The Graco Bassinet Pack 'N Play has really worked out great for our baby's needs! At first I had hesitated in registering one, but my friends who are seasoned mothers said it is a must have!
The Pack 'N Play is a 28 inch by 40 inch rectangular play pen with a bassinet attachment that folds up into a convenient carrying case about the size of a small golf bag. It has a sturdy aluminum and plastic construction that is padded with a vinyl-type fabric. Ours is a tasteful blue and cream plaid. The fabric is easy to wash and maintain. The sides of the Pack 'N Play are made out of a see-through mess, so that baby can see out at the environment around them. There are two wheels that lock on the one end of the playpen. I haven't quite figured out why all of the legs don't have wheels. I guess they wanted it more sturdy, but yet wanted you to be able to roll it around when the one side is lifted.
It is relatively easy to assemble. Usually my husband is "in charge" of assembling and disassembling the Pack 'N Play, but I was able to figure out how to operate it last week without the directions. You lock the four sides of the pen, press the center locking device in place and lay the pad inside of the playpen. Then you would secure the bassinet inside of the top if you wanted to use that piece. I will admit it was a little awkward at first. We have had a few problems getting the sides to lock. We have to work at it a little bit now and then. Also it took me a little while to figure out how to get the bottom down correctly. To disassemble you 1) remove the bottom pad 2) unlock the sides near the center, which is marked on the inside rail, 3) collapse the pen, which folds up neatly. There is a carrying case that comes with it, and all the pieces fit nicely into it. It could be considered a bit bulky when it is all folded up in its carrying case. It really doesn't bother me though... considering what we get out of it. I remember the old wooden, portable playpens my sister had when we were little. Now THAT was bulky!
Our baby girl is currently 8 months old and we have used the Pack 'N Play numerous times! When she was first born we didn't have a traditional bassinet, so we used this one while she slept in our room. It worked out just great for us. The only downfall was that the vinyl material that the bottom pad is made of makes a "swooshing" noise when the baby moves around on it. It can be quite distracting while you are trying to sleep. Especially in the first weeks of life when you are on edge about their every movement anyway. I do hear there are special sheets for the Pack 'N Plays, but I haven't seen any in our area. Those might cut down on the noise.
We have to do a lot of traveling since our families do not live in our area. The Pack 'N Play has been a perfect bed for our baby during our travels. As I said she started using the Bassinet as her bed, but since she is bigger now and on the verge of crawling we have removed the bassinet and she sleeps in the bottom of the pen. The only problem here is that I am short! I am 5' tall and it is a little difficult for me to bend over the rail to lay my baby in the bottom of the Pack 'N Play. Of course this is no problem for my husband who is over 6' tall. I am use to being vertically challenged, so it really isn't that big of a deal.
Just within the past few weeks, we started using the Pack 'N Play as a playpen. Our baby is just learning to crawl and can roll all over the house in seconds flat. If I have to go into the other room, it is nice to know that she is secure in her playpen. She actually enjoys playing in it. I put a variety of her toys in with her, and it is instant fun! Sometimes she likes to just lay there with her blankie and chill out. A really funny thing is she likes to press her face up against the mesh sides. We have our very own little piggy in a pen!
We received this as a gift, so I am not sure exactly how much they paid for it. The estimated price of $105 is about what I remember it costing when we registered it. Although I have heard of some great sales, where you can get it a lot cheaper than that.
In closing, the Graco Bassinet Pack 'N Play has been wonderful for our family. I recommend it highly to all families, but especially those who do a lot of traveling and need a portable bed.
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