Graco Element Pack 'N Play Playard with Bassinet

Here are some things to keep in mind. If you are looking to use it as the play yard or without the bassinet and other features, it will be faster to assemble and break down and it's good value for the money. If you are looking to use it more like your primary crib for your first couple months think carefully about what you want and need. Whenever you break down the crib to move to another room you need to pull off the changing table. If you are packing it up for longer distance transport you need to completely take the table apart, as well as the mobile and quite possibly some of the hardware on the bassinet. It's not hard, but can take 10-15 minutes. The bassinet feature requires a little time to slide in or out the metal poles that run along the sides and lock it in place, for example.

Warning: The "handy storage case" does not have handles! It has one small awkward carry handle that must be grasped with you hand. You can't sling it over your shoulder. This is a horrible design oversight for a product that is suppose to be convenient and portable. As we will be doing some major traveling when our baby is still quite young, and I've read too many bad things about hotel cribs to depend on one, I'm not looking forward to bringing this to the airport unless I can figure out a way to sew or hot glue some handles onto the case; or maybe I can find an alternative case that will be easier to carry.

The changing table and the little mobile together make for a lot of "stuff" in the way of getting the baby in and out. We do not use the mobile. Also, there is only adequate space to store stuff for changing, so we have supplies near by on a table. Ask yourself if you really need the changing table before deciding on a model that has one.

If you're traveling or using this at a relative's house, this changing table feature would be great since you can guarantee a place to change your young baby that all fits together in one case. However, for use at home, it may not be worth the money, especially if you plan to have more than one portable crib and will have a separate baby changing pad/station that could be secured on a table top or dresser. Also, you could always change the baby on a bed using a changing pad if needed. (If you're considering this model you've probably figured out that the sun-shader and extra infant holder that some newer models can be wastes of money. Good for you! Chances are you are going to put the crib in the shade, could drape a sheet over the top to create shade if needed when the baby uses it without the bassinet feature, or would close the curtains in the room. True, some newborns sleep better when in a smaller "crib" or bassinet, since it's cozier and more like the womb, but ask yourself if the extra money is worth it for those first weeks/ or month. Maybe you can purchase a different kind of infant holder that would be just as effective, for less than the mark up on the cribs that include one.)