The fabric sides and mattress cover zip off and are machine-washable. Cradles are a classic, compact sleeping space for newborns. But increased awareness of SIDS prevention has made experts and parents wary of cradles’ rocking motion, which may cause or help infants to roll over on their side or stomach. Also, keep in mind that your newborn may come to rely on the graco jogging stroller rocking feature and have a hard time transitioning to a crib when he outgrows the cradle. Some of today’s cradles are glider-style or offer “head-to-toe” rocking rather than side-to-side — but a stationary sleep environment is still safest for baby. When setting up the pack n play, make sure you assemble it properly and that the sides are locked in correctly.
Two removable toys are included which help with motor skills. When it’s time to go, the 31.4” x 5.4” x 22” playpen folds flat and only weighs 13.5 pounds. Clean up time is easy as the pad is wipeable and graco travel system the sheet machine washable. If your baby is able to hold their head up but not yet able to climb out of this dome, the Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome is one of the best mini pack n plays you can buy.
That’s why we wanted to do a Pack ‘n Play review — to help you choose the right one for your family. Despite its weight, by far and away, the PNP is the most useful baby item we have bought to date (and no, Graco doesn’t pay me to say this stuff). Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer, mom to a 1 and a 4-year-old, and she has personal experience in researching, setting up, tearing down, and using Pack ‘N Plays. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include ease of use, function, quality, and customer reviews. “Ideal for on-the-go families, the lightweight crib easily collapses down into a compact backpack so you can stay hands-free.”
When your little one needs a place to nap or play right away, there’s no more convenient solution than our Pack n’ Play Playard. This baby play yard has a durable frame that makes it perfectly suited for travel. The signature Graco push-button fold allows you to break it down in seconds and the automatically folding feet and wheels make it amazingly compact when folded. At home or away, your young one will have sweet dreams and comfy surroundings.
This Graco earned a relatively high score for the sleeping surface. This score is the highest sleep surface result for any product under $100 in this review. The broader width of the Graco also means a baby could turn sideways and end up with their mouth against fabric instead of the mesh. The Pack ‘n Play would have a higher breathability score if the bassinet were all mesh. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Baby Bargains is your independent and unbiased source for expert reviews of products for families and the home. We’ve been writing and reviewing gear for parents since 1994.
If it’s bells and whistles you’re after, we’d recommend the Chicco Lullaby Lilla. At 41 pounds, the Lullaby Lilla outweighs many other play yards, but also has a boatload of features. This baby play yard is designed to be functional for children from infancy all the way through the toddler stage.
If you need to replace your Pack ‘n Play mattress, contact the manufacturer. Any sort of DIY “hack” that you may come up with to make a Pack ‘n Play more comfortable has either failed safety testing or has not been tested. Devastatingly, in several cases, these “tricks” have even led to death. To reiterate, stop using the playard based upon whichever milestone your child reaches FIRST. This mini Pack ‘n Play‘s “Stage 2” can accommodate a baby up to 20 lbs. The simplest way to tell if your baby can safely sleep in a playpen is to take a look at your user manual, which is a legal document.
Find answers to frequently asked questions for Fisher-Price and Mattel products. Self help options include product instructions, technical product support, recall/advisory information, Power Wheels service and replacement parts. These Luvable Friends Fitted Pack ‘n Play Fitted Sheets will keep your little one’s playard soft and cozy. Made of super soft 100% knitted cotton with fully elasticized bottoms for a secure fit.
This upgraded version ($159) is your classic play yard with an optional removable seat and … a flat changing surface. You can’t go wrong with this model; it’s a long-time fave. The seat sits on top of the PNP — or you can remove it and use it wherever you want, like a bouncer. It cups the baby on all sides; it’s like putting an egg into a carton, and it’s perfect for the first couple of months. Toddlers need a little more space to play, which is why this playard with more than 10 square feet of space is great for them. It has a flat mattress that’s great for play and sleep, comes with a bedsheet, has mesh siding for ventilation, and is equipped with padding that covers all of the metal and interlocking parts.