Playard with Bassinet

Your wife told you that you need a playard with bassinet. Your mother in-law agrees. Apparently the neighbors had one and it was great. Who knew having kids was going to lead to a whole new vocabulary? Face it Daddy, you gotta lot to learn. We're gonna to school ya.

A playard is like a playpen. In fact, truth be known, it is a playpen, but no one has to know that. For those of you raised in a barn, a playpen is how moms and dads get a chance to pass out for a few hours while baby is more or less safe. It's an enclosure for your baby/toddler. Usually the bottoms and sides are padded so baby doesn't bonk their head if they fall. You can just throw toys in there and let them do as they wish. No one recommends putting it upside down over the little one and using it like a kennel. Doing so could result in bodily harm to the baby or you when your wife finds out.

Playards are a good idea for babies of any age though. They will help keep your toddler from licking a light socket while you're distracted, for one thing. Also for younger babies it helps keep them off the floor where it's drafty (they are bald a lot of times, you know) and provides a barrier of protection from bigger people walking around and/or pets in the area.

Now that we know what a playard is, let's looks at the bassinet part of "playard with bassinet," shall we? A bassinet is a baby bed. Yeah, it really is that simple. To be perfectly clear though, this is a baby's bed, not a cool racecar bed with neat-o Spiderman sheets. Think of it as a warm little cocoon for the first four months of your baby's life. Remember, they just spent nine months in pretty cramped quarters. A bassinette helps them make the transition into a "regular" bed.

So why have a playard with bassinet? Think of it as a really puffy Swiss Army knife: one knife, many functions. And it makes more sense than a utensil that combines toenail clippers and a toothpick side by side. The bassinette fits onto the top of the playard. It's insane and kind of like a transformer for babies, but it works.

What purpose could a playard with bassinet serve? Several that even the manly man can understand. First off, there's consolidation of space. Really you need both items, so why not have them both take up the same amount of room? Most are pretty portable, so this helps you with load out. Finally, women like things that match.

You can find a good playard with bassinet at most online baby stores or nearly anywhere baby stuff is sold. They come in a variety of styles and colors. Some come with cool mobiles (that's a whole other article) that can be themed with everything from Elmo to NASCAR! And since you'll be the one stepping over it for the next 12 months or so, I suggest you get proactive in buying this stuff, Daddy.

While helping to pick out and buy this stuff is recommended, also remember that momma bear makes all the final decisions on this stuff. Make suggestions and give feedback, she will think that's cute, but whatever you do, don't make any unilateral choices! We're just trying to help keep you alive long enough to pay for college.