https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:37:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-384862 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:43:58 +0000 sarac 384862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, the rolling over and nursing without having to move a baby is the key point of the sidecar. This could be replicated by just having an open crib next to the bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-384833 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:30:18 +0000 lemondrop 384833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: I did have to lean over and down a little to pick him up- not bad except for the first week or so after birth since I was pretty sore. After that it was a non-issue. </p> <p>My SIL got one of those "arm's reach co-sleepers" which I helped her put together, it was big and clunky and not ideal for travel- not at all easy to fold and put away. That influenced my decision just to go for the travel P&amp;P. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-384823 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:26:36 +0000 JoJoGirl 384823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: Thanks!! I also don't want to be superfluous stuff. But my desire to not get out of bed when LO cries is equally as strong :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-384496 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:17:37 +0000 babynumber1 384496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: LOL @ "the little beast" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-384461 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:07:26 +0000 JoJoGirl 384461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babynumber1: I can see that about it being in the way. I also have a nightstand so I'm not sure how the PnP would squeeze up next to the bed too. Actually I don't know how that would work with a co-sleeper either.</p> <p>@mrs. wagon: That's a good idea as well! </p> <p>@sorrycharlie: We have a pillowtop mattress with an extra pillowtop mattress cover on top (it's like sleeping on a cloud) so is super tall. I imagine though the bassinet is probably deep enough I'll have to get up anyway. Hmm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-384455 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:05:42 +0000 lemondrop 384455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We really didn't want to buy more things that we wouldn't use for very long, so we just used a hand me down travel PNP for the first month next to the bed. </p> <p>We still use it for a travel bed and as a playpen when we need to keep the little beast contained. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383984 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:15:10 +0000 sorrycharlie 383984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't speak to the height of the PNP unfortunately, because ours is set up downstairs and our bed is upstairs. but - I can give you some other insight.</p> <p>we have a 10" memory foam mattress on top of a basic height metal bed frame and box spring. I had the bassinet pulled up next to the bed and could lift her out, though it involved butt-scooching to get comfortable again. I just went out and bought the summer infant co-sleeper thing that goes in the bed because I was tired of trying to reach her. not sure what we'll do when she outgrows it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383764 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:32:17 +0000 mrs. wagon 383764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have space in your room for the crib next to the bed and it's a convertible, you can take off the front wall of the crib and put it next to your mattress (and lower the crib to the height of your bed) to act just like a co-sleeper. We had LMW in a pack n play but had this set up as well in case we needed an option to cosleep. Unfortunately she didn't like cosleeping! (with the pack n play you HAVE to get up out of bed to get the baby....) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383735 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:24:31 +0000 babynumber1 383735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: If you were set on doing the cosleeper, thats what I would do. The cosleeper on the pnp would have really gotten in my way trying to get in and out of bed. I really loved having the pnp in our room, though. It is still there almost 6 months later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383639 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:52:41 +0000 JoJoGirl 383639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babynumber1: So you mean a PnP and a separate co-sleeper entirely that attaches? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383634 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:51:42 +0000 babynumber1 383634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: We used the pack and play for the first 4 months. We also kept the changing table attatchment on and we still use that every day. I really like having the changing table attatchment in our room. LO sleeps in her room now, but it is way across the house and we still get her dressed and change her in our room. It depends on how your routine ends up. I wouldn't have like the cosleeper attatchment because the pnp is very large and would make it hard to get out of bed (especially if you had a csection) I would just do a cosleeper that you could take off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383632 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:51:17 +0000 JoJoGirl 383632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@banana: Okay then. Good to know - this is exactly why I wanted to ask all you more experienced parents. :) The question of 'is it worth it to buy a PnP (as a travel crib) AND a co-sleeper' might actually be YES and that's what I need help with! So thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383614 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:44:50 +0000 banana 383614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: For what it's worth, if I could go back to the very beginning (before my 2 kids), I would've bought a co-sleeper that attaches to the bed. I was (and still am) constantly worried about SIDS and I'm always getting up in the middle of the night to check up on the baby. My son had reflux so he would make these scary gurgling noises at night and I would jump out of bed to check up on him and make sure he wasn't choking! I have a tall bed too but not tall enough to look over the PnP to see the baby sleeping. I would've loved to have the baby sleep in a co-sleeper where I can just open my eyes and see/feel the baby breathing. And sometimes, when the baby stirs at night, it would've been nice to just reach my arm out and pat the baby back to sleep instead of getting up out of bed. I've always wanted to co-sleep but I was too cheap to buy a co-sleeper, thinking a PnP would be more economical. Both my kids hated sleeping in the PnP so we didn't really use it much and they ended up just sleeping with us in our bed. And the PnP is too heavy to just lug around for travel. If I could rewind time, I would've bought a co-sleeper + a lightweight travel crib. Oh well... