Customer Reviews

Graco Pack 'n Play Little Hoot

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is my third baby and third P&P as well. Hands down my favorite. Simple, sturdy, attractive, easy to use. The colors are neutral; owls are cute. The bassinet is sturdy and comfortable. I like the diaper holder; very convenient.

Not using the mobile; I would have liked for it to go over the changing table but it has to go on the other end. This makes it a bit awkward to get the baby in between the changing table on one end and the mobile on the other. But no big deal; I don't mind not having a mobile.

We looked at a similar model with the newborn napper; it didn't look very sturdy and not much advantage over just the bassinet so we didn't get that one.

Also recommend:
1. P&P sheets in cream, khaki, or ducks egg blue. Grey or natural linen might also look nice if you can find them. I'm using the American Baby Company Organic Cotton Velour Pack N Play Sheet; it looks great. White, baby blue, or cotton candy pink will not look as nice with the colors of the P&P. If you must have pink I would use either a pale peach or a bold, bright magenta.

2. Something soft for the changing table. The waterproof material is handy to clean, but cold to the touch. I like the Kushies Deluxe Change Pad, Cream Polka Dots; it is the perfect size to fit this changing table, soft, and works well with the color scheme. I also have the Snoozy Organic Flannel Cotton Waterproof Multi Use Pad which is also a good fit and soft but not quite as attractive.

We used this adorable playyard for my son's first couple of months, to keep him in our room at night. Overall, it's a good item, and one I am still using more than I thought I would now that he's nearly 10 months old - it's perfect for popping in the trunk to take with us when we go visit friends & family. Not just overnight, but for naps as well. I really am using it quite a bit still, which I like and get a nice feeling of value from.

However... sadly, this playyard has not been without it's issues. As another review mentioned, our changing table sloped to the point of being unusable. The baby would just lean to the left side of it and was very uncomfortable and started screaming. I think we used it three times. I thought we bent it somehow with my giant boy (9.5 lbs!) but now that the newborn fog has lifted, I realize that's really not possible and that clearly it's a manufacturing defect. I will try contacting Graco to see about getting a replacement.

Secondly, the CUTE owl mobile broke the 2nd time I used it. My fault, surely, for wanting to wind it too tightly. But still, it's a pain, and I would have liked to gotten more use out of it before needing to replace it. I'm planning on ordering a replacement one from Graco for about $15, just need to get around to it (before they're discontinued, hopefully!)

Thirdly, the diaper stacker is far too flimsy. It's not reinforced at all, just a tube of fabric really. Definitely does not hold a wipe container, which is sad. It would probably contain a travel one I suppose, or if fully stocked with diapers a non-hard-sided package of wipes would probably work.

The last issue I had with this is really not Graco or the item's fault at ALL, but worth mentioning as an FYI: when we were at the hospital our cats jumped in and peed aaaaaaaallll over it. Their way of coping with the stress of us being gone & relatives coming to stay. My helpful family members took out the bassinet/floor mat (the only peed upon part) and hosed it off outside and then "washed" it in the bathtub with the shower sprayer and some tide. It seemed to be good as new, so I rebuffed their offers to order a replacement - why spend money when you don't have to? I wish I wouldn't have though. When it finally dried enough to use, several days later, it was completely warped. It needs replacing. I use it for now with my son, on the floor of the PnP (NOT as a bassinet, it was too warped)... but I will definitely replace it before the next baby. So if your cat ever sprays your bassinet, save yourself the time and trouble of trying to clean it and just get a new one!

Even after having all these issues, I still like it. :) Those owls make me smile. Wish I had gotten the coordinating travel system & high chair too!

EDITED TO ADD:

As I mentioned in my review, I intended to call Graco and inquire about the leaning diaper changer. I did so today... and WOW. I am BOWLED OVER by their customer service!

I phoned the 1-800 number that is on the back of my Pack 'n Play manual. I was promptly connected with a very helpful and patient rep. I explained that there had been an issue with the changer leaning since day 1, and that according to my research on the internet I might not be the only one with this problem. I then asked if there was anything to be done about fixing it.

She immediately offered to send me out the replacement parts to fix it, free of charge. (After mentioning that it seemed to be a common issue with some of this model - so Graco is keeping track of and is aware of the issue!) She also told me I could return it if I wanted to, or if the parts don't do the trick. I mentioned that I got it as a gift a year ago from Target and did not have the receipt, so a return was out of the question (Target has the WORST return policy!) She then blew my mind by telling me that Graco would let me return the entire Pack 'n Play, after being well used for a YEAR, to them, for a FULL REFUND.

In this day and age, it is RARE to find a company (especially such a huge, multinational one!) so willing to stand behind the products they sell and manufacture. To me this is a very important feature. I will definitely be giving the fine folks at Graco many more of my hard earned dollars in the future. They have won a customer for life with this service. When it comes to childrens products, safety, durability and standing behind your product is paramount. Bravo, Graco.

Then came the pièce de résistance; the rep asked if there was anything else she could help me with, and I told her that since they were being so awesome, *I* broke the mobile by winding it too tightly the 1st or 2nd time I used it, and could they help with that? WHY YES THEY COULD. She immediately offered to send me a replacement one, free of charge. After fully admitting that it was my fault it broke.

