why is it better than a pack n play? I"m expecting my second child, and with the first, I had a regular crib, but ended up co-sleeping quite a lot. Now, the first child still spends the second half of the night in our bed, and it's getting crowded; don't want to end up with 4 people squeezed into a smallish double bed. But what is the advantage, if any, of getting this over, say, a pack n play with bassinet, which I could keep next to my bed? The latter would cost half the price, and would, one might think, be useful for about 4 times as long. (or, for that matter, why pick this over switching over to sleeping on a couple of double futons for a while, then there'd be plenty of room for everyone...?) why is it better than a pack n play? I"m expecting my second child, and with the first, I had a regular crib, but ended up co-sleeping quite a lot. Now, the first child still spends the... » Read More why is it better than a pack n play? I"m expecting my second child, and with the first, I had a regular crib, but ended up co-sleeping quite a lot. Now, the first child still spends the second half of the night in our bed, and it's getting crowded; don't want to end up with 4 people squeezed into a smallish double bed. But what is the advantage, if any, of getting this over, say, a pack n play with bassinet, which I could keep next to my bed? The latter would cost half the price, and would, one might think, be useful for about 4 times as long. (or, for that matter, why pick this over switching over to sleeping on a couple of double futons for a while, then there'd be plenty of room for everyone...?) « Show Less
1396541
I have had a fantastic experience with our co-sleeper. The only real difference between this and a pack n play is that it's almost the same level of your mattress, and attached, so lifting baby in and out in the middle of the night was so easy. It was a lot easier keeping my boy asleep when I didn't have to sit up and lift him over the edge of a pack n play. It's not essential, either one would work, but I found it very helpful for us. Granted, he still ends up snuggled between us half the time - but it's nice to have a spot to stick him when I want a little room to stretch. My boy's almost a year old, and on the larger end of the scale, and he's still using ours. It's snug though! I have had a fantastic experience with our co-sleeper. The only real difference between this and a pack n play is that it's almost the same level of your mattress, and attached, so lifting baby in and out in the middle of the night was so easy. It was a lot easier keeping my boy asleep when I didn't have to sit up and lift him over the edge of a pack n play. It's not essential, either one would work, but I found it very helpful for us. Granted, he still ends up snuggled between us half the time - but it's nice to have a spot to stick him when I want a little room to stretch. My boy's almost... » Read More I have had a fantastic experience with our co-sleeper. The only real difference between this and a pack n play is that it's almost the same level of your mattress, and attached, so lifting baby in and out in the middle of the night was so easy. It was a lot easier keeping my boy asleep when I didn't have to sit up and lift him over the edge of a pack n play. It's not essential, either one would work, but I found it very helpful for us. Granted, he still ends up snuggled between us half the time - but it's nice to have a spot to stick him when I want a little room to stretch. My boy's almost a year old, and on the larger end of the scale, and he's still using ours. It's snug though! « Show Less
1396542
the main difference is that the arm's reach is designed specifically for cosleeping and it straps to the bed so you don't end up with too much of a gap.
1396543
I was wondering is the matress on the co sleeper firm? I've been using a pack n play with bassinet and I dont like that it doesnt lay completely flat.
1396544
Main advantage here is also the fact that the weight limit on pack n play bassinet levels are usually 15 lbs... my son chunked up to that weight by 2.5 months, but he co-slept next to us in the Arm's Reach co-sleeper for almost 4 months. So, check out the weight limits on pack n plays. It just depends how long you plan to have baby in your room with you!
1396545
The mattress on the co-sleeper is firm and completely flat. We had our first in a pack-n-play next to the bed but now there are creases in it at the seams from him laying in it nightly. For our second we went co-sleeper and I will never go back. I would buy it again, even if it were $600.
317022
Mine came with a bassinet, but I haven't used it. I bought the pack n play to accommodate an 18 month old grandson who was visiting. It was great for that, and I know my daughter has used her pack n play for a crib, but keep in mind that it has only a pad - not a mattress. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
866841
I think having two separate ones offers more flexibility down the road if you have the space for both. We ended up getting this as a gift. We loved it the first several months next to the bed, but we ended up borrowing a second normal pack and play for traveling until they were about three.
197304
Telly, I agree, The one we bought only has two positions all the way up for newborns and all the way down for toddlers. We had a terrible time putting this thing up as the instructions confusing. However we like the crib very much and have gotten good use for it. P/S We fold it up and slide it under our bed till we need it.
670157
I've known a lot of people who have used Pack N Plays as cribs. They are meant to be a place for baby to sleep. Keep in mind though, that there are no government regulations for play yards (or bassinets), so they may not follow the same safety guidelines as cribs.
2210812
You will need a crib mattress for that one, and this is a mattress for a pack n play. They are much different in size. On a side note... I have the same crib for my baby who just turned one and the crib is missing an excessive amount of finish on the inside of the crib. The finish is not durable at all. But I do love the crib and would buy it again.
