Baby playpens are perhaps the most wonderful conventional pieces of equipment that parents can have. They are often called by different names; playpens, play yards, baby travel yards or portable play yards – they all mean the same thing, and most parents can’t imagine life without one.
Says Pam, the mother of twins, “My kids get into their play yards after their mid morning nap, and are happily lost in play for at least an hour. That one hour is the most precious time of the day for me.”
Most new parents find it difficult to select the right playpens for their little ones. Playpens come in an assortment of bright colors and lovely designs. So, there’s a lot to choose from. But, certain considerations will make the decision a lot easier to make.
Basically, most playpens are the same, with some unique features thrown in. They usually come in a standard rectangular size. They have a smooth center floor. The sides are meshed with top and bottom rails that can be locked or unlocked. The whole unit is collapsible, making it easy to reduce the contraption to a size that is convenient to store or carry.
Some important features:
Safety: Your little one’s safety is the #1 consideration when you buy your playpen. Your playpen MUST have the Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association (JPMA) logo. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) all work together to ensure quality products that adhere to strict safety standards.
Collapsibility: Most playpens can be folded completely into a long rectangular shape. This makes them easy for transport. Wheels at the bottom of the playpen also make it easy to move the playpen around the house.
Useful additional features: A bassinet is useful if you want to keep your newborn in the playpen. When the baby reaches about 12-15 pounds, you can detach the bassinet. A changing station is another great feature, especially when you have to travel. The changing station can be set up on the top of the playpen and used for changing diapers or clothing.
If you have a shaded spot in your house or intend to use the playpen only within the confines of your house, a canopy may not be of much use. But as this is rarely the case, you baby needs protection from sunlight when he’s outside the home. In such cases, a canopy is another great addition to the play yard.
Cleanability: Babies love to mess around. Sometimes, one can almost believe that the messier they are the happier they feel.
Detachable side mesh and removable sheets make it easy for you to clean the playpen.
Babies can safely be left in their playpens with their toys. Some babies spend hours together happily fiddling with their various toys within their playpen. However, here are some safety tips for parents when they place their precious little ones within the playpen:
Your baby may seem very happy and lost in his own world, but that’s not reason enough to leave him unattended in his playpen.
Parents sometimes inadvertently place dangerous articles, like extra padding, in their playpens. Your baby can easily climb out of his playpen or cause himself harm with such things.
Never leave sheets or articles of bedding in the playpen. These articles may become potentially hazardous for your baby.
Always lock the posts and rails before you gently place your baby inside the play yard.
Do not tie toys at the top as this poses a choking hazard.
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