Babies have this cute little way of going from largely immobile to digging into everything in an impossibly short time. Nursery playards, or as they used to be called, playpens, can help you keep your baby or toddler safe while fencing in their rapidly spreading baby mess.
Play On, Playard
A really good playard can act as a mini-nursery, including a changing station, bassinet, storage for toys and even a mobile along with the playpen body. This, plus their portable nature, make them ideal for grandparents or frequent babysitters, who may not have their own baby furniture on hand. Multiple item playards can also make family holidays or impromptu trips to the office a lot more bearable.
What do you need to look for in a playard? Like all baby furniture, safety is the most important feature. Below are some playard safety tips:
* Always check for gaps in the sides the baby could roll into. They're a suffocation hazard.
* Examine the playard each time before use. All it takes is one poor setup for your child's clothes to snag on a newly exposed bit of the playard's structure.
* Never leave a baby alone in a playard. Playards are more like free-range cages than cribs.
* Do not over-stuff a playard with toys. Again, we have a suffocation hazard for babies.
* Try to find a mattress that is comfortable but firm. Too soft, and well, once again we have a suffocation hazard during nap time.
* Mesh sides are your friend. Very few playards have bars making up the sides, but if they do, be sure to line them so the baby can't get caught between them.
* Mesh can also help shade your baby and keep insects out if you want to use the playard in the yard or in a park. Look for canopies to help with this as well.
* Be sure your child does not exceed the playard's weight limit.
