Playard Basics, Mattress Size and Time Limits
A playard is a portable mesh crib with its own federal standard; use only its mattress, and stop at the labeled height or weight or when the child climbs out.
By Amanda RoseContributing writer.
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The short answer
A playard, also called a play yard or portable crib, is a folding crib with mesh or fabric sides and a thin mattress pad on its floor. "Pack 'n Play" is one brand's name that many people use for the whole category. Playards made since January 20, 2020 must meet the federal play yard standard (16 CFR part 1221), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists a play yard that meets federal standards as a safe place for a baby to sleep, along with a crib or bassinet.
Pack n play vs crib
| Playard | Full-size crib | |
|---|---|---|
| Sides | Mesh or fabric | Wood or metal slats |
| Mattress | Thin pad made for that model | Standard crib mattress |
| Folds for travel | Yes | No |
| Extras | Often a bassinet insert or changer | Often converts to a toddler bed |
| Federal rule | Play yards (part 1221) | Full-size cribs |
A playard is a good fit for travel, a grandparent's house or a small room. A crib takes a thicker, standard mattress. Both are safe for sleep when set up as the maker says, with only a fitted sheet inside.
Playard mattress size
There is no single standard playard mattress size: each model has its own floor, and the pad that comes with it is part of what was safety tested. The federal mattress rule (16 CFR part 1241) requires an after-market playard mattress to pass the play yard tests with each brand and model it is sold for. In practice:
- Use the pad that came with the playard, or a replacement sold for that exact brand and model.
- Never stack a second mattress or a crib mattress on top. The AAP says a mattress should be designed for your specific crib and fit tightly.
- Use only a sheet made for the playard, so it stays tight on the thin pad.
How long can a baby sleep in a pack n play
The AAP treats a play yard that meets federal standards like a crib or bassinet, as a place for naps and night sleep. What ends its use is the child's size and skills. Each model prints its own limits on the label and in the manual. Baby Trend's Nursery Center is a typical example:
| Part | Limit |
|---|---|
| Bassinet insert | Birth to 3 months, up to 15 lb or 25 in, whichever comes first |
| Playard | Up to 35 in tall; weight limit printed on the product |
Baby Trend also says to stop using the playard once the child can climb out or can move or lift it. Its page lists the playard weight limit as 30 pounds in one place and 35 pounds in another, a reminder to check the label on the unit you own.
Floor-level travel cribs work differently. Guava Family says its Lotus Travel Crib has no weight limit because the mattress rests on the floor, and is meant for newborns to age 3 or until the child can climb out.
Using a playard safely
- Set it up and lock it exactly as the manual says. The AAP says not to use a crib that has no instructions, is missing hardware or is broken.
- Take the bassinet insert out once the baby reaches its limits.
- Lay the baby on their back, with no pillows, blankets or bumpers.
Shopping on Wiki Shopping
Playards are listed under baby products. Before you buy, compare the height and weight limits of the playard and of any bassinet insert in the listing.