Crib or Play Yard (pack-n-play)

[Caralea]

Well I am pretty much decided on getting a cute 3 in 1 play yard for my newborn to sleep in for her only bed. She would have the bassinet part as a newborn and as she gets older the play pen part of it. The one I want has great reviews. There is also a diaper changing station attached to it, a mobile and music/light box.

I have had several people trying to talk me out of this idea and think I need to buy her a $500 crib for night time, "cause she'll never sleep sound in a play pen".  My thoughts are to make a softer pad for over the top of the one that normall comes with it.. by pad I mean a 1" foam mattress with a cover, just like a normal bed. Plus I have waterproof pads to use and keep the play yard clean to last longer.

What are you thoughts? Vote and give me some opinions. Thanks ladies!!

[jmomof3]

I'm expecting on Dec.8,2010 and my husband and I bought a pack and play with bassinet three months ago for our new little one.  It just seems way more cost effective. This is our 5th and I really feel once our child out grows the play pen she'll likely be ready for a bed with a rail. Why spend the extra money?

Cribs are prettier for the nursery thou...

[smjmekg]

I say crib and pack n play, it's what I had for my son, and will have for this baby too. The crib I used almost from the time he was born, but I also had the pack n play, because it was portable and made traveling with him/having him with a baby sitter SO much easier. I could just bring the pack n play, it sets up fast, I didn't use the bassinet part, I just put him all the way down on the bottom...I think I spent $150 on the pack n play, and about the same on the crib. It was well worth the money I've spent...I've used them both so much.

[Caralea]

Also I had my son in a play pen only when we had moved and had no where for the crib. That was around 1+yrs old. During nap times he also had a soft fold out couch that he would have in there with him to sleep on. He loved it and never climbed out. Then at 18mos old when we moved, the crib and play yard completely got left behind and he moved into a toddler car bed. Still arent having any sleeping issues.

[happynifer]

i debated this as well. i went with a cosleeper and a crib.  we'll cosleep for the first 3-4 months and then transition her to the crib.
the crib was easier to make cat proof since it is sturdier :)

[Caralea]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and ideas.. I have considered it many times over.

MarLea will be in our room for the first month or longer and then move to share a room with her big sister. We're hoping not to inconvience big sister during her normal sleeping time or MarLea if big sister Sydney decides to wake up early (like usual) and play or mess with her... this is my first time adding a sibbling and trying to put them in the same room.

We have the space for a crib, but dont find it necesary to buy both... Guess we will see as the time gets closer and the baby showers are over.

[ars1961]

i have a crib and changing table and pack in play also so it just depends on how much room u have pack in play will be my co-sleeper next to my bed for the next few weeks after baby is born then she will go in her crib

[Elixis]

I know lots of people that did the graco play yard for the first 3-4 months.
I am doing that too. I might be given a crib so i'll have the crib, but the first month the baby is with you a lot and some people even have the baby in the bed with them for the first few weeks.

I am limited with space so I too am getting the play yard. I will have a baby sleeper for in the bed one that you cant roll over onto the baby, and have the playpen beside me with the change table since our room is so small. My DH is in the army and I will be alone for most of the nights so to me a crib in the other room is not convenient at all.

You don't want it to be a long term thing, as the baby has to get used to being in it's crib. So after 3 months or so I will transition to the crib full time. But at first the crib is not necessary and many people use bassinets.

That play yard is awesome and i'm definitely going that route too.

[WifeofAnt]

We got a pack n play with bassinet too.  My mom and I had a daycare for 3 years and never had a kid climb out before he/she was ready for a regular bed with side-rail.  And if they do climb out they don't have as far to fall.  No bars to get trapped between, no need to worry about bumpers moving out of place, and its so portable.  When I have to vacuum underneath I can move the whole thing with one hand (wheels on one side, legs on the other).

[lori0615]

I got a pack and play with a bassinet, it was used I'm thinking of getting a new one one of the thin ones, since my room is so small, but with my son he slept in a play pen more than a bed, he liked it better.
One of my friends did this and at 1 yr she got her daughter a toddler bed when she could climb out of the play pen.

[kele1129]

We did bassinet and then crib. I like the look of a crib over a pack and play personally. That and we had our crib given to us so free always wins out for me! lol.

[connorethansmom]

I have a friend that used the pack n play for her second.  She just had her third.  Said it works ok, until they can climb over, which she said her little one could do around 1.5 years as the flexible sides allowed for easier climbing.  We used a bassinet, then a co-sleeper, then a crib for each of ours. Will most likely do the same thing again.  Mostly because of breastfeeding and that's what we did the other two times. I think there will be great benefits to keeping the baby in ONE place though.  

[Waitingforgoodnews]

We got cribs for the twins.  I have to say, we did get these more portable type things for moving them around the house as needed, but after the newborn stage, we are planning for them to be in their room, in their crib(s).

I can tell you that our surrogate told me that she never had a crib with any of her kids and always had them in a pack n play...so I am sure you will be just fine with whatever you prefer!!!