Parent's Guide to Playards: Does My Baby Need One?

Play pens have come a long way. Such a long way that they are rarely even referred to as play pens anymore. The new name for these enclosed play areas is now playards. Playards have become more than just safe play areas for tiny tots, they have become multi-combination units. There are a variety of playards available these days, all with different features and various functions. Knowing the difference between them all will help you when the time comes to deciding on which one is the best for you and your child.

Many of today’s playards come with removable changing tables. This can make the playard more of a treasured commodity until your baby is old enough to play in the main play area. You can place the playard in a common area in the home where you can use it frequently, and be able to easily and conveniently change your baby without having to go to the nursery or up and down stairs. Changing tables normally come standard with child safety straps so that you can secure your baby while changing, just as you would with a normal changing table.

Pockets for organizing diaper changing necessities such as diapers, wipes and creams are also a common feature. This is wonderful because you can have everything you need to change baby right at your fingertips. You can also store extra changes of clothes for baby there as well.

With some playards, you may have a small bassinet that can be removed. Most of these bassinets will only accommodate your baby up until he weighs 15 lbs, but he will certainly get great use out of it until then. In most cases, you will find a playard with play toys or even removable mobiles to provide your child with something fun and colorful to enjoy while on the changing table or lounging in the bassinet.

If you like the vibration options and gentle soothing music that regular bassinets have to offer, you will be pleasantly pleased to find out that several model playards offer these same features as well! Your little one can enjoy a colorful light display while being gently vibrated into a sweet slumber with soothing music.