How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We will (hopefully) be closing on a house on August 3rd - one story.
Is a pack n play necessary? I know a lot of people get them to have something for the baby to sleep in downstairs during that day - that won't be an issue.
Are they easy to transport that they are worth it to bring to grandma's etc when visiting?
Possibly thinking of one anyway for baby to sleep in when in our room vs a bassinet anyway...

Thoughts?

TIA!

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

we are in an apt. and I wont be getting a PnP for our place - HOWEVER I will be getting one for MIL's house. Personally I dont see the need for it in a 1 level house.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

Right now I am in a one level house and I registered for one , but I will use it at other houses, or the play pen when he gets a little older. I don't think I will use it otherwise, I have the basinett and his nursery

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I used the pnp as a bassinet for the first 5 weeks, I also used the changing table part of the PNP alot during the day.....

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

Not sure I see a real need in a one story house for a PNP. We have a two story house and I loved using it to change DS and not have to walk upstairs to do so. I also liked that I could put him down safely to go to the bathroom or to answer the phone. Lastly, I liked it when we would travel I felt like I had a safe bed for DS. I plan on reusing it for DD. I guess if you like to travel a lot it would still be a good thing to get, but otherwise I think you could skip it.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

Not at all, we never once used it in our house. BUT, we use it ALL the time, a the homes of family or friends, when we go on trips (i dont trust hotel rental cribs)

Message edited 7/9/2009 9:56:12 AM.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

Mine is still in the box and my living room is in the basement....

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We got a PandP, and a bassinett, and we live in a 1 floor house.

I almost feel like it's going to be overkill....

My intentions are to use it in the basement(while I am doing laundry and working out), outside in the yard, and at my parents house.....

But with that being said - it is still in the box - and I am only about 60-70% set on keeping it....

Message edited 7/9/2009 9:57:03 AM.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I registered for PnP b/c A) inlaws don't have a crib & well, I don't think they'll purchase one, so the baby will need somewhere to sleep when we are over there B) hotels & friends house when we travel!! C) For when we want to hang outside, it could be nice to have.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

we live in a one floor apartment and have the bassinet in the bedroom and pack n play in the living room.

without it - i don't know what we'd do. she sleeps in the pack n play when not in the swing during the day....as the bassinet wouldn't fit in and out of the doors in the house to move it around...

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I would say no, if you already have another changing table.

However, I have found ours invaluable for traveling/visiting etc. and, we also used one outside (I would throw some toys in there with DD while I did yard work).

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I used mine a lot. It was in my LV. I have 2 dogs and I did not want them all over the baby all the time.

As DS grew older it was a great place for him to play in a "contained" area while I was doing things in the house too.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We live in an 2-story townhome but most of the living area is on the 2nd floor. We got a PnP which we'll have in our room for a little while when she's a newborn (our room is on the total opposite side of the house than the nursery) and then move it to the living room once she's sleeping in her own room. We also plan to use it when we visit family/friends, etc.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We have a one story apt. We did not use the pack and play when DD was an infant, but she is 17 months old now and we use it everyday. Once she was mobile we set it up in our LR and we put her in it when we need to leave the room for any reason.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

Thanks for your opinions. If nothing else, it sounds like it may be worth it for travel. We come up to NY in the summer so it will be good for that.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I live in a one story house and I plan to set it up in my "great" room (living room/kitchen area). THis way, if I have to run to the bathroom or I'm cooking the baby could hang out in it and I don't have to worry. Given the baby likes to be in there, I think it is a good thing to have.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I have a one story condo and I LOVE having my pack n play... it's so convenient with the changing table and it vibrates and plays music, so DS loves being in it. It's also really good for travel. If you have the room, I say go for it!

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We used it as a bassinet for the first 10 weeks and then it went to the babysitter's house for the next 3 months.

Now that DD is in day care we use it when she spends the night at my mother's house. We actually keep it in the car.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We live in an apartment, so there really isn't much need for one in our home. I did register for one though because it will come in handy when traveling and visiting my parents, who live 45 minutes away

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We live in a one story house and use the PnP in our bedroom for the baby to sleep in at night.
Once she is in her crib, we plan to use the PnP for grandma's house and other travel. It's worth it for us so far...

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I had a one story house up until a week ago.

In my experience I had a pack n play but never used it! I had no reason to. When the baby was little she napped elsewhere and when the baby was 5 months on she napped in her crib. I also had one at Grandma's but never used that one either.

Now that we are upstairs I will most definitley need and use one with the new baby!

eta; It is good for traveling but since I hate sleeping anywhere but my own bed- we only do long day trips for now!

Message edited 7/9/2009 11:30:58 AM.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

I have a one story house and I used my pack n play as a bassinet for the first 3 months.

I did take it with me almost everywhere we went during that first year. We went camping and it was in our tent =)
We took it to all our relatives. If it was getting late DC would sleep in it or take his afternoon naps in it.

At home I always kept it in my living room. Once DC became mobile the PNP was my saviour. I could bring in the groceries, go in the basement or take a shower and he was safe.

New sheets for my PNP is at the top of my list for this PG.

ETA: I agree with other posters about dogs. We have one but I was more concerned with my relatives animals who were not used to DC.

Message edited 7/9/2009 11:46:26 AM.

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

We have a dog (and a cat) so that's a good point too - keep the baby safe from the pets! OK - I think you ladies have me convinced - thanks!

Re: How Necessary is a Pack n Play in a one story house?

Not necessary at all.