Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Re: .0 "It is much quicker to set up than the Fisher Price portacrib."
    
    I don't have any experience with the Graco "Pack n Play" but we have a
    Fisher Price portacrib and love it.  I was surprised by your comment
    suggesting that it takes time to set it up - I can set it up and take
    it apart in less than a minute - without any problems what-so-ever. 
    And I'm not especially strong, or capable of working with complex
    directions.....just the average "mom".
    
    Anyways, I'm sure SOMEONE reading this notesfile will have the Graco
    brand and can help you determine if it's just yours that has a defect,
    or if the problem is prevalent in the model itself.
    
    Diana

    We have the Graco portacrib, and sometimes have trouble with the side
    also.  I find if you pull upwards on the side and let the feet come off
    the floor at the same time, this sort of lets the crib align itself
    better such that the sides catch.  It's not the best design, I agree. 

    I was wondering about which porta-crib to buy --the Graco or FP-- I had
    figured to buy the FP since I think it has a way to elevate the mattress 
    so that it can be used as a type of bassinette with a newborn?? Has
    anyone used this feature? 
    
    
    	Sandy  (these products weren't quite on the market with my first
    pregnancy 4 years ago!)

    We have one also and have really been happy with it, but I
    also had some problems before I got used to it..  2 things
    that you have to remember 
    
    - the middle piece must be up to a certain height before you
    can latch the sides (true both when putting it up and taking
    it down)
    
    - the sides must be latched before the ends (or vise versa)
    I know that the order is important.
    
    Hope this helps!

    I have a porta-crib called "The Commuter" which comes in a bag similar
    to a suit bag.  It's extremely easy to set up (just push the "floor"
    section and it snaps up) and truly portable.  You can sling it over
    your arm.  Not sure where it was purchased (it was a gift), but check
    around for it.  
    
    Sarah
    

    We have Evenflo's "Happy Camper", and it is a snap to put together
    and take apart.  We're very happy with it.
    
    Bo

    I second the Commuter (made by a company called Newborne).  We
    have an earlier model which we  ordered through the mail seven
    years ago, shortly before  Steven was born.  My sister-in-law's
    son used it after that, and now David.  
    
    It's lighter than either the FP or the Graco, better designed --
    nothing to catch, it just unfolds -- and I can set it up in 30
    seconds flat including getting it out of the bag.  The bag has a
    shoulder strap so it's very easy to carry, and the whole thing can
    be checked.  Ours has been to Hawaii, St. Maarten, Cancun, and 
    too many trips to Florida, besides being tossed in the back for
    innumerable car trips and used regularly at both babysitters. 
    
    --bonnie

    We have the Fisher Price and the Petrus Port-a-cribs.  The Petrus is
    similar to the Commuter, however the mattress in the Commuter is
    thicker and IMO more comfortable.
    
    The Fisher Price takes me awhile to set up, do I have something
    different?  To take the bars out and the wooden peices out and try to
    put everything back into the duffle bag takes me at least 15-20
    minutes.
    
    Cheryl

    Thank you for your suggestions.  We are always sure to latch the
    sides before the ends and lift the center up a bit when retrying
    to latch.  I guess you have confirmed my fears that it is a 
    design problem.  I really love my Graco too.
    
    We also have the F/P that we leave at daycare.  I have
    never set it up, but my husband says that it isn't as
    quick and easy as the Graco.
    
    Perhaps we'll return the Graco and get a "Commuter".
    Thank you for your suggestions!
    
	Linda

Another happy "Commuter" customer.  I highly recommend it.



Marty

    LINDA,
    
    I love my Graco!  I have been using it daily with the babysitter for 7
    months with no problems.  I believe yours may be defective, try another
    one.  (Oops, I did have a problem with the zipper once).
    
    Good luck in whatever you decide.

    A strong vote for Graco...
    
    We've had the Graco Pack & Play Regency for 11 months, and haven't had 
    any problems. We've flown with it to Florida & Chicago, in addition to 
    taking it with us on weekend trips. It's been used more as a bed than a
    playpen, and we couldn't be any happier with it. Average setup time,
    including removing it from the carry-bag, has been 30-40 seconds. (my
    personal best is 12 seconds...my wife timed me :^). A few weeks ago, we
    were visiting friends, who happen to have a Fisher-Price portacrib. We
    had a race, and I had the Graco set up and then packed up before he even 
    had the F/P assembled. 
    
    Freddie
    
    

    I've used my brother's Graco a few times and we had that problem
    each time.  My mother and I weren't sure if it was the play pen
    or just us since we didn't set it up very often.  I thought it
    was a pain.  Since we were putting Eric down for a nap, I think
    we just ended up letting one side droop a little.
    
