https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:57:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-128876 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:48:54 +0000 sulli301 128876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the pack n' play! They can be used for so long! We just used ours for our bassinet &amp; it had a changer, bassinet feature, &amp; storage underneath! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-128804 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:32:48 +0000 ksnow 128804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I'm glad it seems like the Pack and Play is a good option, between the bassinet/napper or the elevated floor. I think I may keep my eyes open to see if I can find a used dresser that would work in the future, but if I don't find one it seems like I can manage without. (We're currently overseas and don't have much furniture selection.) I added a caddy to my list of things to register for :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-128371 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:18:20 +0000 purrpletulips 128371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a simple P&amp;P with two height options (high for infant stage and low for older/toddler). I would change diapers in it but put a receiving blanket or waterproof pad down first just in case of leakage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-128355 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:03:56 +0000 MamaG 128355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted pack &amp; play, but I wouldn't recommend the one you had linked. Our LO slept in the P&amp;P in our room for the first 10 weeks. The napper attachment is not intended for sleeping and once i saw how much our LO moved, I'm glad we didn't have it. Our P&amp;P had the diaper changing station and then a raised floor/mat bassinet (mostly so you don't have to reach as far to place the baby.</p> <p>We packed the P&amp;P away after 10 weeks but have now started using it again for travel and it will be used to contain our LO out in the yard when we are getting some work done outside.</p> <p>Also, we very rarely use the changing pad on top of the dresser. Most of the time as a newborn I laid the changing pad from her diaper bag on the end of our sectional couch and changed her there. Now at 8 months she mostly gets changed on the floor. Also, we have a 2 story and I couldn't do the stairs to change her diapers in her room initially. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-128310 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:35:48 +0000 Sha 128310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted pack &amp; play....for changing just get a changing pad and a caddy or plastic bin to hold supplies. We have a two story place so that's what we use downstairs, it works fine. I cover the changing pad cover with a little blanket or disposable cover so it's easy to wash/throw away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-128304 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:28:27 +0000 regberadaisy 128304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're in a similar situation in that we won't be moving into our new home until 1-2 months after her birth. So at our current house we have a hand me down pack n play that has a changing area set up in our bedroom. She'll be sleeping with us in a Summer Infant By Your Side Sleeper at night.<br /> I can see her napping in our bed -sans blankets- during the day and/or in the pack n play if she starts rolling before the move.</p> <p>I prefer the pack n play (although I never planned on registering for one it was a bonus that my brother still had my nephew's) over the bassinet. Because you can use it longer. And it will be helpful when we go visit family because it folds up so compact for traveling, if need be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-128296 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:21:45 +0000 banana 128296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never ended up using our pack n play but probably because we had a changing table, bassinett and crib. But if we didn't have any of these items, I may have used the pack n play more often. In the beginning, we changed his diaper anywhere and everywhere so I don't think you need a changing table right off the bat. You just need to get a diaper caddy or something to house all of your diaper changing needs. Once they get older and more mobile, you might want to use a changing table so that you can buckle them down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127890 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:01:10 +0000 SAHM0811 127890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That pack n play solves your bassinet and changing table needs... my first LO used that instead of a crib for the first 6 months. We've also never owned a changing table or had a changing pad/dresser setup. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127873 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:54:36 +0000 Minnie_Girl 127873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my experience with babysitting my nephew (from newborn up to now, 2yo), my preference is to keep things as simple and easy to move as possible. I've almost never used the changing table; as an infant he took his naps on the floor; etc. </p> <p>A bassinet is enough for newborns, but a full pack 'n play will come in handy later, esp. if you're moving around a lot. As long as you're willing to carry the equipment with you, why not? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127864 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:46:50 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 127864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're using a pack n play and really appreciate it's versatility. We used the bassinet/cradle attachment for the 1st month and now she just sleeps in the crib. Our first just slept with us, so no need for any of the above. