Having a baby changes the lives of parents forever, including how you travel! Sure, traveling with your baby makes it 100% more fun and enjoyable, but, let’s face it, it can also be extremely tiring. Plus, it can be stressful. However, there are accessories and baby gear that can help you. One of these must-haves is the pack ‘n play, or the travel crib, or the playard.
What is a Pack ‘n Play?
Imagine a crib, that’s also a bassinet AND a play yard for your child. That is what a pack ‘n play is. Basically, this is a multi-purpose crib that you can also use as a play yard for your child for their independent playtime. Some travel cribs also have a detachable bassinet. This essential baby gear is perfect for traveling, like going to grandma’s house or on vacation.
Nuna Sena Aire Vs The 4Moms Breeze Playard
Both playards are highly recommended for purchase. Both have similarities, however, these two have enough differences which could be deciding factors when making your decision. We’ve reviewed and made a comparison between these two playards for you so that you can choose wisely and easily.
Let’s start with the basic info about these two.
| Nuna Sena Aire | 4Moms Breeze Plus | |
| One-handed open and close setup | Yes | Yes |
| Removable bassinet | Yes | Yes |
| Includes Mattress | Yes | Yes |
| Includes Sheet | Yes | No (Sold Separately) |
| Attached Changing Table | No (Sold Separately) | Yes |
| Includes Travel Bag | Yes | Yes |
| Weight of playard | 24.8 pounds | 23 pounds |
| Recommended Use | Birth to 33 pounds | Birth to 30 pounds |
| Dimensions | L 41″ x W 31″ x H 73 “ | L 43″ x W 30″ x H 29″ |
| Reviews & Ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Packing up
It is a great advantage that a playard has its own travel bag included. Good thing that both the Nuna Sena Aire and 4Moms Breeze Plus have their own travel bags. Both bags are also spacious and sturdy. The bag fits the whole folded playard plus the mattress and other accessories. The only difference is that the Breeze Plus has a zipped bag, while the Sena Aire has a drawstring one.
Folding the playards is also easy. With both, you must remove the mattress first before folding the crib. You put any accessories in between the legs, as well as the mattress. However, putting the folded playards into the bag is slightly easier for the Breeze Plus because of its fully zipped body, compared to the Sena Aire where you put it inside the bag from the end.
Setting up
With its one-handed open and close setup, the setting up and taking down both of the Sena Aire and 4Moms Breeze Plus becomes very easy. All you have to do is remove the travel cribs from the bag, and push down the center point for it to expand. Once done, you can put the mattress inside and lock it using velcro.
Baby bassinet
One of the primary differences between the Nuna Sena Aire and the 4Moms Breeze Plus is the removable bassinet for your baby. Yes, both include one; however, they differ on how the bassinet is attached.
The bassinet on the Nuna Sena Aire travel crib involves elevating the mattress. The same mattress is used for the bassinet and the playard. You secure the mattress with eight snaps and buckles. This bassinet is very secure, but you may find assembling it time-consuming.
The 4Moms Breeze has a separate detachable bassinet. It goes alongside the changing station for your baby. You can also secure it in place by attaching hooks to the top of the sides of the playard. However, the bassinet is somewhat small and close to the top. It would be best to use for babies not yet able to sit up.
Changing station
Let’s admit it, it’s quite a hassle to change our baby’s clothes and diapers when they’re not on a changing table. We consider it essential to have a changing table along with our travel cribs.
Despite it including nice extras like organic cotton sheets, Nuna Sena does not include a changing table in its model. It must be purchased separately, but it is a sturdy and useful addition to your travel crib. It easily locks onto the travel crib and you can rotate it when you don’t need it. It’s also easy to clean, just wipe and you’re done.
On the other hand, the 4Moms Breeze Plus includes a changing station. It lies side-by-side with the bassinet and you can detach it when not in use. The changing station is also waterproof and easy to clean, so no need to worry about changing mishaps.
Mattress
Both the Nuna Sena and 4Moms Breeze feature a mattress in their travel crib. Both mattresses fold in 4 and have enough padding for your child’s safety and comfort. However, in terms of cleaning the mattress, Nuna Sena has a removable cover you can put in the washing machine while the 4Moms Breeze can be wiped and cleaned using a damp cloth.
Mattress sheet
Another notable difference between the Nuna Sena and 4Moms Breeze is the sheet for the mattress. Nuna Sena already includes a sheet for your mattress. It’s also made from organic cotton for your baby’s sure comfort. The only downside is that the sheet is not waterproof.
