Graco Playards

Reaping the full advantages of playpens or playards

Playards are derived from playpens.  This is built specifically for babies and toddlers to be used as often as wished, whether as a part of daily routine or occasionally.  Here, babies are contained in a safe environment and they can be contented there with toys, and be happy.  Adults find this yard so useful so that they can get things done as they do not have to give the child undivided attention. 
Reviews and opinions posted by parents on message boards and forums reveal opinions of the playard.  Some enlightening comments made were:
·         They are only used for a few months of babies' lives.”
·         Children will not stay in them for long.
·         Children are unhappy in them.
·         Children are bored in them, hence always sleeping.
·         They are used by lazy parents.
Contrary to popular beliefs that the playpen is a place of confinement and babies feel very restricted or that they are used by indolent parents, the playards have still been featured as one important and convenient in some way or another.  
Consider the age range that should go into a playpen
Playpens are well suited for children up to six months who are not at the stage of moving about independently. Once the child is at the stage of development where he can freely move about and do so independently, then this confinement will not appeal to him, He will show his unappreciation through feelings of distress and crying. 
Consider the duration of time that that the child should be in the playard
Children have very short attention span; they like to interchange their activities because they are explorative by nature.  A growing baby must be given the chance to explore, to move around, and to socialize.  Confining the child to the playpen most of the day is not quite ideal if these activities are to be done.  However, the playard can be used at intervals to get things done that would otherwise be difficult to accomplish while attending to the baby most of the time.  Incorporating the playard environment into an infant’s routine is will make him/her familiar and appreciate being in the playard.  Nonetheless if it is improperly used such a part of disciplinary measures, then the child will not appreciate being in the playard in other times. 

The playards are built of certain sizes and certain material to withstand a particular weight range, thus a toddler will not be well suited for most playards.  One type that would suit toddlers is the sturdy built kind with gates for entering and leaving the playard, similar environment to that of a park.  Depending on the size and material of construction, more than one child can share the space of a playard.  Ideally, children who are similar in age and ability will get along well in this environment.  Putting toddlers with babies leaves the baby vulnerable for serious accidents to take place.  Nonetheless children here must be supervised as they interact with each other,
Although the playard has great use for leaving the baby with minimal supervision, there are certain items that can be placed in it for maximum safety. Care must be given to the type of material that is used in the playard.  Items with long strings, unsafe toys, pillows and blankets can cause suffocation in the infant.  Items suitable for the playpen are boks, soft toys and other toys hat the infant won’t trip over.  Children enjoy making a mess so these items should be packed in boxes to allow the child to remove them and play with them however he wishes. 

Choosing the perfect playard

Guidelines for choosing a playard
Playards are considered safe contained environments for children to play and sleep in.  They are the new version to playpens and due to their safety reliability and satisfaction they have been a common registry item.  They are reasonably priced due to the range of features that they offer.  Included in the features are: bassinet, diaper changing station, canopy, storage pocket, mobile, rocking mechanism, MP3 and music capabilities, wheels to easily push from location to location, and storage pockets.  All these features and more are positioned in an orderly arrangement to carry out its multifaceted purposes.
There are many different models available with different ranges of simplicity so that the parent will have more options to choose in regards to the purpose it will be used for.  The additional features on the playard can be bought as an option depending on the family’s needs.  In homes with more than one level, sleeping and changing accessories might provide some convenience to be able to change the child’s clothing in the same area he or she is playing in.  Praised for its portability, working parents will be grateful for the ease with which it can be carried to the babysitter’s home.  On the other hand, if its purpose is just for occasional play, then a suitable type would be light with much less features. 
An attractive feature of the playard is that the levels on which the child is placed can be adjusted.  The upper level can be used to place the sleeping baby lessening the depth and easing the pressure of the back when raising the child.  However, this level, not being as sturdy as the lower level, has a maximum weight accommodation not exceeding 18lbs.
Playards can easily assemble, disassemble, and fold to occupy the least of space, and fit perfectly in a storage bag more than 3x less its size.  The bag is of sturdy material to hold the folded playard in place while travelling. Newer models are designed to ensure safety that the child can be left alone while parent attends to other important duties.
Playards are very comfortable for the baby, the material that frames the sides are transparent to give the baby an allrond field of vision.  The floor of the playyard is not tough, but can accommodate sturdy padding with a mattresss of approximately one inch thick.  Strap holes, not in reach to the child are located on the base of the floor to allow the mattress to fit sturdily. 
Top rated models
Graco Lauren aces the list of true reliability and meeting customer’s expectations for extended periods of time. $80 - 230
The Arms Reach Co Sleeper is reported to be the heaviest with a 30lb bassinet and 50lb playpen. $140 - 250
The Aluminium framed Compass aluminium playard is statistically the lightest, weighing a mere 17lbs.  $100
Consumers’ preference is the Baby Trend Nursery Centre because it has the full features to make it a nursery centre.$130
J. Mason’s Safe Surround Sport is voted as the best basic playard having no additional features to it. Costs $85
With these options and model of playards to choose from, parents can wisely purchase one that suits their needs.  However, when checking, it is important that safety inspections are made.