Baby Furniture Wars: Cribs vs Playards vs. Bassinets

During the process of nesting, when moms and dads are furnishing and decorating the living space for their new baby, one decision parents must make is what will the baby sleep in.  Some parents choose the traditional baby crib with its furniture like feel and weight.  Others choose a playard/travel crib, a bassinet or simply place the baby into the parents' bed.  Some babies even wind up sleeping in swings and rockers.  However, for most parents it comes down to a decision between crib, playard or bassinet.

I actually know a family who owns all three baby sleeping devices, but my guess is that's rare.  Here is a comparison of those three choices (in alphabetical order).  There is no choice that's perfect for everyone, so each parent will need to make their own final decision.

Bassinet:

Size: small, about half the size of a traditional crib.  They tend to be very cozy and provide an intimate feel for the baby.  Unfortunately, because of the small size babies often outgrow the bassinet by 3 months of age and parents are once again in the market for something for their baby to sleep in at night.

Features:  they rock - literally.  You can rock your baby to sleep in one.

Price:  about half the price of a traditional crib.

Product Review: Graco Pack 'n Play Playard (Dempsey)

This purchases was the result of the my Crib vs. Playard decision.

Review: Graco Pack 'n Play Playard (Dempsey)

The Graco Pack 'n Play (or PNP) Playard is a hybrid.  Playards are generally hybrids of a crib and a play pen.  The PNP (Dempsey) is a quadruple threat: it is a combination of a crib, play pen, changing station and storage bins.  It also folds up easily for travel.  In my opinion the Graco PNP is the RAZR.  It's the best product for the money.  The comparable or alternative is to pay for a dresser, a changing station, baby crib, a mattress, bumpers, a mobile, a play pen, and a travel crib. The PNP is an excellent choice, even more so if you are short on space or cash.

Features:

• The Crib:
• a good alternative to purchasing a traditional crib.  There are two levels for the mattress, which can be adjusted as the baby gets bigger or is able to stand up.  
• The mattress is a good compromise between soft and firm.  
• When the "mattress" is at its highest level, there is a two-by-two storage area consisting of four cubbyholes.
• Can easily be moved from room to room, unlike a traditional crib that would require substantial disassembly and reassembly

• Changing Table:
• Comes with a space-saving baby changing attachment.  
• However, short on space there is no easily accessible place for baby changing necessities like wipes and diapers.  
• Only holds up to 20 lbs.

• Travel Crib: 
• Easily folds up into a   30" x 10" x 10" travel case. 
• You could break this thing down and fold it up in under a minute.

• Mobile:
• Comes with a mobile (three turtles) that spins (manually) and attaches quite well to the side of the playard.