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127793 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:07:41 +0000 heffalump 127793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a bassinet, and I don't think you need it. The baby grows out of it so fast, and the pack n play can be used for so much longer. </p> <p>I love having our changing table/dresser. It's convenient to have everything right there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127787 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:04:27 +0000 mrstilly 127787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We travel most weekends and have a fancy pack n play with the changer and bassinet as well as a plain pack n play which has a bassinet but no changing area. For the first 5-6 months, DS slept in the bassinet part of the pack n play. Once he started pushing up to his hands and knees, we lowered him to the floor of the pack n play. The changing table was handy, but it has a low weight limit and we only used it for the first 2ish months. </p> <p>Generally I changed DS wherever - the couch, floor, table, etc... I never even used DS's changing table until he was 6-7 months old. He also didn't start rolling away during diaper changes until he was 7-8 months old. Before then he might get squirmy, but he was still small enough and immobile enough to change safely on the couch or table. I just used a prefold or the changing pad that came with our diaper bag to put underneath him. </p> <p>I think you would be fine with a pack n play with the bassinet in it, rather than buying a separate bassinet. Also, I think you can get away without a changing table or changing area on a dresser, if that is a cost you want to put off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127761 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:45:14 +0000 mrs. wagon 127761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All you need for diaper changes is a jj cole diaper caddy! It holds diapers, wipes, and has a drawer for diaper cream, vaseline, etc. We still use it to this day and Wagon Jr. is 2 years old! It has a handle on top so you can carry it everywhere and has a changing pad so you can throw it down on any bed or couch or the floor. We also fill it and throw it in the car when we travel so we always have lots of supplies ready to go.</p> <p>Our pack n play has a bassinet attachment and changing table and we used both. We could have easily taken that all the way until 6 months (moving the baby into the main crib from the bassinet once it started rolling over). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127751 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:23:30 +0000 chopsuey 127751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I changed diapers all over the place and we didn't have a problem with it! LOs don't have too much stuff, so you can probably do without a dresser for the first 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127748 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:22:33 +0000 Mrsbells 127748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Many people survive without a designated changing area but I prefer to have a changing table or atleast a changing pad on a dresser because diaper changes can be messy and sometimes babies (especially boys) pee while they are being changed. Its just easier to have a specific place to always change them rather than changing them on the bed or sofa </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127742 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:18:39 +0000 SugarplumsMom 127742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read that a lot of new mom's end up changing diapers wherever, but as I have a fear of anything poopy, I can not see myself doing that - ever! Last thing I'd want is to change my bedsheets or clean the couch AFTER I've just changed, fed, and burped baby.</p> <p>If I were you, I'd buy the pack and play and the cabinet. You can use both of them even after you buy more baby furniture. The pack and play can eventually double as a portable crib and the cabinet your LO can use forever.</p> <p>But if there's limited space, maybe look for a portable changing table instead? That way you can have a spare in another part of the house once you're done with the nursery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127716 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:59:57 +0000 looch 127716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ksnow: I'd get the pack and play that you listed, that's what I mean by travel bed. We used a bassinet like this, and while it served the purpose, I couldn't travel with it. </p> <p><a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3997259" rel="nofollow">http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3997259</a></p> <p>As far as changing everywhere, I prefer not to do that. At first, there's not a lot of wiggling around and you could set up little stations with the supplies, but I liked having a dedicated spot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127705 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:48:03 +0000 ksnow 127705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Looch - everyone keeps telling me that I'll just be changing the baby whereever, but I also cannot really picture doing it on the bed/couch....especially cause I just keep picturing a rolling baby getting mess everywhere :/ </p> <p>What exactly is a travel bed? Basically, I'm trying to think of something easy to take around with us to a few different hotels in the process of the move to give the baby a stable place to sleep at night. I was thinking a pack and play might work well for that? Seems like some people like the bassinet better for when they're little, smaller space that lines right up to the bed height? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127694 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:41:58 +0000 looch 127694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some other things to consider are if you need a travel bed...we used a bassinet for the first 6 months and we could have used a travel bed a few months later, but we did without it. Also, do you have two levels to contend with, you might need a spot to place the baby during the day.</p> <p>As for the changing table, I needed it. I don't like to change poop on couches or beds and I loved having at standing height. It saved my back those early days, esp. when my arms were wrecked from the constant holding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/make-shift-nursery-pack-and-play-or-bassinet-need-a-dresserchanging-table#post-127689 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:38:47 +0000 ksnow 127689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So based on some logistical moving issues we've decided to postpone buying most of our big nursery pieces until the baby will be about 6 months old. Some items I'm not sure on that I could use some advice...</p> <p>Would you rather have something like this fancy pack and play (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Newborn-Napper-Elite-Vance/dp/B005UV0UU4/ref=br_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&#038;coliid=I2Q5EXTAM2T29A&#038;colid=2ZNXXWIQ63Y6U" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Newborn-Napper-Elite-Vance/dp/B005UV0UU4/ref=br_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&#038;coliid=I2Q5EXTAM2T29A&#038;colid=2ZNXXWIQ63Y6U</a>) or a bassinet? The pack and play has a bassinet and changing area, but I'm not sure how well they work, I think most just have the baby sleep on the elevated floor?</p> <p>Also, I'm not sure if I need a dresser to put a changing pad on. I don't really have anything the right height that will work right now. I know people change a lot of diapers on the bed/couch/floor/wherever they are, but I'm wondering is that feasible for every diaper change? Or will I want a home base with all my supplies and easy standing height?</p> <p>Thanks! </p>