Pack and Play and a Playpen
Pack-N-Play and Playpen are controlled play areas where babies can safely play.
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The two equipment is used to provide a space where babies can play or sit without requiring continuous management.
Although parents are not permitted to leave babies unattended for an extended period, playpens allow them to have a break and get work done.
While pack and play is an enclosed unit made from wood or plastic with a floor that comes with a mattress and mesh walls that can be used for sleeping as well, both playpen and pack and play do fold, allowing for easy transportation.
The article will focus on the differences between Pack and Play and a Playpen.
What is a Pack and Play?
A pack and play, also known as a playard is a portable or mini-crib for playing or sleeping for infants and babies.
It is rectangular and has wheels that somewhat uplift the mesh side from the floor.
The walls are mesh to allow free airflow for babies to breathe effortlessly, which is essential for the safety of infants to prevent them from suffocation while sleeping hence reducing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The pack and play wheels are free; they can be used to uplift the equipment to a certain level desired by parents when the baby wants to sleep, or lowered when the baby is playing.
Since they are portable, they can be folded or moved from one place to another when babies are not using them or depending on the activities or chores the parents are doing in the house.
The pack and play contain extra features like a detachable changing station for babies, a crib for sleeping, and hanging toys to keep the baby entertained.
The rest of the arrangement is made of flexible vinyl, an easily foldable material.
Most of the pack and plays are wider and taller as compared to bassinets, with enough space for diaper and toy storage.
What is a playpen?
A playpen is a foldable enclosed area or furniture where infants and babies are engaged when parents are busy.
Its primary purpose is to avert any harm towards babies when their parents are busy doing chores or work.
Playpens can be used as play areas too when loaded with toys.
Most parents use playpen for babies between seven months to about three years.
According to pediatricians, when babies spend time in the playpen from a tender age, they will enjoy playing there when their parents are occupied.
Most playpens in the markets today serve many purposes; they can be transformed into room dividers, travel cots, fireguards, or stair gate.
However, babies should not be kept there for long periods because it will inhibit their ability to experiment on the surrounding.
Playpens are used with toddlers to act as a barrier and prevent them from moving around without supervision from their parents or caregivers hence protecting them from an accident.
Differences between a pack and play and a playpen
Playpens and pack and plays have many differences.
Pack and plays are seen as the advanced model of the playpen, but in most baby shops, the two products are purchased separately.
The main difference between a playpen and pack and play is that the latter is well-fitted with extra features such as a portable crib, a diaper changing station, storage shelves, and organizers.
These pack and play are essential for travel parents.
While the playpens are more vital to older babies, they do not contain additional features, but they work very well when keeping the babies safe and secure.
A playpen is spacious, lightweight, and cheaper due to the missing features as compared to pack and plays, which are more massive and expensive.
Finally, playpens can function for a more extended period from the age of six months to about two years while pack and plays are used for a shorter period from a newborn to babies of about seven months.
Tips to consider when choosing a pack and play or a playpen
When parents are choosing either a pack and play or a playpen from retail stores or online platforms, they should consider the following tips;
Safety
Parents should always consider safety.
When choosing a playpen or a pack and play, they should read the products’ rules and regulations and reviews from other parents and experts.
And finally, pay attention to products that have been recalled due to safety issues.
Buying a product with useful reviews will ensure that their babies are safe and secure all the time.
Size
Another factor to consider when choosing the two is size. Parents should know that the two products vary in size.
For the ones with bigger houses or bigger kids, they should consider playpen while parents with newborns or babies under one year they should consider purchasing the pack and play.
As for traveling parents, they can consider either one of them.
Function
Both pack and plays and playpens are built to infants and babies to play.
The enclosed spaces can also be used for sleeping.
For busy parents who would like to keep their babies and toddlers safe when playing they should consider purchasing a playpen, while the ones who would want a multi-function item then they should consider a pack and play.
Portability
Both playpen and pack and play can be considered because they are both portable.
For instance, for parents who like to spend time at the park or outdoors reading their books and their babies, they can consider any.
Both will be helpful to keep their babies safe, plus you can fold to easy transportation.
Storage
Most pack and plays come with extra space for storage while playpen does not.
Parents that would need extra spaces to store babies’ diapers, feeding bottles, or extra clothing should choose a pack and play.
Entertainment
Modern pack and plays come with hanging toys and music to entertain the young ones.
For parents with infants to six months old babies, they should consider purchasing a pack and play while for parents with older babies, playpens would be appropriate.
