Does the Pack n Play need a mattress?

Question

I'm at first time mom and am thinking about getting the Graco Pack n Play for my newborn due in August. I was just wondering if any of you guys who had one and used it bought a mattress to put on top of the bassinet part?
I saw that Amazon had a few mattresses that fit the pack and play, but I wasnt sure if it was really necessary or not. I was thinking of just doing a sheet on top, but I want to do what is safest. 
Thanks! 😊

Accepted Answer

Don’t buy an extra mattress. It’s not safe. Babies can suffocate. It comes with a little pad that works just fine and is what newborns and babies are meant to use.

Answer

No no no. Not safe to add any other mattress. Babies need the firm one anyways.

Answer

I have the grace pack n play and didn't get a mattress. What comes with it is basically as soft as I would want the mattress anyway. Just by a play pen sheet and your set!

Answer

We personally didnt get a mattress. I think you have to be careful with them as it can create a gap for baby to get stuck in 🤷‍♀️I might be wrong though.

Answer

I used one of these for both of my boys without an extra mattress.  It’s a really great thing and it grows with them.  It was nice and shallow for the early days, then still a great nap place as they got bigger☺️

Answer

Just a sheet on top is the way to go! My daughter sleeps in the top part of hers nightly. She is 6 months and seems very comfy. I do suggest waterproof sheets :)

Answer

It’s best to use what comes with the pack and play. I have a Graco one too! I just went to the store and bought a “quilted fitted sheet” that Graco mades specifically for their pack and play mats that adds just a hint of extra cushion but really not much more. I basically just use it so that I have something to protect the pad and that is washable.

Answer

I ddnt even know u cld get an extra mattress 🤷‍♀️ had a graco one with my almost four year old and will b using her old one for my baby due in a week. It’s fine without the mattress I nvr had a problem

Answer

I’m getting one for my daughter when she’s 1 yr babies don’t need a soft surface to sleep on. Bassinet mattresses are literally like half an inch thick. The ones that comes with this pack n play is thicker than my bassinet mattress.

Answer

I didn’t with my first baby (didn’t know they made them). But he didn’t sleep well in the pack n play because when he would move it moves some and would startle him so we moved him to his crib in his nursery. Had my second baby 18 months after the first and we didn’t buy another crib just used the pack n play again in our room. Got a mattress this time. The mattress is just as firm as a crib mattress and it fits very snug down in the pack n play and it is maybe 2inches deep. 
I am very big on making sure the babies are safe and do what the pediatrician recommends. Sleeping on back. Nothing in with them when sleeping.
I was surprised reading the comments about how a mattress isn’t safe in the pack n play. A mattress is safe in a crib so I don’t see a difference. It is just as firm as the one in the actual crib just smaller so it fits in the pack n play.

Does the Pack n Play need a mattress?

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