How long a baby can sleep in Pack'n'Play?

VD October 10 2021

These days, there’s no shortage of clever things that make your parenting duties easier and even more enjoyable. From baby monitors to baby rockers, tons of gadgets help new moms keep sane while allowing them to care for the baby in the best possible way. A portable crib is one such smart invention.

Pack ‘N Play is one of the most popular portable cribs used by thousands of parents across the globe. No wonder that often a question arises, whether a baby can actually sleep in the Pack ‘N Play crib?

After all, it’s just a crib designed to keep the baby safe, and we are all for safety, right? In short, the answer is yes. A baby can definitely sleep in a portable crib.

In fact, your little one can use it as a cot for bedtime feedings and snuggles with mom or dad, as a playpen to keep him safe while you’re busy doing stuff around the house, or just change his diaper… The possibilities are endless!

However, there is a certain age that your kid should be before being allowed to stay in a Pack 'N Play without supervision. This is about six months old. Also, if you have decided to buy this kind of pack n’ play, then make sure that it complies with all standards of safety as well as comfortability. In case you already have a Pack 'N Play and want to know whether your kid can sleep there, we’ve got you covered. The article will let you know everything about the safety rules when it comes to sleeping in a crib like this one.

How safe is Pack’n’Play?

Every new parent who receives this portable crib as a gift or buys it in a baby store, is wondering, is it OK to leave a baby in the crib to sleep. Here’s the answer you are looking for.

Pack’n’Play is a portable crib that has one main function: to provide a safe and secure play area for your baby. This crib is made of mesh material and padded at all sides.

The solid and thick frame of the crib has no spaces where the baby can stuff her head or fingers. Even a stronger toddler baby cannot rock the crib and make it fall on the side. Transparent and breathable material allows the baby to breathe freely while also letting the mother or a caregiver watch the baby while doing her chores around the house.

So the answer is: yes, babies can sleep in their Pack’n’Play crib, just the same way as they can sleep in their regular crib.

However, there are some rules you have to follow.

First thing first: make sure that all the parts of the Pack’n’Play crib are securely attached and the whole crib is not wobbly or loose. If it is, then tighten or fix it immediately to avoid any accident. Also, make sure that the mesh netting covers all sides of the pack n play well enough for now baby can breathe easily inside.

If you do notice any defects, don't use this portable crib for your little one until you fix everything properly!

Also, check whether there are folding feet under the bag - if they don't exist, then attach them before using this portable crib as a sleeping solution for your little one.

Pack'n'Play is a crib for your baby, but it's not perfect. You have to make sure that all the sides are high enough to keep the baby from rolling out on his own.

How big should Pack 'N Play be?

One more thing you should know about Pack ‘N Play is its size. In fact, the dimensions of this portable crib vary depending on certain models and brands. But before buying one, check whether it suits your needs and limitations well enough!

The standard dimensions for this type of cribs are 34x29x29 inches (width x length x height) or 86x74x74 cm in the metric system. Make sure that it’s too small for mommy’s bed, but not too big for a small room of yours.

Pack 'N Play is a perfect solution for a small home where there is no space to have a separate crib and playpen, or for traveling! Many parents use this type of pack ‘n play as a sleeping place for their babies at home and take it with them when they travel long distances by car, train or plane. Just keep clearly in mind that you can't use it on an airplane trip!

Once again - make sure that the pack n play you intend to buy complies with all safety standards.

How safe is Pack'n'Play during the first six months?

So now we know that baby can sleep in a portable crib. But is it safe at all?

Of course, for a small baby or a newborn who can’t lift his head up yet, this crib cannot be safe. So the answer is “no” during those first six months of your baby’s life. Don't put him in there until he learns to keep his neck and head steady!

But after that period, it's the perfect place for a nap or overnight sleep. Just don't forget to follow all rules and safety precautions mentioned above!

For more information about Pack 'N Play functionality and its main purpose - as a play area for your baby, read our previous article. There you will find out everything about pack n play types as well as features!

How long can babies sleep in Pack’n’Play?

As you are learning more about various uses of Pack ‘N Play, you can still wonder for how long a baby can remain in the portable crib safely? After all, Pack ‘N Play cribs are different in design and size. Still, there are certain best practices that you should know and stick to.

Cribs with bassinets are suitable for babies that weigh up to 14 lbs. Keeping a heavier or more active baby in the bassinet can be unsafe since the baby can roll over and even fall out of the bassinet. The danger of suffocation is also very real.

With regular models of portable cribs without any additional modules attached, the maximum baby weight to be used is 30 lbs. After your baby or toddler reaches this weight, keeping her in the Plack’n’Play, or any other portable crib, is no longer safe, and you should consider upgrading your play area to a playpen.

Another important milestone is height. Some babies do not grow heavier but can be taller. When your baby reaches 35 inches in height, it’s time to move on from Pack ‘N Play and into the regular playpen.

So you can see, the question “How long a baby can sleep in Pack'n'Play?” has a different answer depending on the model and size of the playpen.

You also have to keep your baby's age in mind as well! Even if she is within the weight range for this crib, it doesn't mean that she should remain there forever!

Pack 'N Play is a great place for babies to have fun, but remember that they need time to grow and develop! In fact, there are certain activities that your child should take part in during her first year which will help her develop motor skills and build up strength. So make sure to check our next article "Recommended activities for 1st year"!

Conclusion

Pack ‘N Play is a wonderful invention that helps thousands of parents to keep their babies safe and properly taken care of while working from home or doing home chores. Make sure to keep these guidelines in mind and you will enjoy every minute of your portable crib time.

Of course, sometimes it’s necessary to leave your child alone for a while. In this case, make sure you have a playpen set up in advance and check out our next article about How to prepare a safe “play area” for a baby.