(I had a feeling I could have pressed the matter and asked for a replacement floor mat as well, but I didn't want to take advantage!)

Again, I am just amazed at this level of customer service. Truly amazed. Graco won a customer for life. I HIGHLY recommend this product, as well as any others you are in the market for!

This pack n play is cute, but that's the only thing I like about it! The changing area slants big time, baby always rolls! Also the mobile doesn't stay up no matter were you attach it. It droops & is not safe for baby. The wind mobile doesn't last long either. I am so disappointed with this product & I can't return it!

Overall this pack n play is working great for my 6 week old.

The only 'cons' that I've found thus far are that the diaper storage on the side is not study enough for a full-size container of wipes; and the changing area slopes a LOT (which makes changing the diaper harder since the baby slides into the crack).

After purchasing and noticing the sloping changing table from day 1 of use, I emailed graco regarding the sloping changing table and they are sending me replacement parts. Have not gotten them yet, so the problem is not resolved (yet?) for us. Did notice that others have had the same problem when I read the reviews on [...]

I selected this pack n play b/c my husband and I both loved the design. It worked well for us in our room when we first brought out son home from the hospital. However, it only took a week or so before the changing table started sagging, causing our baby to roll. That didn't bother me so much, b/c I never planned to use it as a changing table. What really disappoints me is that the mattress will not lie flat. Does anyone else have this problem? There is a big wrinkle in the middle, where the two center panels come together. My son never has slept well in the pack n play (except when he was very small and we also had him in a snuggle nest) and I wonder if it has anything to do with the hump? Now it's packed up and we never use it. I'm afraid he will not be able to sleep in it well when we travel. I haven't been brave enough to try yet.

I am a daycare provider and have used several different portable play yards in the last year. I found that I really like this Graco Pack n Play. Personally, I don't care for all the extras that are always included with these portable cribs. When my own children were younger, we did just fine without the bassinet and changing table pieces. In my opinion, simple is better, and it saves lots of storage space.
Since I do not use the bassinet attachment, I'm afraid I don't have any input as to how well that works. It appears to work just fine if you want that type of accessory. As far as the rest of the play yard is concerned, it seems a sturdy product and looks as though it will hold up under daily use.
The main thing I prefer about the Graco, as opposed to the Cosco I also currently use, is that the mattress has velcro straps that slide through slits in the crib floor and velcro under it. These straps keep the mattress stretched out and tight in the floor of the play yard. The Cosco I use does not have straps, so the mattress just buckles up and sometimes leaves a baby sliding over to the nylon flooring of the crib. To me, these velcro straps are a big deal and important feature.
Another thing I like about this play yard is that the rails snap up pretty solidly. The wheels are a nice feature. The play yard is very easy to assemble. The handle on the back of the mattress works just fine when the play yard is folded up for travel. The zipper case is nice for stuffing the sheet in and keeping everything together.
I would highly recommend this Pack n Play to anyone who is looking for a simple, sturdy portable crib.

We bought this travel bed, because we go back and forth between my parents house and our own a lot! This bed is great! We were not able to use the changing table that comes with it for very long, because we have a very big and heavy baby, but the bed alone is great! Its easy to put together and put up( sometimes it needs 2 people to do so though!) The design is very cute too! GREAT BUY:)

The changing table feature for this pack n play is not very good. My baby was 6 lb 12 oz and every time we changed her on the table it leaned sideways. We had to put a wad of burp clothes or clothes under her so she wouldn't roll to the side. It was difficult to change her on it. The owl mobile was cute but it only plays for about 30 seconds or so. You have to keep winding it continuously if you want it to keep playing. The mobile was pretty useless in my opinion. The bassinet was ok although it seemed to cave in a little in the center. I wouldn't recommend this pack n play.

This is a wonderful pack n play. For starters, I love the color scheme. Neutral browns, tans and light blues. It does not scream "baby" and blends in with our family room decor. It was easy to assemble unlike another Pack n Play I registered for and received. Others have complained about the changing table part and I've had no problems. Actually I've used it for brief moments (supervised of course!) as a "bassinet" when my baby was a tiny little thing as she really enjoyed "small cramped spaces" to sleep and nap (she was less than 5 pounds). I also haven't had any problems with the diaper/wipe holder -- except yes, the wipes box will sometimes fall out if almost empty. (Target wipes box did not work but our Huggies one does.) We use the bassinet right now as my baby was born at the end of January 2011 but will continue to use it as a Pack n Play as she grows. I'm very satisfied and happy with this product and would recommend to anyone who was looking for a PnP. The tune (Rockabye Baby) isn't even too annoying as other baby music toys are often times! The mobile has become a wonderful addition to the daily routine as of late -- baby loves and coos! My only little complaint is that I can't wind it up to play for longer. Wish it had a battery operation so that I could set it for 15 minutes! She doesn't really sleep to it -- she just looks at it mesmerized and cooing! But when it stops, well, she gets sometimes a little vocal!

We bought this before we went on a trip, and we absolutely love it and so did our son. Nothing on this pack and play was wobbly, it is spacious. Bottom line worth every penny. :D