Graco Pack 'n Play Packs a Lot of Punch

What is one thing that as a new parent you will be so glad you bought? For me it is the Graco Pack 'n Play. This has got to be the most versatile things that I purchased for my little one. I use it every day, and have since the day I brought him home from the hospital. And that was 7 months ago.

Lets just start off by running down the list of features. It is a standard playpen, with a built in bassinet, and removable changing table and pad. Not to mention it has a mobile, and a handy tray feature. Its lightweight, has wheels to maneuver about the house easily, it folds up for travel, and even comes with a handy carrying case, assuming you can fold it up enough to get it in there, which I never can. But still handy if you are mechanically inclined enough to get it in there. It is also extremely sturdy, and I believe it will hold up through multiple children if need be.

When he was a newborn, this was savior for me. I had to have a cesarean section and couldn't run up and down the stairs all day to get the needed supplies and put the baby down for naps. I loaded my diaper bag with clean clothes for him, and lots of diapers, and in the mornings before leaving for work, my husband would carry it downstairs for me. It was my crib and changing table for daytime use for the first month easily. Not to mention, I suffered from the same anxiety most first time mothers do when their baby is out of their site, even for the night. So it was kept in our bedroom, and he slept in it for the first 3 months of his life, instead of his crib. The tray was extremely handy for keeping things like an extra pacifier and burp cloths.

Its wonderful for overnight stays at the grandparents because of the ability to fold it and it travels well. This way they get the bed and the changing table. And don't forget the added benefit of the baby having someplace familiar to sleep, even when they aren't at home. Its also great if you have to take the little one on the road, for the same reasons its wonderful for the grandparents.

Now that he is bigger, it is a savior for corralling him. When I am trying to get something done, or cook dinner, I can wheel it wherever I am, and put some toys in there, and he can play while still being able to watch what I am doing, but still be out of harms way. He loves it. And this summer, I think it will be great for pulling out onto the back porch while the hubby and I sit on the swing and drink some iced tea in the evenings, so he can be with us, without crawling all over the place.

I give the Graco Pack 'n Play a very high rating. I don't know what I would do without mine. And I highly recommend it to anyone who is currently trying to decide what baby products they have to have, versus what might just be nice to have.