safe for infant sleeping?
If you are looking for a safe pack n play attachment for your young child, you should undoubtedly check the Graco Pack N Play Playard. It is the safest and most popular pack n play attached bassinet that you can find in the market.
It is designed with your baby’s safety in mind and has several features that make it an excellent choice for parents. It has an easy-to-remove bassinet that can be used as an infant sleeper or a changing station with its storage compartment. You can also use this as a regular pack n play without any attachments when you want to bring it along on trips.
Parents Also Ask
What else can I use a Pack N Play for?
It can be used in various ways and make your life a lot easier. It’s perfect for use during independent play times, for corralling your little ones, and can also be used for nap time or for sleeping at night when you’re on the go. They can be used as portable cribs as well as diaper changing stations.
Can a newborn sleep in a playard without the bassinet?
Not recommended, but it is possible. A bassinet is designed to keep the baby’s head elevated while the newborn sleeps, which helps with their breathing.
Should I add a mattress to the playpen?
It’s not a bad idea to add a firm mattress to the portable crib. The play yard mattress will provide comfort for the baby, and it can be removed if you need it later.
Should I add extra bedding?
It’s a good idea to add extra bedding to the pack n play, mainly if your baby has been sleeping in it. You can use either washable crib sheets or waterproof mattress pads.
