pack n play safe sleep?

[crossbearer007]

I'm wondering if a pack n play (with nothing else in it besides what it comes with) is considered safe sleep? My 11lb preemie just started rolling so (I didn't realize this) we need to transition her out of her bassinet. I don't feel ready for her to sleep in her own room and our house is small, so I think the best option would be the pack n play in our room, away from the bed so nothing falls into it. Everything I've read says that it's safe as long as you don't add blankets, pillows, etc to it. I was curious if anyone else heard otherwise? Thank you!

 

[sarahsknight]

@crossbearer007 In the US, a PNP (called a playard in the manual) is a safe sleep space. They can’t legally be sold here as a “playard” unless they’ve been designed to conform to safe sleep standards and passed all the sleep safety tests. This shows the table of contents for all the requirements, just to give you an idea of what all goes into designing them and testing them for sleep safety. https://www.astm.org/f0406-19.html

Not all countries have safety standards or tests for PNPs or playards to be sold as safe sleep spaces, so if you live in another country, the ones sold on your market may not have been designed or tested for sleep. You’ll need to check with your country’s health authority and/or consumer product safety authority to find out.

But, all the ones sold on the US market are, so long as the manual calls it a playard. You can also check for the ASTM standard - might be on the label, or you can email the manufacturer to ask. HTH

 

[musili]

@crossbearer007 They are safe, but a step that gets overlooked is attaching the pad to the bottom of the pack n play. There are buttons and velcro to secure it.

 

[alexhunting]

@crossbearer007 So I looked into this in depth a few weeks ago. Depends where you are (which boggles me) but USA - seems like yes pack n play are considered safe sleep. Canada however changed their criteria or something a few years ago so now they are not unless the companies resubmit for certain approvals etc and sounds like some companies are saying F it and not bothering submitting it. So my friend (I'm in Canada) had a safe sleep pack n play bought three years ago and now it's apparently not safe. So...yeah.
The two I found in Canada that are considered safe is the Phil+Ted travel cot and the silver cross travel crib.

Hope that helps.

Edit to add: you're also only supposed to use the mattress it came with. And a fitted sheet.

 

[jalopy]

@alexhunting Canada is so ahead in child safety compared to America. I frequently see products sold in the USA that are banned in Canada and consider it the gold standard.

 

[ihadavision]

@jalopy Yeah, this has me nervous about using a pack n play as a bassinet/crib. I'm wondering if it's because people swap out the mattress?

 

[jalopy]

@ihadavision I looked at the ones the other redditor mentioned, it looks like the guava lotus. I wonder if it’s the way the shape is constructed and the mattress sits on the floor instead being elevated in the pack n play? And it’s all mesh versus being any hints of fabric on the sides.

Silver Cross

Phil & Ted

About pack n’ plays:
In Canada, pack and plays are not intended for unsupervised baby sleep. Here's what the Health Canada website has to say on the matter: “Playpens are not intended to be used for unsupervised sleep because they do not meet the same safety requirements and are not as durable as cribs.” When you are using your playpen, keep the sides securely locked in place. Never leave your baby in a playpen with any side down. A baby can roll into the space between the mattress and the mesh side and suffocate. Check that the mattress pad is firm. Mattress pads that are worn down in any area could create a suffocation hazard. Large toys or stuffed toys that can be used to climb out of the playpen should not be placed in a playpen with your baby. Check for tears in vinyl rail coverings, mesh panels or the mattress pad of the playpen. Your baby could bite off small pieces and choke.

 

[jalopy]

@ihadavision The Canadian recommendations was regarding the pack n play, sorry if that’s confusing I’ll edit to point that out. Guava lotus looks like the more recommended option

 

[ihadavision]

@jalopy That's a relief, then! We're planning to use it instead of a crib, and we're currently using the bassinet. I will say that the rocking legs on the bassinet instantly allowed our newborn to roll over and seem very unsafe for that reason, but they're optional and it seems fine otherwise.

 

[jalopy]

@ihadavision That’s awesome! We’re going to get one to travel once they’re too big for the bassinet. They’re in a standard crib right now. We had a rocking stand for the Moses basket and I think it was small enough so only the newborn curl was happening. I’d imagine if the rocking motion allowed a kumquat to flip over prematurely that’d be concerning.

 

[ihadavision]

@jalopy It was super concerning, and I realized the only way it wouldn't happen is if she's dead center and completely motionless lol. That being said, the non-bassinet version is nice and you can crawl in there with them because it's on the floor and has that side door.

 

[dmm]

@alexhunting Yeah we have a pnp and it specifically says it's not to be used for sleeping as is. But it has a hanging bassinet insert that can be used until they are of a certain age/weight/mobility.

 

[kanpachi]

@crossbearer007 Travel costs/ pack n plays should be made to safe sleep standards however never add any extra mattresses as this is how kids have died in them. (suffocation and entrapment)

Keep them clear of extra padding etc and set them up per their manufacturer recommendations and you shouldn't have any issues if you buy one that was made to safe sleep standards in your country

 

[icx]

@crossbearer007 That’s what we used until 6 months then transitioned to the crib in her room.

 

[donnorisr]

@icx Yup, same.

 

[ashleye23]

@crossbearer007 When I took the baby care course through my hospital a few months ago they recommended a pack & play or playard for sleeping after the baby outgrows the bassinet. Located in the US.

 

[ihadavision]

@ashleye23 Did they say how to get the baby up out of it? We're doing a pack n play instead of a crib, but even with the bassinet part, picking her up is killing my back, and she's only 8lbs. I'm not sure how we'll deal when she outgrows it and has to be at floor level.

 

[laquona26]

@ihadavision Focus on proper lifting technique. Instead of lifting with your back (like a back extension) lift like a deadlift. (YouTube will help with videos of how to do this.) These are not ergonomic products for a parent, that’s for sure, but maybe this will help.

 

[greyareagcu]

@ihadavision She might want to be at floor level even before outgrowing the bassinet level. Lots of babies don’t like the bit of movement that happens because of the bassinet mattress being suspended. Maybe some sort of core workouts outside of lifting baby would help? Or making sure you bend with your back straight? I’m not sure!

 

[ihadavision]

@greyareagcu I'm only 3 weeks postpartum, so my core is still a floppy noodle, but bouncing her on a yoga ball at all hours is helping lol