Having a pack n play can be a lifesaver for parents. It is a perfect tool for parents to let their little ones play when they are busy working at home. The best thing about portable pack and play is that you can take them anywhere you want.
They offer a safe place for your baby to play and can also be a great option for sleep at home as well as on the go.
Pack and play are used by both infants and toddlers. Even though they spend lots of time in pack and play cribs playing and making the best out of their time, they can fall asleep carefree regarding the world surrounding them.
But, how comfortable are pack and play? Can you add a mattress to play n play? These are questions that bother many parents.
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Can you add a mattress to pack n play?
No, you can’t add a mattress to pack and play. The mattress that came with the pack and play was safety tested with them as a unit. Changing the pack and play mattress is similar to replacing something safe with untested and unsafe. For a pack and play to pass federal safety standards, the mattress and the structure should be tested together as a unit. It is recommended to avoid adding a mattress to pack and play as it can pose a risk of suffocation and other hazards in kids. However, there are special mattresses and toppers suitable for pack and play that fulfills the safety guidelines. You should ensure the type of mattress before adding it to pack and play.
Why are pack and play mattresses so thin?
Pack and play come with no actual mattress and have only a flat area where the baby can play and rest. Pack and play mattresses are considerably thinner than crib mattresses for a very important reason i.e. to lower the risk of suffocation for your baby.
Unlike cribs, the “pack and play” have flexible sides. That is why the pack and play pad or mattress is specially created to avoid suffocation.
The “pack and play” mattress has a solid base, a specific width, length, and less than one-inch thickness to meet safety standards.
If the mattress inside the pack and play is too thick or soft, a baby can become wedged between the wall and mattress of the pack and play.
Many brands also advise parents to avoid adding extra mattresses to their pack and play even if they are suitable for such types of cribs. They state that using an additional mattress to the pack and play can cause a health and safety hazard.
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Do I need a separate pack and play mattress?
For many parents, the problem is the mattress pad that comes with pack and play. They are usually hard, thin, firm, and uncomfortable for babies and toddlers to sleep.
So, you can get an additional specially designed pack and play mattress to make the sleeping area more comfortable for your baby.
It is highly advised to ensure the safety guidelines when choosing the mattress for pack and play.
Is it safe to add a mattress topper to a pack and play?
No. It is never safe to add a mattress topper to a pack and play. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that “mattress toppers that are created to make the sleep surface softer should not be used for babies younger than 1-year-old.
Soft mattresses can create an indentation or pocket and enhance the likelihood of suffocation or rebreathing if the infant roll over or is placed in the prone area.
So, you should not use a mattress topper to pack and play as it is not safe for your baby.
Safety of pack and play mattress
The foremost important thing is to ensure that your little one is safe. Adding a separate mattress that doesn’t fit correctly into the pack and play is not safe for your baby.
You can add the mattress to your pack and play only if it follows essential guidelines.
The most important condition is to choose the right size mattress for your pack and play. The mattress should fit perfectly inside the pack and play.
Uneven fit and gaps can lead to the risk of suffocation. Any gaps must be less than a finger’s width. You can’t add a crib mattress to the pack and play as it will probably not fit perfectly.
Also, ensure that the mattress you are adding is breathable. A mattress with good ventilation and efficient airflow will keep your bed bacteria-free and help keep your baby dry. I
f you want to add a crib sheet or mattress protector, ensure that they are also breathable.
Your baby should also be of appropriate age to safely use the pack and play. The recommended age for using the pack and play is 6 to 8 months. Babies at this age require a firm place to rest.
Mattresses that are very soft and don’t offer enough support can pose a higher risk of Sudden infant death.
Ensure that you follow all these instructions before changing the mattress to ensure your baby has a healthy and safe environment to rest and play in pack and play crib.
Conclusion
Each parent wants their baby to have a comfortable sleep in their pack and play. That’s why they frequently ask the question “Can you add a mattress to pack n play?”
You should be very careful as there are many unsafe and untested mattresses available on the market.
Do not put your child at risk while trying to make their “pack and play” comfortable with a mattress. Reading this article, you must have got the reason behind not buying a supplementary pack and play mattress.
It is all about the safety of your baby that you can never compromise.
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