A play yard can be a convenient and versatile addition to your baby gear. When it comes to baby activity gear, a play yard can be the helping hand you need when you need it most. Unfortunately, you can't always hold your baby or keep your baby occupied; sometimes you need both hands and both eyes to get something else done when there is no one else around to help supervise your baby. This is when a play yard can really help you out. A play yard provides you and your baby with a safe, enclosed space for your baby to play. This play yard buying guide will help you figure out how to buy the play yard that will best meet your needs.
While baby proofing your home is one of the most important things you can do to protect your baby from harm, it cannot replace parental supervision. But what about those times when, despite the fact that your home has been thoroughly baby-proofed, you are unable to watch over your baby for a few minutes and no one else is around? Maybe you need to hurry into the kitchen and take something out of the oven. Maybe you have multiple children and you have to put down the baby to feed or change the toddler. If you have a playard, you can leave the room for those few minutes and rest assured that your baby will be safe and entertained while you are in the other room.
What about those times when you take your baby over to someone else's house where you are concerned or unsure about the level of safety in their home? With a portable playard, you won't have to worry. A playard can also be an added convenience for your home if the nursery is up or downstairs from the main living area and you need to quickly change a diaper or if it's time to put your baby down for a nap but you'd rather keep him or her nearby rather than tune-in on the baby monitor. Many playards come with a changing station and bassinet for exactly these situations. For all of these reasons, a playard can be a helping hand for any busy parent.
Bassinets, diaper changing stations, toys and music: Many play yards come with convenient features like bassinets, diaper-changing stations, toys and music. A bassinet or diaper-changing station typically attaches to the top rails of the play yard and lays across at waist height for easy access. The bassinet and changing station are removable, so your baby can play inside the play yard when you are not using the other features.
Toys and music are useful for keeping your baby entertained and content, but if the play yard you choose doesn't come with toys or music, you can always add your own. Many play yards have pockets and organizers for toys, books, diapers or a change of clothes. Just make sure the pouches, pockets or organizers are on the outside of the play yard where your baby can't reach them.
Portability: If you plan on moving your play yard from room to room, from inside the house to outside in the yard or taking it with you to grandma's house or on vacation, you will want a lightweight and portable play yard with swiveling, lockable wheels as well as a compact carrying case. Even if you're buying your play yard online, it?s a good idea to go to a baby gear store and try out the play yards for ease of use. Try folding and unfolding it, moving it around on its wheels and lifting it to make sure it's easy for you to use and light enough for you to lift and maneuver.
Mattresses: Play yard mattresses are more of a floor mat than a soft, cozy mattress and should not be more than about 1 inch thick. The floor mat should fit snuggly in the bottom of the play yard, and there should be no room between the mesh or fabric walls and the floor where your baby could become stuck or suffocate. The safest floor mats are the ones with Velcro attachments that thread through the bottom or sides of the play yard and attach outside the play yard where your baby cannot undo them. That way, your baby cannot lift up the mat and be stuck or trapped underneath. You should avoid play yards with floor mats that do not fit tightly or are attached with the Velcro inside the play yard or underneath the mat.
Suffocation hazards: Play yard mattresses are thin and firm in order to minimize the risk of suffocation. The safest place for your baby to sleep at night is a crib, but if you do use your play yard as a place for your baby to sleep over night, do not pad it with a mattress or any other kind of soft blankets, bedding or large stuffed animals. Those things are suffocation hazards. Instead, dress your baby in warm layers before putting him or her down for the night in the play yard.
Proper use: Many accidents can be avoided by knowing how to properly use your activity gear. If your play yard comes with a bassinet and/or elevated changing table attachment, never put your baby in the play yard without removing the attachments and leaving them off while your baby is in the play yard. Pay attention to the size and weight limits of your play yard and discontinue using your play yard, bassinet and changing table once your baby has outgrown the size and weight limits or begins climbing out of the play yard.
Wheels and sturdy construction: If the play yard you choose has wheels, make sure the wheels have a locking mechanism, especially if you have wood floors or older children who might try to take the baby for a ride. It's also important to make sure the play yard you buy is sturdy and solid. You wouldn't want it breaking or folding on your baby.
Do I need a play yard?