    Donna
    

    We have the GRACO Pack-n-Play (wish we had the bigger one now, tho)
    and haven't had a problem with it.   We don't use it very often
    so maybe the latch mechanism deteriorates with use.   It is much,
    much better than the Fisher-Price we used a couple of summers ago
    in terms of ease of setup.   
    
    I have a question for other parents using the GRACO: do your kids
    sleep well overnight in these things?   I don't know if it's just
    because when we travel Jason is in the same room as us and we
    hear everything...but it seems like he tosses and turns all night
    long.   I bought an extra foam porta-crib mattress because the
    regular mattress made so much noise when he rolls over or turns
    which seems to have helped a bit.
    
    Carol

    I also have the Graco model and have found some difficulty setting
    it up and taking it down, but I know it's just me.  My husband and
    sitter have no problems at all with it.  In fact, my sitter thinks
    it's great.
    
    - Kathryn

    Well, I have tried to set up our Graco several times since
    I entered this note and there is definitely a problem with
    the one we have.  It's always one of the ends that won't
    go up.  We haven't been able to set it up since my husband
    discovered the problem.  
    
    I will be calling their toll free number ... maybe they'll
    send me the new bigger model in exchange for my smaller
    broken one? (wishful thinking)
    
    Linda

The key with the Graco is to click the sides into place before you 
push down the center.  We have had similar problems but have done fine
once we used this method.

    re: .14 (sleeping)
    
    We use the Graco primarily as a travel crib (as opposed to a playpen),
    and Nick has absolutely no trouble falling asleep in it (other than his
    normal reluctance in being put to bed...). Note, however, that this is
    the same boy who once stopped while crawling down the hallway and, without 
    warning, fell asleep immediately in the middle of the floor...:^). (I guess 
    when it's time to go, it's time to go!)  
    
    Freddie
    

    Another vote for Graco.....our daughter Anna is not almost
    9 months and sleeps in it every night.

    like others have said....latch the sides before pushing
    down on the center.  the center has to be almost a foot off
    the floor for the sides to latch properly.

    When something has an 800 number printed right on it to call
    for help, you know that can be tricky!
    bob

There are two types of FP: the old and the new.  Unfortunately, we have the
old one.  It requires assembly of various parts.  The new one, I believe,
is like Graco and other models that are just one part and have to be
unfolded (or some such).

We like our FP a lot, except would like the speed and ease of the new types.
However, it is very sturdy and very large, so works well for our 2 1/2
year old boy.  We have used it in motels and tents, and when the tent leaked
severely on his side, he never got wet because it held him so nicely above
the ground.

      Carol

    Hi Ellen,
    
    We have the Graco and it's really easy to set up.
    Much quicker than the F/P portacrib that we keep 
    at "daycare"
    
    I'd say go for the Graco.
    
    Linda
    

    I was given a Graco and a Fisher-Price for shower gifts. I exchanged
    the Fisher-Price and have had no regrets.

    I had read this conference and based my decision on what I had read.

    The Graco gets my vote!
    Norma

    I know one noter (.12) mentioned using their Graco when flying.  Has
    anyone had any problems with the airline guerillas doing damage to
    their Graco?  The legs seem very vulnerable to damage (when packed
    away) unless they are strong enough to withstand some punishment.
    
    The reason I'm asking, is that we will be flying in about a month and
    I have the old 20 minute set up Fisher Price and my less than a minute
    set up Graco.  I know the FP will stand up to travel because my sister
    has one which has many frequent flyer miles on it but I like the
    convenience of the Graco.
    
    WRT the original note, my husband use to have a problem setting ours up
    too, but once I told him that he didn't have the center pulled up high
    enough, he hasn't had a problem since.
    
    Thanks!
    
    Jane

re .24:  We have taken our Graco to New Zealand twice.  No problem.  We do
usually pack stuffed animals, blankets, etc. inside the case along with
the crib itself, so maybe this helps cushion the legs.  We don't do it for
that reason, though - usually we just run out of room in the suitcases!  :)

							cheryl

    RE:.24
    
    Jane, as the author of reply .12, I can say that I've had no problems
    with the way the Graco was handled, with the exception of how dirty the
    cover got from being on the various conveyers/carts at the airport. As
    Cheryl mentioned in her previous reply, we also pack the hollow between
    the legs with soft items, including the mattress pad that comes with
    the Pack-n-Play. I would think that the Graco would have to take a
    direct hit to the corner with a lot of force in order to incur much
    damage. (ex. being dropped from a decent height and landing exactly on 
    the corner) 
    
    Also IMHO, the ramp personnel seem to take extra care when dealing with
    baby items such as carriages and playpens.
    
    Freddie

    Thanks!  Looks like we'll take the Graco.
    
