Pack N Play for dummies?

Question

I feel 🤦🏼‍♀️ even asking this, but there are so many pack n play options that I want us to be able to choose what’s best. And I’d rather ask y’all than ask people I know and them look at me like I’m dumb 😂
But I keep looking at pack n plays and I’m just clueless on function?
This one for example...
Is the left intended to be used as the bassinet? I thought you wanted a firm, flat surface for baby? And then on the right, that is purely for changing correct?
Do people use the middle pad insert (below the changer and sleeper) as an option for sleeping as well? Is it safe?
We’re only really looking to use this outside of the crib during the newborn stage so we aren’t going from room to room a million times a night, so I don’t need something that will replace the crib forever. But I want something for the first month or so (and of course the multiple uses will be great after that) and need to feel confident using it. If you guys recommend a certain model or style please let me know and why!

Answer

I had the same questions don’t worry! I have this exact one for our downstairs. To prevent SIDS they recommend the bassinet to be flat so that they don’t asphyxiate. I realized this after I bought it and had it for a few months so I’m just using this one for downstairs as a place for him to nap (short periods of time and under supervision). I just ordered another one for our bedroom since he won’t be in the nursery right away, however it’s much flatter with a change table so it’s easier to use in the night. I will see if I can find a picture of the one I just ordered.

Answer

We got The Anywhere Dreamer playyard. It has a flat surface baby can sleep in but is blocked off from the underside of the changer. I love it!

Answer

I'm not sure if the thing on the left is a bassinet or a rocker. Most bassinets are flat, so I would think it's a rocker but I dont know why there is a canopy. I have always used a pack n play instead of a crib. I like the infant insert (the part between the main play area and the changing station) until baby starts to sit up by themselves. It's so easy to have the pnp next to my bed for night feedings or changings. It's also a lot easier when you travel or go to a friends house and plan to be there past bedtime/naptime. Baby will already be used to the the pnp and will sleep fine, instead of having trouble sleeping bc they're in a new place. I had that issue with my first when we went out of town for a weekend. It was the first and only time I had trouble with her sleeping. I used it until 18 months and put my LO into a regular twin bed.

Answer

I have this one . Looks similar to the one you posted . It’s a bassinet , changing table on the right and then I can remove them for the pack n play .  Under are shelves to put baby stuff in . This one is called graco pack n play newborn napper dlx.

Answer

Ours only has the bassinet and we used that for sleeping for the first month or so and I would change her diaper on the larger surface below. That was awesome because we kept her in our room and I didn’t have to walk across the house to the nursery to change her when I was up for feedings every two hours. She grew out the bassinet pretty fast but slept just fine on the surface below until she was about 6 or 7 months when we started putting her in her crib in the nursery.

Pack N Play for dummies?

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