Needing Advice on Play Yards

try the graco pack and play. at target for around $80.00 you can always go to a flea market or yard sale and buy a used one for alot cheaper. the pack and play can also be used as a bed.

Hi B.,

First, about the play yard- I have a 6 month old and haven't gotten one yet. I do have two older children and I used to keep the pack n play set up in the kitchen for those times when I needed to know they were safe while I was cooking, etc. It was a good place to store all those toys :) I have it in my bedroom now for when I have to shower before she'll go down for a nap.

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I have the Graco Pack to Play.
It's huge & gave my son the room to move around & play.
It is square vs. rectangle like most you will find & it has something on everyside of the playpen to keep the little ones engaged. Also it's big enough to put toys in there & let your guy go.
My little one uses it still & he will be 2 next month.
I could only find it online, as did my friend who recommeneded it.
It is bright red...all primary colors....usually runs about $99 or so.

Hope you find one you will like!

I don't know much about play yards and don't know how much time is required to do what you do from home, but since he is getting older, and will continue to need more and more active supervision, have you considered a part time child care option ... either out of the home or in home care? I realize you probably work from home to avoid that, but as he gets older something for even a few hours a day might provide you with a nice balance and would allow you to focus on work so that you can better focus on him while he is around.

Best of luck with your situation and I think regardless a play yard might be a great option for things like cooking etc so I hope some others out there have some good recommendations for you ...

Superyard XT. You can get it at Toys R Us. I love it and you can buy extensions to make is larger.

I also used the Superyard XT with both of my children and it was great. It's large enough that they don't feel "trapped" or too enclosed as with a simple Pak N Play playpen type of thing. Plus you can buy an extension to make it larger, and you can shape it any way you'd like. It is sturdy enough to support light weight - I never had any problems with it collapsing as someone else mentioned. I would just put them in w/ some of their toys and they were content! Try online for a good price. Good luck!

Hi B.,

We have alot in common! I've also been married 4 years and have a son born in November. My son is just on the verge of crawling and while I haven't used my pack and play for restraint yet, I have used it for nap time and occasional play time since he was born and I love it. I'm sure it'll also come in handy when he's more mobile. I have the Eddie Bauer Playard. All of the Eddie Bauers have an attached bassinet/changing table and are in neutral colors. My first one broke and the company was excellent about replacing it right away, even though I didn't have a receipt since it was a shower gift. I think it's mid-range as far as cost. Happy shopping!

My daughter was also born November 2007. If your son is as active as my daughter is a play yard is not going to keep him down. I would get an exersaucer or a jumperoo where he will be more restrained but entertained at the same time.

I absolutely love our "Sure and Secure custom fit gate" by Summer Infant, purchased at babysrus.com, which I have mounted to the wall to enclose one corner of our playroom completely. It has a gate and is adequately tall and safe and reasonable attractive looking since it is cloth mesh and not plastic. It is terrific because it provides a good 6x6 square when fully extended which is more room than most.I use it all the time for vacuuming, cooking, phone calls, etc. She sometimes cries because of separation, but that doesn't last long when she gets into her toys. One of the best Mommy-investments. good luck.

Hi

My son had the plain white plastic play yard from Babies R Us. It was about $70. The good thing was that you could shape it however you wanted to because it was a series of panels hinged together. Unfortunately, it only took about a week for him to figure out how to escape. He used to lift it up and crawl under. Also, if your son is pulling himself up, the sides are not very supportive and the play yard will collapse or flip. I would find a different solution than a play yard.

When you cook, give him a pot and a wooden spoon. Although noisy you will know where he is...away from the stove. Sometimes, tupperware worked but I fel like I had to continuosly check where he was since it was less noisy. Or set up a small kitchen set near your kitchen, so he can pretend play.

Good Luck

Hi B.,
Here it is a week later, and I am just now responding. You may have even purchased a play yard by now...BUT, I just wanted to let you know that I purchased the play yard from Target that you mentioned. My daughter loved it!! Even though she is now old enough not to be in it, she still enjoys it. It seemed very safe to me. I kept it on carpet so that it would not slide on our hardwood floors (which sometimes is a problem with play yards).

http://www.target.com/Little-Playzone-Sounds-Lights/dp/B0...#

Hope this helps!
B.