    I was kind of going by past experience with my suitcases, they are
    pretty battle weary and have the scars to show it!  Maybe its because
    they are American Touristers and the handlers know they'll take a
    beating.
      
    Now, if I can only figure out how to get the crib, the stroller, the
    skis, boots, suitcases, etc to and from the airport, I'll be all set!
    ;-)
    
    
    Jane

Most of you seem very happy with Graco Pack-n-play porta-cribs...however,
my question is which one?  In my search for Porta-cribs I found that Graco
makes at least 3 different models:

Graco Pack-n-Play
Graco Pack-n-Play Regent
Graco Pack-n-Play Sport

Does anyone know the differences, and/or can you give me recommendations?

Thanks.  This is my first baby and I know nothing about what to look for in
this type of equipment.

Susan Bartow

    Hmmm, I would assume that these different "models" of the Graco Pack 'n
    Play are basically the same except for different cosmetic features,
    like the type of fabric used, etc.  They probably all have the same
    construction and method of setting them up, which I think is what
    everyone is happy with (me included).
    

    
    I think the differences are :
    
    Graco Pack-n-Play............Mesh on "2" sides only 
    Graco Pack-n-Play Regent.....Mesh on "4" sides (easier to see baby)
    Graco Pack-n-Play Sport......Mesh on "4" sides with canvas "curtains"
    				 that can be pulled down or tied up.
    
    And of course the colors...
    
    There may be more differences that I don't know of though...
    
    Anyone??
    
    Chris
    
    PS...We have the basic model
    

    We have the Regent model.  I think the sides are a little longer/wider
    than the basic Pack-n-Play.  It may be a little deeper also.  I seem to
    remember buying the Regent because it was bigger, and I thought I'd
    be able to use it longer. 
    
    marianne
    

    We just bought the Regent Pack 'n Play this weekend.
    
    What we noticed was that the regular Pack 'n Play is smaller than the
    Regent and the Sport (this was with all 3 side by side) but the Regent
    and the Sport are the same size.  The pad cover for the regular PnP was 
    plastic/vinyl versus quilted cloth for both the Regent and the Sport. 
    The regular PnP has mesh on 2 sides only, the Regent and the Sport have
    mesh on all 4 sides.
    
    The difference between the Regent and the Sport is that the Sport has
    curtains which can be rolled up and down (may be good if you're at the
    beach and the wind blows sand into the crib.).  The Sport has a storage
    pocket and a mesh cover for the top of the crib.
    
    Susan

    We, too, chose the Regent model over the basic model because of it's 
    extra size plus the fact that it had mesh on all 4 sides as opposed to
    just 2 on the basic model. As an earleier reply pointed out, there is
    now another version, called the 'Sport', that is the about the same 
    size as the Regent and has mesh on all sides, *plus* has 'curtains' 
    that can be lowered over the outside of the mesh to block drafts and 
    reduce light, as well as a hanging pouch on one (out)side in which to
    store bottles, small toys, etc... BTW, the Sport comes in 'hot' colors 
    (Hot pink/blue/teal(?)), while the Regent comes in Teal w/Grey trim.
    
    FWIW, in some recent circulars, saw both the Sport and the Regent
    advertised at different stores for approx $99/ea. (Basic model can be
    had for approx $70-$80, if I recall.) Can't remember the  particular
    stors, but could have been Serv.Merchandise, Lechmere's or even
    Caldors. I can verify tonight if you're interested.
    
    Freddie

    Before buying, consider another opinion on the mesh sides.  Last summer
    I used a porta-crib with 2 mesh, and 2 solid fabric sides.  It was
    convenient to turn the solid side toward the open room door, so the
    baby could not see us walking in the hall.  If all sides were mesh, I
    would have had to close the room door.  My daughter won't sleep if she
    sees us walking around.
    
    Of course, once the child can pull up to standing, all bets are off. 
    Even a small child can peek over the top rail of the crib.
    
    Laura

We have 2 Regents (one for each twin).  We bought that
version because it is bigger than the regular one (the
regular version will fit inside the Regent), and are
we glad we went that route!  Jessica likes to roam around
in her crib and likes to sleep sideways.  We had her
in a friend's regular pack-and-play when she was around
4 or 5 months old, and she hated it because she couldn't
turn around and sleep sideways in it.  I like having
mesh on all 4 sides because I can see the babies to  see
when they wake up.  A friend has the sport version with the
sides that roll down and says they always leave the sides
up anyhow so they can see inside.  I find that more light
gets in through the top anyhow, so we sometimes put a 
blanket partially over the top to block out some of the 
light, but we usually don't bother.  

We are very glad we got the porta-cribs as my kids sleep
and play in them during the day, and only sleep in their
cribs at night.