These updated versions of the playpen can be handy for your home or when you travel.

Play yards provide babies and toddlers with an enclosed place for playing or napping. Many play yards include an elevated changing table or changing table insert, an organizer for diapers and baby wipes, and a bassinet--perhaps even a mattress that vibrates to lull babies to sleep. Some play yards have extras to entertain your baby with a mobile, a detachable toy bar, or an entertainment center that features music, nature sounds, and/or dancing lights, some activated by remote control.

How necessary is a play yard? You can certainly live without one. But a play yard can fill a need you may not know you have until you start using it. Of course, a play yard gives your baby a place to play. Some play yards come with a changing table insert, saving you from having to run up and down stairs for every diaper or quick clothes change. Although a full-size crib is the safest place for your baby to doze, a play yard with a bassinet attachment can double as a portable crib.

Most play yards originally were designed for portability--to fit through a door, be moved from one room to another, or folded up to fit in the trunk of your car. Many are a standard rectangular size, usually 28x40 inches. But the latest versions, like restaurant portion sizes, have gotten bigger. Some play yards are now 30½ inches wide, which is the same as a standard-size door, so scooting them from room to room in the set-up position may be a tight squeeze, if not impossible. Still, many manufacturers also make travel play yards, which are designed to move. They roll on wheels and fold easily and compactly into their own tote that resembles a short golf bag for vacations, business trips, and jaunts to Grandma's. A basic play yard weighs around 23 pounds without the bassinet and changing station; over 33 pounds with them. Travel play yards, though, tend to be smaller (around 23 inches wide) and light (around 20 pounds) because they're not loaded with extras.

Play yard frames are made of metal tubing. Mesh on three or all four sides provides ventilation and allows you to keep an eye on your baby. Most models have hinges and lock buttons in the center of the top rails. To set up a play yard, pull the top rails up so they're locked, then push the floor down. To fold this design, pull the floor up, raise the top rails slightly while pressing the release buttons to unlatch and collapse the top rails. An alternate design from J. Mason eliminates the top-rail hinges altogether. (Note: We did not test this unit.) To fold this play yard, loosen and remove the corner posts, then collapse the unit.

Shopping Secrets

Think about how you'll use your play yard. If it's going to function mostly as a playpen, you can probably go with a basic model, such as the Cosco Funsport ($40), which scored Very Good in our Ratings at ConsumerReports.org subscribers, and skip the extras. A pair of lockable wheels or swivel casters on one end will make it easier to move from room to room. If you'll use it for travel, you'll want a play yard that's lightweight, folds quickly and compactly, and has its own carrying case. You may even want to roll the packed unit. A carrying bag that allows the play yard's own wheels to roll when it's packed is ideal. We found that feature on one product we tested, the Kolcraft Jeep Sahara Limited XT ($130).

If you plan to have your newborn take naps in the play yard as an off-site nursery, compare the bassinet options. Most play yards offer a full-size bassinet, which runs the entire length and width of the play yard. Some feature a rocking cradle with a canopy that fits into the top half of the play yard; the changing table insert occupies the other half. Some models have a canopy to help shield your baby from sun and wind, which can be helpful if you plan to take the play yard outside.

Know when to fold 'em. Some manufacturers claim their play yards can be folded in less than a minute, with "push-button" convenience. See for yourself by practicing on the floor models in a store, if you can. Ease of folding and set-up are especially important if you'll be traveling with the play yard and assembling/disassembling it often.

Select the play yard yourself. Play yards are popular shower gifts; if you're planning to include one on your registry list, select the model yourself and consider the features you'll need.

Go with a model that has storage compartments. Make sure they attach to the outside so they're out of your baby's reach.

Be sure to check the floor pad. It should be one that the manufacturer supplied for the model. It should also be no more than 1 inch thick, snug-fitting, and firm enough to protect your baby from falling or rolling into the loose mesh pocket that can form between the edge of the floor panel and side of the play yard (a suffocation hazard). We judged safer the models that have slots on the floor that allow the mattress's Velcro strips to be inserted and secured on the outside of the play yard, making it difficult for a baby or toddler to lift the mattress and possibly become entrapped under it. Avoid models with a mattress that attaches to the bottom of a play yard with Velcro pads that a child can access from the inside.

