Which Playards Can Be Used as Bedside Sleepers?

On this page (7 sections)

1. Which playards work as bedside sleepers?
2. Is a bedside bassinet attachment enough?
3. How do you choose a bedside sleeper pack n play?
4. Which products fit these different needs?
5. Can you make an ordinary playard a bedside sleeper?
6. How do bedside sleepers differ from toddler beds?
7. How can you decide which type to buy?

Only a playard designed for bedside mode can be used as a bedside sleeper. A standard playard or a bassinet attachment inside one does not become a bedside sleeper just because it sits near your bed.

Look for a unit with a side that opens or lowers in its approved bedside configuration, plus a way to secure it to the adult bed. Start with [what is a bedside sleeper?

Here’s the simple answer](/what-is-a-bedside-sleeper/) if you want the basic definition before comparing models.

Which playards work as bedside sleepers?

A playard works as a bedside sleeper only when its design and instructions specifically allow bedside use. Check for a lowering side, a height adjustment that fits your bed, and a secure attachment method.

The phrase “pack n play bedside sleeper” can describe different things. Some products are bedside sleepers that also convert into a playard, while others are ordinary playards with a raised bassinet attachment.

The second type may still be useful, but the attachment alone does not mean it can sit open beside an adult bed.

The KoolerThings 3 in 1 Baby Bassinet is the clearest match here for someone looking for one unit with both bedside sleeper and playpen modes. It has a zip-down side for bedside use, five height settings and built-in wheels with brakes.

Check the instructions for the exact configuration before using any convertible product beside your bed. Make sure the sleep surface is level and the unit is secured as directed.

For a broader look at playard types and features, see our playard buying guide.

Is a bedside bassinet attachment enough?

A raised bassinet attachment is not enough by itself. It needs an approved bedside mode that lets the unit sit securely beside the adult bed.

An attachment may lift a baby’s sleep surface above the playard floor while keeping the sides enclosed. That can make it easier to reach the baby inside the playard, but it does not necessarily let you lower a side or attach the sleep space to your bed.

Before choosing, check the model’s instructions for these details:

• Does it name bedside use as an approved mode?
• Does a side open or lower in that mode?
• Does the unit include a strap, anchor or other specified way to secure it to the adult bed?
• Can you adjust it to the height of your bed?
• Are there limits on the baby’s age, weight or development?

If you cannot confirm bedside use in the instructions, treat the product as a standalone playard or bassinet attachment. You can compare the difference between these terms in is a co-sleeper the same as a bedside sleeper?.

How do you choose a bedside sleeper pack n play?

Choose a bedside sleeper pack n play by checking its approved modes, attachment method and height range against your bed. A product with several modes is useful only if each mode suits the way you plan to use it.

What makes a bedside sleeper pack n play different?

A bedside sleeper pack n play has a specific bedside configuration, rather than only a bassinet set inside the playard. That configuration should be described in the product instructions, including how to secure the unit and when to open its side.

A model may also convert to a standalone bassinet or playpen. These are separate modes, so switch between them only as the instructions describe.

Avoid improvised changes such as removing a side or fastening the frame to the bed with household straps.

How should the height fit your bed?

The bedside sleep surface should be positioned according to the model’s instructions and fit your adult bed as directed. Compare the product’s height settings with your bed, including its mattress and frame.

Don't assume that two beds with the same mattress height will work the same way. Bed frames, headboards and nearby furniture can affect how a bedside unit fits.

For details on securing one, read how does a bedside sleeper attach to the bed?.

Do wheels make bedside use easier?

Wheels can help you move a unit between rooms, but they do not replace the bedside attachment method. If you want to move a sleeper around the room, compare best bedside sleeper with wheels and check whether its instructions say to lock the wheels during bedside use.

Which products fit these different needs?

The three products below serve different purposes: one is a rocking bassinet, one is a dedicated bedside sleeper, and one combines bedside sleeper and playpen modes. Only the KoolerThings option is described here as having both bedside sleeper and playpen modes.

The Delta Children Portable Rocking Bassinet for Newborns is a standalone bassinet, not a playard or bedside sleeper. It can rock when its retractable wheels are up, and it has a music, vibration and nightlight module.

Its stated use is through 5 months or until the infant begins pushing up on hands and knees, whichever comes first.

The Baby Delight Beside Me Dreamer Bassinet is designed for bedside sleeper mode as well as standalone bassinet use. Its side panel unzips in bedside mode, and attached straps secure it to the adult bed.

It adjusts to six height positions and is intended for use up to 20 lb or 5 months.

The KoolerThings 3 in 1 Baby Bassinet combines standalone bassinet, bedside sleeper and playpen modes. It folds for travel, and its built-in wheels have brakes.

Check the product’s instructions to confirm its approved setup and limits for each mode.

A playpen mode can be useful when you want a contained place for play, but it is not the same as a sleep mode. Use only the modes and configurations the manufacturer describes.

Can you make an ordinary playard a bedside sleeper?

No. Don't cut, remove or lower a playard side, or attach the frame to your bed with improvised ties, to create a bedside sleeper.

A product designed for bedside use has a stated setup and attachment method. Changing a standard playard can make its structure unstable or leave an opening that the design did not account for.

If the model’s instructions do not include bedside mode, use it only in its approved configurations.

A separate bassinet accessory also needs its own instructions. Confirm which playard models it fits and whether it is intended for bedside use before relying on it near the adult bed.

How do bedside sleepers differ from toddler beds?

Bedside sleepers are intended for babies who fit the maker’s limits, while toddlers need a different sleep setup as they grow. Check the age, weight and developmental limits for the specific model, then see can you use a bedside sleeper for a toddler? for the next step.

Don't continue using a sleeper once your baby reaches its stated limit or begins a movement that the instructions say ends use. A playpen mode does not automatically extend the approved sleep age or weight.

How can you decide which type to buy?

Pick a dedicated bedside sleeper if you want a side that opens and a stated way to secure the unit to your adult bed. Pick a convertible option like the KoolerThings if you also need a playpen mode, and choose a standalone bassinet if you only want a separate sleep space near your bed.

Before buying, match the unit’s height range and attachment method to your bed, then read the instructions for each mode and its use limits. For the broader category, start with [what is a bedside sleeper?

Here’s the simple answer](/what-is-a-bedside-sleeper/).

Frequently asked questions

Can any pack n play be used as a bedside sleeper?

No. A standard playard is a separate sleep or play space, and an ordinary bassinet attachment does not create bedside mode.

Choose a model specifically designed to sit beside an adult bed, with a lowering side and a way to secure it.

Follow its instructions for setup and use.

Can you lower one side of a playard to make a bedside sleeper?

Don't modify a playard or lower a side unless the model's instructions describe that setup. A bedside sleeper needs a design intended for that use, including a secure connection to the adult bed.

Use the product only in its approved configurations.

Is a bassinet attachment the same as a bedside sleeper?

No. A bassinet attachment can raise a sleep surface inside a playard, but that alone doesn't mean the side opens or that the unit secures to an adult bed.

Check the exact model's approved modes and instructions before treating it as a bedside sleeper.

What should I check before using a bedside sleeper?

Check that the model is designed for bedside use, attaches securely to your adult bed, and is adjusted according to its instructions. Make sure the sleep surface and side are configured as directed, and stop using it when the maker's limits or your baby's development require you to.