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Playard Buying Guides
Known as playpens in the last generation, playards  are a convenient way to give your baby room to play safely, without giving him or her full reign of the house. You'll feel safe while your baby plays or sleeps in this easy-to-carry and comfortable item. Most playards are easy to collapse and set up making them ideal to bring on trips as a replacement for a crib. Playards also come in handy when visiting friends who don't have baby-proofed houses. They come in various shapes, colors and styles -- you'll definitely find one that suits your needs! For more detailed useful information on this and other baby items check out Baby Center's "essentials" page.
Safety
As always, safety comes first. Do your research to make sure you are buying the right piece of equipment for your child. If you're planning on buying a playard online, check out specific models in stores first. That way, you'll know that you're getting exactly what you want. Here's what to check for: - Sturdiness -- Give the playard a shake to get a sense for how strong it is. It should feel well-constructed. Listen for loose parts and strange rattling noises.
- Mesh Sides -- The sides should be made of tightly woven mesh to avoid small fingers or clothing getting caught.
- Wheel locks -- Prevent the playards from shifting when the baby begins to become more active and energetic.
- All-Around Safety
- Make sure there aren't any sharp edges or corners with wires poking through the cloth.
- Always keep an eye on your baby. Even in an environment as safe as a playard, there can always be unseen choking or suffocation hazards.
- Avoid placing too many objects that can be stacked in the playard. Your baby will all too soon figure out how to climb out!
- Steer clear of loose bedding, hanging strings, or anything else that could be a suffocation hazard to your little one.
What to Look For
With all the buying options available, how do you know where to start? Go through this checklist to make sure all the essential features are covered. - Roominess -- Your child should have plenty of room to play or sleep without feeling cramped.
- Lightweight -- This is a must for easy transportation. Under 15 pounds is ideal.
- Easy to Maintain -- This means a quick and easy clean. As mentioned before, mesh sides are best. A mattress pad with removable, washable sheets will also make cleaning easier.
- Portability -- For mobility, your playard should be foldable and lightweight, with attached wheels. Many playards come with storage bags and shoulder straps for ease of carrying.
- Weight Limits -- To make the most of your playard, find one that will support larger weights. You don't want to have to buy a new one as your baby grows.
- Comfort -- If you are intending to let your baby nap in the playard, read up on reviews about mattress comfort.
Additional Features
Bottom Line?
A good playard can cost you anywhere between $50 and $150.
Top Brands
Another item to consider:
Once your child outgrows the playard, you may want to consider a superyard.
Pros: - These gates allow you to designate a certain portion of a room towards play and exploration.
- Generally, these baby gates will provide children with a larger play area than a traditional playard.
- Good for older children or multiple children.
Cons:
- They are not designed for travel or for napping.
- Not ideal for small babies.
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