How to Successfully Use a Pack-n-Play for PLAY

I successfully used a PNP for play from early on. Before she could sit up I would give her "tummy time" in the PNP if I needed her to be safe while I did some household chore. At first she would only be happy for short spurts of time. Over time, and as she learned to sit up, she would spend much longer periods in there on her own. This helped me a lot as I would keep her in the kitchen with me while I cooked, did dishes, etc. I put toys and books in there with her and played a CD (she likes music). She got used to it and is very comfortable in it even still (she is 15 months now and walking). My recommendation is to start them out early in the PNP - otherwise they might reject it later on if you wait to introduce it when they are older.

I started to use the PnP with my son a little bit each day so that way he knew that he wasn't in trouble. Then when he got a little bit older I would put some toys in it, put him in it and did some stuff real quick and when I got back I bring him out. So just start off a little at a time and tell her what you are doing. Even turn on some music. That always seemed to work for my son.

I always used the PnP with my first when I wanted to take a shower. Luckily our bathroom was big enough to accommodate one right next to the shower, which had glass doors. When your child can sit on her own and move around, it's a great little place to keep her safe. I would start putting her in it when she can sit up on her own for long periods of time. Otherwise you risk her getting frustrated or having to rescue her each time she falls out of position. Unless she really likes tummy time, in which case, go ahead and try for short periods of time. My child liked to play with toys for a little while, but we'd usually end up interacting through the shower door about half way through. When he was old enough to stand up, I'd give him a squeegee to 'clean' the shower door with. That was a big hit. As with a lot of things in parenting, I think it's important to have a routine. My child knew that when I needed to take a shower, it was time to play in the PnP. Maybe you could start the routine while making dinner or something else that happens almost every day. I think this will also make the transition easier. BTW... one of the exersaucer type toys also works well. And you can serve snacks on it too when she's older.

They are a perfect size for her to play in. Place some toys in the PnP , Also there are mirrors and pull toys you can buy that clip on the sides of it that will encourage her to tug at them etc.. Obviously don't leave her unattended with toys in a PnP or a crib at that age but they are great until babies learn to crawl !
J.
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The only way to know if YOUR child will like the pack-n-play is to put her in it with a couple of her favorite things. My daughter would sometimes cry but usually could entertain herself for quite a while. I always put the PnP where we could see each other. When she got older, we filled the PnP with plastic balls, you know the ones you see in ball pits at Indoor play places. You can buy them from Toys R Us, or i'm sure other toy places. She loved it!! She developed quite a throwing arm.
M

well youll never know unless you try it. what i would do is set it up and put her in it for like 10mins at a time while you are still in the room so she can see you. put a few of her favorite toys in with her. then if she is content and quiet leave the room for 5mins and see what happens. good luck! hope this is helpful!

I only used a pack and play for "play" with my first. It backfired bad!!! When ever we went to grandmas house for the weekend we would put him in the pack and play for sleeping and he would play! Plus he crawled and rolled MUCH later then any of my others because he was confined to a much smaller space. My suggestion is if he is 4 1/2 months old what about an exasaucer or walker? He can crawl around in the kitchen while you are doing dishes, follow you aroud while your vaccuming. Plus there is things for him to play with there. If he isn't crawling yet either just put a blanket down with the toys on it. I know this isn't what you were asking for, but it might work.

Most often we used our PnP for our little one to sleep in for naps while we were down stairs. I always felt it was too small for her to play in once she began to flip over and crawl. I started out by placing the baby on a blanket on the floor and soon she learn to crawl right off of that.

Its too small. I use two Superyard LX put together to form a safe play area. It's an investment at $60 each, but several people have bought them after seeing them at my house. As my children got older, I even used it as a three-sided perimeter around my family room, blocking the fireplace and TV from access, leaving a safe play area; to surround my Christmas tree; etc. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1762412

I highly recommend getting two, one is kind of small, but two is huge.

Have fun!

N.