Safely Using A Pack ‘n Play

The sides are made of airy mesh, so baby won’t get too hot . Buy a new playard.If you’re looking for a used model, think carefully aboutplay safety. Older playards had non-locking rails that could collapse at the hinges, forming a deep V-shaped space that put babies at risk of entrapment and strangulation. So make playard safety a priority, and skip that garage-sale bargain. You probably hung out in a playard when you were a babe — though they were known as playpens then.

It’s not just lightweight; it has some great functionality too. It can be used initially as a bassinet and then, as baby grows, it converts into a mini-crib / playard for infants up to 35 lbs. In our survey, this playard gained a whopping 86% satisfaction score and 64% would recommend it to a friend or relative. Of those that wouldn’t buy again, their biggest complaint was the comfortableness of the mattress. This could be overcome by buying an extra mattress – but this does unfortunately make it less portable, so kind of defeats the purpose.

The Pack ‘n Play is all about instant access to the things you need—and the flexibility to remove the things you don’t. Personally, I felt it was a bit cramped to use the changer and storage unit, so I tended not to use those items as much. But the Newborn Napper was the best, and the most surprising element of the system. Lucy loved it and I knew when I put her down in it, she was going to get at least three hours of sleep. She even had a rough time transitioning to her crib when she hit the 15-pound mark and outgrew the Napper, and I think it’s because it was so soft and cozy. The brilliance of the Pack ‘n Play is you can figure out what works and what doesn’t for both you and your infant and customize accordingly.

We then looked to score as many “nice to have” features as possible. The Regalo My Play Portable Play Yard is made with a steel frame and reinforced stitching. Designed with a simple fold and go design, it meets all safety standards graco jogging stroller and includes a safety-lock feature. The 48” x 1” x 26” pack n play can accommodate children up to 2 years old or 75 pounds. This toddlers play yard is water resistant, so you can take it on your beach vacation with no problem.

graco pack n play

They come with or without bassinets and rarely include many accessories and attachments. The parents we spoke to say they love using these playpens when they’re out and about — to the beach, to the park, to grandmas — as well as at home. When you’re on the go, these stripped-down models are perfect because they’re lightweight and simple. The smaller ones are less expensive ($100 or less), while the roomier versions can top out at nearly $200. While some parents swear by their play yards, others think they are simple and easy way to get out of parenting.

But for travel or naps on the go it is a perfect solution. The truth is, using a pack and play can make sure everyone is safe…so you can be alone for a minute. If we have impromptu visits and the baby gets tired, there’s a place to sleep. This is more versatile than graco travel system a crib which is not easily broken down or put up. Now, if you’re going down to the beach for an hour or two bringing a pack and play along isn’t worth the hassle, in my opinion. Sometimes… someone comes to the door, you get a phone call, or need to cook dinner.

The walls are made of a ventilated mesh and the bottom is made of nylon so they can both be hand washed and wiped down when they need to be cleaned. No matter where you’re traveling, you’ll graco jogging stroller be excited to throw the Regalo My Play Portable Play Yard carrying case over your shoulder and jet off to your next destination. Never let your child sleep in a playard that’s full of toys.

This is definitely a feature you should look for if you have a baby you’re not comfortable putting sunscreen on yet. This extra-large portable playardfrom Summer Infant works just as well outdoors as it does in your house. The playard comes with a removable canopy that provides UPF 50 protection to keep your little one safe from the sun’s rays.

Do not let your baby sleep in a “napper” even if you are supervising. It’s also relatively easy to pop open and set up the playard—the first time I tried it I did it solo as Lucy watched from her stroller. Just make sure all four rails latch together and are rigid before pressing and lowering down the center of the floor or you’re going to have trouble getting it to open.

The playard weighs a little less than 30 pounds and has two wheels to make it easy to move, plus a travel bag to make it easier to carry. If you have twins or you want a pack n play that can hold multiple babies, the Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard is a great option. Even the most experienced parents sometimes need help navigating through all of the options for baby products.