The Ultimate Play Yard Buying Guide

To keep your baby as safe as possible in the play yard, read through the instruction materials that come with the product and follow the guidelines. For example, portable cribs include their own snug-fitting mattress. This mattress is made to fit into the portable crib to prevent your baby from becoming trapped underneath. Consumer Reports cautions that you should not use an additional mattress or crib seat on the bottom of the portable crib. Instead, dress your baby warmly for bed. Lots of bedding and even toys in the bottom of the portable crib pose safety risks. Babies can become trapped in the sheets and suffocate. (With some play yard models, you can purchase specially fitted sheets.)