188652
If you are co-sleeping it should be fine. But if you want it to actually contain the little one, I would recommend a pack 'n play instead, as mine at 11 months could easily climb out.
1224763
With the old one you could only use one car seat at a time, and I have not seen a double car seat bar for the new (just tray/tray and car seat/tray) You can put a baby directly in the Bob, it lays flat enough and then just get a J J Cole body support (it's better than the snuzzler IMO but about the same price) We did this with my youngest at 4-5 weeks. If you really want the ease of popping in and out with a bucket, even if Bob offered such an add on, with their prices you wouldn't pay much more for a new double snap n go, less for used, and it would be so much easier to travel with. I have 3yo twins, i got my doubl snap n go for 10 bucks on craigslist and it was a great purchase. With the old one you could only use one car seat at a time, and I have not seen a double car seat bar for the new (just tray/tray and car seat/tray) You can put a baby directly in the Bob, it lays flat enough and then just get a J J Cole body support (it's better than the snuzzler IMO but about the same price) We did this with my youngest at 4-5 weeks. If you really want the ease of popping in and out with a bucket, even if Bob offered such an add on, with their prices you wouldn't pay much more for a new double snap n go, less for used, and it would be so much easier to travel with. I have... » Read More With the old one you could only use one car seat at a time, and I have not seen a double car seat bar for the new (just tray/tray and car seat/tray) You can put a baby directly in the Bob, it lays flat enough and then just get a J J Cole body support (it's better than the snuzzler IMO but about the same price) We did this with my youngest at 4-5 weeks. If you really want the ease of popping in and out with a bucket, even if Bob offered such an add on, with their prices you wouldn't pay much more for a new double snap n go, less for used, and it would be so much easier to travel with. I have 3yo twins, i got my doubl snap n go for 10 bucks on craigslist and it was a great purchase. « Show Less
2175457
My wife and I would say no (but you could get differing responses). It's not a good substitute for a bassinet because a bassinet is meant to mimic closeness to mom/parent and at the same height as their bed. The Travel Crib is great as a substitute for a real crib and it packs up quite nicely. I am currently responding to you on vacation with my wife and 5.5 month LO in Playa Del Carmen Mexico and she is sleeping soundly in it right now!
364937
I agree with Peggy's answer also. I bought the Inner Spring mattress for use when our grandson visits. He sleeps very well on it. It is also used (with our pack n play) whenever he is sleeping away from home. I would spend the slight price difference and purchase the inner spring mattress. However, either mattress is a huge improvement over sleeping on the thin pad that comes with a pack n play! (Wish I had discovered it sooner!)
1490756
I have twin daughters and we purchase every option with this stroller. If I could go back I probably would not have purchased the bassinets. Most of the time we used the car seats and when we did use the bassinets it was very warm for the girls, a breeze can not get to them. I stopped using the bassinets at 3 months. I will say I did appreciate having them when I was in a very crowded place, people didn't ask to see or touch my babies. I also noticed they would sleep longer with bassinet, maybe comfort, less noise and darkness. You also can not swap between stroller seat and bassinet very easy. The bassinet uses the stroller seat frame, it is a 10 minute process to change them out. I hope this helps.
1028613
The Stokke crib is sold in two ways: as an individual crib and as a "system." I purchased the system, and it included the parts needed to start the crib as a small, round bassinet. So we used it as a bassinet for the first 3 months, and then added pieces to make it a full crib. Basically, if you purchase the Sleep as a crib only, then you get a crib. If you purchase the "system" then you can make a bassinet and a crib. Its a bit more functionality.
2140194
You do not. You use one pad while they are small and don't roll around everywhere. Once they start moving you will use both. My son is 6 weeks and still in bassinet and we use one right in the middle where we lay him. I love this product. It helps me relax and sleep better knowing I have it.
1742290
I agree with the previous answers -- we got the 15' by 17' model for our 3 boys and they love it. We had a slightly smaller one when they were little (they are 13, 13 and 9 now) and based on our experience, it pays to get the largest one you can afford. Even though there is a warning label saying only one person would use per time, that never happens, and our guys have had up to 8 kids at a time on this one. We do discourage flips, etc to reduce the likelihood of injuries. Get the big one, you won't regret it.
829347
I would agree that it is bigger than a mini-bassinet mattress. Instead of cutting it (which means you could reuse it once you move into a bigger crib) you could just tap the ends and sides to fit your mattress.
2115311
I'd also like to know the answer to this question. I plan on using the pack n play as a crib. Thoughts?
1134753
It depends. You need to get one on the smaller size. If you get a regular bassinet sheet, you may have to tuck it underneath and sometimes it bunches up, especially if the baby moves around. I picked out some small sheets and pull them tight so that they stay. I think if I were to do this again, I'd look into a different bassinet. I'd find one that at least had sheets to go with it, because this one does not.