Think about "the look." The trend in play yards is to feature fabric that blends into the décor of your home. Evenflo, for example, makes play yards (and matching travel systems, swings, and high chairs) in lush Italian fabrics in gender-specific color selections, such as pink polka dot with coordinating plaid. But you'll also find collections in toffee, mocha, and eggplant, and patterns with names like "Wedgewood" (blue plaid and solid blue) and "Carlton" (red check and red plaid).

Check the production date and packaging. Buy the play yard with the most recent date. Make sure the model has a certification sticker from the JPMA indicating that it meets the current voluntary standard for play yards.

What's Available

The major brands, in alphabetical order, are Baby Trend, Chicco, Combi, Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Graco, Kolcraft, www.jmason.com, Safety 1st, and Simplicity for Children. Play yards range from $40 for the most basic to $130 for premium models.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Removable bassinet. This gives newborns a place to nap. If you have older children or plan to use this play yard for your next baby, too, look for a bassinet that is secured to the play yard in a way that older children can't tamper with. Some of the units we tested had bassinets that attached to the play yard with easily disengaged bars or by bars and exposed plastic clips. Older siblings could easily outwit these fasteners, which could cause the bassinet to fall to the play yard floor. But one play yard we tested, the Evenflo Baby Go Portable ($70), had bassinet clips that are covered by the bassinet's fabric flaps that snap on the play yard, hiding the clips from view. It was judged safe.

Look for a design that's easy to use. Stop using the bassinet when your baby reaches the manufacturer's recommended weight limit (typically 15 pounds) or can sit up, pull up, or roll over.

Canopy. Many play yards with bassinets have a canopy to shade your baby from harsh light. Some canopies have attached toys that act as a mobile.

Carrying case. Most cases are fabric bags that all the components of the play yard fit into. The four sections of the folded-up floor provide support for the bag by surrounding the unit's other components. A carrying case with a shoulder strap can make life easier. One tested play yard had the added convenience of rolling while folded.

Changing station. Most attach to the top of the top rail, though some are suspended from the side and can be rotated down to hang at the side of the play yard. When using a changing table, always keep your hand on your baby and use the safety straps. One unit we tested, the Graco Pack 'n' Play 9952CLO, didn't have a restraining strap. We think you should avoid such models. Remove the changing station or flip it out of the way once your baby is in the play yard itself to avoid potentially fatal entrapment between the station and the yard's top rail.

Foldability. If you'll be traveling often with your baby, you'll want a play yard that folds and reassembles easily.

Storage. Some models provide storage for toys and other baby items in zippered side pockets, hook-on fabric storage pouches, and clip-on parent organizer bags. They should be big enough to actually hold something. Look for a model with storage compartments that attach to the outside so they're out of your baby's reach.

Toys, music, lights. Some play yards feature a mobile with suspended hanging toys or a detachable toy gym that can also be used with the bassinet mattress on the floor as a separate play mat for tummy time. These are a bonus, as are entertainment centers with music, soothing sounds, and lights, which will contribute to the price. They usually require C or AA batteries (not included). Toys may not be necessary if you intend to use your play yard as just a portable nursery. But if you use a play yard as a mobile activity center, toys and sound effects can be helpful, though you can always add your own.

Wheels or casters. A pair of lockable wheels or swivel casters on one end make moving the play yard easier. Make sure the wheels lock. Some designs can be rolled when folded. That's a definite plus.

Recommendations

Look for a new play yard that offers the best combination of useful features, such as an attachable bassinet where a newborn can nap, a diaper-changing station, and a parent organizer pouch. A pair of lockable wheels or swivel casters on one end will make it easier to move the play yard. Keep safety in mind. Be sure to check the floor pad: It should be no more than 1 inch thick and snug-fitting. If you have a play yard with a diaper-changing station or attachable bassinet, don't place your baby under either attachment while they're in place. Though some play yards come with two bassinets for twins, the playing area is designed to be used by only one child at a time.

If you use a play yard for overnight sleeping, keep in mind that the mattress pad is thin for a reason: to prevent a child from becoming wedged between the pad and the sides. Never add extra mattresses or padding, and don't use blankets or other types of soft bedding, which pose a suffocation hazard. Instead, layer your baby for warmth with an onesie or T-shirt and a footed sleeper or wearable sleeper sack. Stop using a play yard when your child attempts to climb out or when he reaches the height and weight limits (typically 35 inches and 30 pounds). Stop using the bassinet attachment when your baby reaches 3 months or 15 pounds or can sit up, pull up, or roll over.

Copyright © 2003-2007 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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