You may not need a play yard. Ask yourself a couple of questions to help you decide whether or not to buy one. First, how many kids do you plan on having and how far apart? If you only plan on having one child or you plan on having two or more children but several years apart, you may not use a play yard as much as a family with twins or multiple children close in age.
Next, will your childcare take place mostly in your own home with at least one parent or a trusted guardian present or will your baby or babies head off to Grandma's house most days while you're at work? If the latter sounds more like your situation, then keeping a play yard at Grandma's house could be well worth it. Or, if you or your spouse plans to work at home while taking care of the kids, you may find a play yard to be a helpful item of baby gear.
If you decide you need a play yard, thinking about what you need the play yard for will help you narrow down what price range to look at. Do you just need a play yard for travel or to keep at your home away from home in lieu of a full-size crib? Or do you need a play yard to keep at home for daily use or multiple children? For traveling, a small, light, portable and less expensive play yard with wheels and a carrying case will be the best choice. For daily use in your home or for multiple children, you may want to start your search at mid-priced play yards that have a few more helpful features.
How much do play yards cost?
Like most baby activity gear, the price range is wide. You can buy a safe and functional but simple play yard for as little as $50 or you can spend $200 or more for a fully featured play yard that includes a bassinet, changing table, diaper stacker, refillable wipe case, toys, mobile and even a remote control vibrating floor pad that plays music. A play yard with all these features may be more of a luxury than a necessity considering that your baby will only use it until he or she outgrows the weight limit (usually around 30 pounds for the play yard and about 15 pounds for the bassinet). On the other hand, these luxuries could be well worth the expense if they keep your baby safe and happy and make your busy days that much easier.
Baby walkers
For those times when your baby just is not content to play inside a play yard, try a baby walker. A baby walker is a padded seat within a metal or plastic frame with wheels around the base so your baby can push off the ground with her feet and propel herself around the house. Many baby walkers have snack trays with toys and drink holders similar to a high chair. While baby walkers are definitely fun for your baby, you should never leave your baby unattended while using it. Always make sure staircases, doors leading outside or any area of the home with uneven flooring levels is blocked from your baby's access. It is also smart to block areas of your home that have thick or loose carpeting or rugs that could cause the baby walker to tip over with your baby in it. Overstock.com has popular and fun baby walkers at prices below retail. Your baby will love to zoom around the house in a baby walker and you'll love our low prices and speedy shipping.
Baby bouncers
A baby bouncer is a wonderful item of baby activity gear for every parent to have. Baby bouncers are made for infants up to about 6 months of age and can be an invaluable tool for getting baby to sleep and keeping baby entertained. Babies love the bouncing motion of the chair and the comfortable padded sling-like design. After a big satisfying meal, your baby will probably find a baby bouncer's recline angle seat to be far more comfortable for falling asleep than a crib where he would have to lay flat on his back.
Some baby bouncers have vibrating seats that simulate a soothing car ride, and some play music and have toy mobiles to keep him entertained. Many wonderful baby bouncers are inexpensive, so you won't have to pay a lot for hours of entertainment and contentment.
Never leave your baby unattended in the bouncer when it's on top of a counter or table. The bouncing motion of the chair can slowly inch your baby toward the edge of the table or counter and fall off. If you buy a baby bouncer with toys or a mobile, make sure all small parts are securely attached and cannot be pulled off and swallowed or choked on.
Stop by Overstock.com today and pick up a baby bouncer to lull your baby to sleep tonight. You'll love our low prices and the hours of hands-free contentment you'll gain by having a baby bouncer.
Baby swings
Baby swings and baby bouncers perform similar functions, so you probably don't need to buy both unless you have twins. For babies who prefer lots of motion, a baby swing will be preferable to a bouncer. However, some babies dislike the swinging motion and will prefer a bouncer, so it's a smart idea to test your baby in both before you buy. Take your baby with you to a baby gear store and let him or her try both swings and bouncers, or if you have a friend who has a baby swing, ask to try it out.
Once you've determined if your baby would prefer a swing or a bouncer, swing by Overstock.com and check out our great selection of baby activity gear. Overstock.com is your online shopping outlet for play yards, baby swings, baby bouncers, baby walkers and more at lower than retail prices. You'll love our low, flat shipping rate, speedy delivery and award-winning customer service.
