Pack N Play
A pack n play is a kind of a crib or a play yard. It can be used by a baby through from birth as an easy and portable place for baby to sleep in or play in.
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A sheet is a fabric that is put as a layer just beneath the blankets and also it covers the mattress.
A pack n play is used a lot by parents since it is portable and it can also be used as a play yard.
Many parents who are using the pack n play for the first time ask this question whether they need sheets for pack n play.
There are several factors that will guide us through the decisions we make.
Let us find out why we may or may not need sheets for a pack n play.
Reasons why sheets are needed for a pack n play
For mattress protection
It is important to get a couple of sheets to cover the pack n play mattress so as to save yourself the hustle of scrubbing the mattress of stains.
Babies get diaper blowouts and drool and even spit-up.
If the baby is in the pack n play, then these actions may stain a mattress.
This is why sheets are important in a pack n play.
The sheets will catch and hold most of the dirt and you can replace the dirty sheet with a clean one.
The mattress could really get messy if it does not have a removable cover.
You however might want to put a water proof pad underneath the sheet so as to make sure the mattress is free from leaks.
Placing a sheet on the pack n play mattress pad helps keep the mattress last longer. Sheets are easy to clean up than mattresses.
When baby makes a mess on the mattress you will have to wash it and dry it so as to ensure its clean enough for the baby to sleep in.
Washing the mattress causes the mattress to wear and tear faster.
The mattress needs to be dry and clean hence the main reason why one needs a sheet in a pack n play.
Cleaning is easier
If the baby makes a mess like if he pees or vomits while he is in the pack n play, then sheets are more manageable to clean than a bare mattress.
Sheets are also quicker to dry up than a mattress.
The baby needs a clean environment to play in and even sleep in.
Sheets in a pack n play a huge role since if they get dirty you can remove them and wash off the stains and even the smells from the mess.
If the mattress is left without a sheet and the baby pees on it, you will need to take the mattress out to dry and wash off the stain which may take longer time to dry than a sheet would.
They are soft and warm
Sheets have a soothing feeling.
They are warm and soft.
They are made from cotton which is made for the baby to enjoy her sleep.
They give a cozy feeling for the baby to sleep in comfort.
Sheets are warm hence babies feel warmer and comfortable sleeping on a sheet than on a mattress pad.
For baby’s comfort
Many parents have noted that placing a sheet on the mattress pad gives the baby comfort while sleeping.
There several parents that have noted that before they started using sheets the baby used to wake up several times during the night.
They noted that the pad that comes with the pack n play is a bit too hard for the baby to lie on without the sheet.
The pad also makes noises as the baby turns which distracts the baby’s sleep.
Placing a sheet on the mattress pad on the pack n play reduces the noises that come from it and the baby sleeps more comfortably and for a longer period.
Faster option
Sheets are a safer and faster option to place in the pack n play.
When you have a water proof pad and sheets in the pack n play its better and faster to clean up messes.
During the night if the baby messes up its faster to change the sheets to clean ones.
If you take a scenario where the baby is sleeping on the mattress pad only, then he makes the mess during the night.
It is going to be hard to handle the pack n play during the night hence making sheets more manageable.
The reason to discourage sheets in a pack n play.
In as much as sheets are recommended in the pack n play it is our duty to look at both sides of the situation.
The sheets in a pack n play pose a risk of suffocating or even strangling the baby during sleep.
When the baby turns while asleep the sheet may be a risk to them.
Many parents and guardians may opt for the safety of their babies first.
Sheets hold very many advantages but if the baby is not safe of course you cannot put your easy first before the baby’s safety.
Conclusion
Sheets are very necessary in the pack n play however; the baby needs to be safe.
There are sheets that are designed in such a way they are fitting to the pack n play.
These are the ideal sheets for the baby’s pack n play.
They are fitted with an adjustable strap that ensure the baby’s sheet stay secure even if he or she pulls it while sleeping it will not cause any harm.
If you are planning to use the pack n play in future, then you’d rather use a sheet to make sure the mattress is protected.
We would also encourage you to put a water proof pad underneath your sheet for easy clean up, having in mind you would want to use the pack n play in future.
Above all these reasons the baby’s environment should always be clean and with a comfortable smell for the baby’s comfort while she sleeps.
Clean sheets give a cozy environment for the baby to play in as well as sleep in.
Keep in mind to change the sheets often for baby’s comfort.