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383596 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:34:17 +0000 JoJoGirl 383596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@banana: I wish I could predict what I'll want to do. But makes sense about the 4th wall. I guess all things being equal, getting up won't make that much of a difference.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383592 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:33:17 +0000 banana 383592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used the PnP next to our bed for the first few months too. We still have to get up to pick up the baby to nurse because the PnP has walls on all 4 sides. Whereas a co-sleeper has walls on just 3 sides with the non-wall side butting up against your mattress. So if you're wanting something where you can just reach over, grab the baby, and BF while side-lying, you might want to get a co-sleeper. But if you're planning on BFing while sitting up or if you don't mind getting up momentarily to pick up the baby and bring the baby back to bed with you for the feeding, a PnP would work well for that.</p> <p>ETA: I did tons of side-lying BFing with my son and I ended up developing mastitis from it. I think it's because I was putting pressure on the side that was against the mattress and I ended up getting clogged ducts. :( So I stopped side-lying and haven't done so with my DD either. I just get up and feed while sitting up on my bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383588 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:30:16 +0000 JoJoGirl 383588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bpcmarj: Thanks!! our bed is tall too but I don't know how tall (I read the PnP is 29"). I guess I shouldn't be too invested in getting out of bed to stand and get baby vs. not, I just always loved the idea of an attachable co-sleeper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383562 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:19:32 +0000 bpcmarj 383562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She is still (at 6 months) in the bassinet level of the pnp. It's next to my side of the bed, forming like a T with the bed so that I can still walk up to it on the big side. I can sit up and pull her into bed with me, but we have a tall bed and I am tall with really long arms. I do think it could replace a cosleeper in many ways, but to put her back in I do have to get up and lay her down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383521 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:07:29 +0000 JoJoGirl 383521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rubies: Hmm okay... they have the dimensions in the Amazon listing so I can see how the height will line up. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383518 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:05:34 +0000 Rubies 383518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: We put it at the foot of our bed and yeah, you have to get up to get her. For us, it was okay, but if you're trying to NOT get out of bed, then it may be tricky. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383294 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:10:53 +0000 JoJoGirl 383294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Nice, thanks!! The advantage of the PnP is it folds up small for travel too, meaning another thing to not have to buy (travel bedding etc). More uses in one item, the better. :) I'm not so worried about it actually attaching as long it's convenient to get the baby while I'm still in bed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383290 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:07:53 +0000 ShootingStar 383290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could get a PnP like this that has a co-sleeper attached - <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3330190" rel="nofollow">http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3330190</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383283 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:04:36 +0000 JoJoGirl 383283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprk: I'll check that out too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383281 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:03:52 +0000 JoJoGirl 383281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rubies: PERFECT. One less thing to buy. Did you just put it up next to you bed? Could you get it close enough you didn't have to get up to grab her? That is my ultimate goal :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383278 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:03:20 +0000 aprk 383278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm hoping to get a Breeze w the bassinet for baby to sleep in next to the bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383276 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:01:51 +0000 Rubies 383276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From birth until she was 3.5 months old, my LO slept in the PnP. From there, she went into her crib. It worked out perfectly for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/im-a-gear-newb-can-a-pack-nplay-replace-a-bassinet-that-attaches-to-the-side-of-the-bed#post-383265 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 10:58:42 +0000 JoJoGirl 383265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks to all of your recommendations on gear lists, I signed up for Lucie's List and am starting to wade through her recommendations, one of which is this: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Pack-Playard-Bassinet-Pasadena/dp/B004Y9AKZI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Pack-Playard-Bassinet-Pasadena/dp/B004Y9AKZI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top</a><br /> Playpen + bassinet in one. Brilliant!</p> <p>First question: I had envisioned us using a bassinet that attaches to the bed for the "4th tri" so we can co-sleep in the beginning without concerns about bed space. I love the idea of getting a PnP with bassinet insert instead of having to buy a piece of furniture we'll use for 4 months and then be done with.</p> <p>Has anyone used this beside the bed with a newborn? How is the height? Do you think it would work well as our only bassinet? </p>