Comfy in the Pack N Play

Updated on June 01, 2010
E.L. asks from Lyons, IL
12 answers

We're planning a trip in July with our 1 year old. I plan to have her bunk in her pack n play however she doesn't sleep well in it, she doesn't mind it to just sit in or play (which I do rarely because I don't really want her to get the idea it's only for playing) I don't blame her really, there's only about a 1/2 inch of padding! Looking for suggestions to help get her more comfy but I get "SIDS freaked" even though she's passed her 1st birthday. I thought about maybe a travel pillow since it's smaller....I'm worried because we'll be traveling with another (childless) couple, it will be for a week and a happy baby will make everyone much happier! Help!!!

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D.R.

answers from Chicago on

You can buy padded sheets for the bottom. This is what I did for my daughter. Also, you can try to put either two of the padded sheets on or place a soft cushy blanket under the sheet. This gives a really nice amount of padding. My daughter slept peacefully - she was about 9 months old. Good luck!

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B.S.

answers from Chicago on

I always take a comfy blanket with some nice padding (assuming its bout similar size to the mattress) and lay it directly on the mattress with the sheet over it. makes it feel cushier....Dont know how much $$$ ure looking to spend but I bought my son (for home) a foam mattress that fit his crib mattress but maybe you can buy a foam sheet of some sort and cut in to size. enjoy!

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

How about having her sleep with you? She'll sleep great.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Be sure to bring anything in her crib from home (pillow, blanket, sleep sack, stuffed animal) so that 1) you create a familiar environment to her even though you're in a different place and 2) she can associate the pack 'n play with sleep and not only play. This makes a big difference. Don't know what your sleeping arrangements will be, but we have found hotel rooms to be very difficult, in general, in getting our kids to nap and go to bed for the night because we are still in the room. It's always much better when we stay in a condo and it's more like putting them to bed at home, where we can leave the room and close the door. Best of luck!

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

You could buy one of those mattress toppers, cut it to fit, and then put a pack n play sheet over it. It should make it more comfy with cushioning. When my older ones were little, I bought upholstery foam from Hanover Fabrics and put it under the pad to give a little comfort from the legs and post underneath the pack n play.

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

You can fold another blanket and put in for her sleep on. Just don't pick one that will be thick, but just enough to be more comfortable for her with out her sinking into the blanket.

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D.Y.

answers from Chicago on

We folded a large blanket and placed a sheet over it. My grandson was able to sleep in it while we traveled.

R.P.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter doesn't have trouble with how firm the padding is, but she does like to use her "boppy" pillow because it props her up somewhat. (Her boppy pillow is actually Walmart's George brand and so it is much flatter than a Boppy brand pillow.) But like Alison said, the pack n play is not her crib and so she just won't sleep as good as she would at home. Good luck, hope you have a good trip.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

What about folding a quilt/blanket or using a mattress topper but put it UNDER the pack & play pad? Extra cush! Also, I think a small flattish pillow would be OK. I'm sure at 1, she can lift and turn her head side to side, right? Have fun!

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

Yeah we use the padded sheets made for the pack & play pads. They work great.

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A.K.

answers from Atlanta on

Graco makes quilted Pack N Play sheets that give a little extra padding. I used to use the quilted sheet and add another blanket on top of that and tuck the ends up under the pack n play mattress so it was nice and snug. My daughter still didn't sleep very well in it though. I guess it's because it just felt different from her crib. It's kind of like when you have to sleep in a hotel bed or something. It's never as comfy as your own bed :)

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

we just got back from a vacation and my daughter had to sleep in her PNP for the 1st time. She's slept in it on occasion while we visit people, but never overnight. This was our first overnight trip since she was 8weeks old. I had just put a fitted sheet on it and we had an awful 1st night....she didn't fall asleep til midnight. After that first night though, she slept from 8p-6a the last 2 nights we were there. I did end up putting a folded fleece blanket in the crib that first night and she seemed to sleep better with it the rest of the weekend. I would advise bringing a lovey from home and a blanket to help comfort her with the smells of home.

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