How Old Can Baby Use Graco Pack and Play for

Can a newborn baby sleep in a Pack N Play?

Yes! Just like bassinets and cribs, playards are federally regulated for infant sleep.

It's perfectly fine to use a Pack N Play instead of a crib or a bassinet.

A newborn can either sleep in the upper bassinet (that comes with certain models) or the lower part of the Pack N Play. Both are considered safe—but with 4 important caveats that we'll get to shortly.

Now let's talk about the safety of Pack N Play attachments…

Which Pack N Play attachments are safe for infant sleep?

The only type of playard attachment that's safe for sleep is a BASSINET.

Here's an example of a Pack N Play that comes with a bassinet attachment (which is safe for sleep):

The bassinet is that circular thing on the left.

PACK N PLAY WITH BASSINET

Now here's an example of a Pack N Play attachment that is NOT safe for sleep:

The thing on the left is a "seat".

PACK N PLAY WITH SEAT

As you can see, these 2 products look very very similar.

But there are important differences between the attachments:

• The bassinet attachment (in the first image) is firm and flat and meets federal safety standards for infant sleep.
• The seat attachment (in the second image) is padded, inclined, and has straps/buckles to hold the infant in place. It is not safe for sleep, even if you are supervising.

As a reminder, right now we are talking about the attachments, not the rest of the playard. In both of the previous examples, the rest of the playard is safe for sleep.

Be careful: It's not uncommon for companies to sneak the word "bassinet" into their sales descriptions when the product is not a true bassinet.

In order to be a true bassinet, it must meet CPSC safety standards.

The only way to know for sure whether the product is indeed a regulated bassinet is to check the user manual, which is a legal document. If the manual calls it a bassinet, you're good to go.

TIP: If you're still in the decision-making phase about which Pack N Play to buy, you can easily Google the user manual by searching [model name] + manual.

What about "nappers"?

As surprising as this, the napper attachment on a Pack N Play is NOT safe for infant sleep.

Do not let your baby sleep in a "napper" even if you are supervising.

Thankfully, Graco has phased out the misleading name "napper" and replaced it with "seat". But nappers are unfortunately still available for sale through distributors and resellers.

How can it be called a napper when it isn't safe for naps?

Two words: Irresponsible marketing

…which will finally become illegal in 2022.

Nappers are too padded and too inclined to be safe for sleep. They are not subject to federal safety regulations.

Again: Bassinets are the only Pack N Play attachments that are safe for sleep.

Are bassinet levels on a Pack N Play safe for sleep?

A bassinet "insert" is the higher level of the Pack N Play, also called a bassinet level.

As you can see below, the pink mattress is towards the top of the Pack N Play. This is considered the bassinet.

PACK N PLAY WITH BASSINET INSERT

Bassinet levels of a Pack N Play meet federal safety standards, and are therefore safe for a newborn to sleep.

Be sure to check your user manual, as most Pack N Play bassinets have a weight limit of 15 lbs and should no longer be used once the baby can push up on their hands and knees.

What determines whether a Pack N Play is safe for infant sleep?

While Pack N Plays are generally considered safe for newborns to sleep in, there are 4 important caveats to keep in mind:

1) Manufacture date

2) Condition

3) Milestones

4) How you use it

Let's break those down…

Manufacture date

In order for a Pack N Play to be safe, it needs to have been manufactured after February 2013, which is when the latest safety standards were implemented.

If your playard was manufactured before then, it's not safe to use.

Condition

If you just purchased a new Pack N Play and assembled it according to the user manual, you're probably in good shape.

Just double-check that:

• The sides are locked into place.
• The mattress isn't bubbling.

If you've already owned your Pack N Play for a bit — or you're receiving one second-hand — there are several things to be aware of:

• If a supplemental mattress has ever been used with your playard, it's no longer safe for infant sleep.
• If  the Pack N Play has ever been repaired or modified, you should replace it.
• Check that the mattress isn't warped or bubbling. This frequently happens when the mattress has been washed incorrectly. (Read how to clean a playard safely)
• As always, make sure the sides are locked into place and that the playard is structurally intact with no loose stitching or stretched-out material.

Milestones

It's important to read your user manual to see when any and all parts of your Pack N Play are no longer safe for use.

Keep in mind that there are different height and weight limits for each section of the playard.

Many bassinet levels have a weight limit of 15lbs. Typically the overall structure has a weight limit of 30lbs and a height limit of 35 inches.

Related: Pack N Play Weight Limits: When To Stop Using Your Playard

How you use it

The third element of making sure that your Pack N Play is safe is creating the right sleep environment. Here are some important highlights:

A Pack N Play is only safe for sleep if it's completely empty. No toys, cushions, DockATots, Snuggle Me loungers, blankets (under or over baby), lovies, or stuffed animals.

It's never safe to add a supplemental mattress or anything at all to make a Pack N Play more comfortable.

If your playard has attachments such as a changer or napper, they need to be removed before sleep.

Always place your baby down on their back, even if you suspect they might roll over later.

If your baby is showing any signs of being able to roll over (or is already rolling), stop swaddling immediately.

Make sure that the Pack N Play is a minimum of 1 foot away from any objects, curtains, furniture, etc.

Dress your baby appropriately based on the temperature of the room to avoid overheating. Read more about how to keep your baby warm at night.

You can read all the evidence here.

How Old Can Baby Use Graco Pack and Play for

Source: https://www.adensmom.com/can-newborn-sleep-in-pack-n-play/

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