On the other hand, the sheets for the 4Moms Breeze are sold separately. Cotton and waterproof sheets are available for the playard and the bassinet, waterproof sheets are always useful to protect the mattress and all are machine washable.
Price
A travel crib is a significant investment for any family. The 4moms Breeze is slightly more budget-friendly but both are sturdily built and worth their price. The choice between Nuna Sena Aire and the 4moms breeze plus for parents will come down to which suits your lifestyle the best. Look out for offers for free shipping or seasonal discounts to help keep the cost down.
Why Are Travel Cribs Essential?
With all the crib and other toys at home, some parents think that they do not need a pack ‘n play too. For them, a pack ‘n play only takes up space and takes time to assemble. However, this is not always the case. Here are some reasons why this baby gear is essential.
Nap anytime, anywhere
One of the biggest advantages of a pack ‘n play is its portability. As its name suggests, you can fold and pack the crib into a bag, and take it anywhere with you. With this advantage, you can let your little one nap everywhere, in the living room whenever you’re doing your chores or work or in your room when they are too uncomfortable in their own room. You can also take the playard when you are on trips. You can assemble it in your hotel room for your baby’s comfortable sleep (and yours, too). Either way, a pack ‘n play helps your child get used to napping in new locations.
Independent playtime
With the use of a travel crib, you can let your child play independently. You can just leave your precious little one inside with their toys and they’ll just play by themselves. Travel cribs can stand as a play yard for your child. They can sit, stand, and even jump around the crib without bumping their head or getting hurt. Also, these things have mesh sides so you can see them while they’re playing. A travel crib promotes safe independent playtimes for your child.
Easy for family travels
As we mentioned before, a travel crib is portable. You can fold it and fit it inside a travel bag (some brands include the travel bag), and you can carry it in your car without taking up too much space. Although the folding process can take a bit of time, it still makes your travel easier. You can take it to your family home, hotel room, or even the beach. A travel crib definitely makes your baby’s sleeping arrangements a lot easier.
Sibling time
Taking care of siblings is hard for parents, especially when the age gap is small. For parents who have both babies and toddlers, a pack ‘n play can help you divide your time and attention among your children. You can lay your baby inside, and spend time with your toddler. You can also place the travel crib near you, so you can still take care of your baby. This way, no rifts between siblings happen, and your children can stay happy as possible.
A helpful tool for me-time
Of course, parents have a lot of things to do in addition to taking care of the baby. A travel crib becomes a safe space for your child whenever you get busy, whether it be because of work, house chores, or other things. It can also be helpful when you just need a minute to do something, like answering the door. A playard makes sure your child is safe when you’re doing something else, and that’s assured.
Also for newborns
When you get home from the hospital after giving birth, you may not feel totally comfortable when your baby is sleeping in another room. Letting your baby sleep near you for the first few months of their lives helps them bond with you. A travel crib allows you to let your child sleep peacefully in your room, without taking up too much space. You can check up on your baby easily and feed them whenever they are hungry, with minimal steps required. Having a travel crib in your room for your newborn gives you peace of mind and plenty of sleep.
Choosing a Pack ‘n Play
When choosing a playard for your baby, you have to consider some factors, including the purpose you are using it for. Here are some considerations when choosing a playard for your little one.
Safety features
Since your baby will spend a lot of his time in their playard, for sleeping or playing independently, it is important to note the safety features. Some playards and accessories have been recalled because they may cause injury to your child. Some parents also opt for older models, which can sometimes be dangerous to your children because of their non-locking rails. These rails could collapse, at may put your baby at risk. For your child’s safety, we highly suggest that you purchase a playard that meets the latest safety standards set by bodies such as the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.
Accessories and add-ons
Another thing to consider is the accessories that come with your playard. These accessories will help you keep your child comfortable in their playard while you’re busy elsewhere:
- Make sure your playard has a portable crib or bassinet for when your baby needs to doze off.
- You can also add a changing table for whenever you need to change your baby’s diaper.
- If you’re going to set up your playard outside, note that a canopy can protect your baby from harmful sun rays.
Weight
Since a playard or a travel crib is portable, you can take it anywhere with you. However, some models are heavy to carry. When choosing a playard, make sure that it is lightweight, folds compactly, and is easy to carry.
The Verdict
With all these considerations and add-ons, we hope we have helped in making your decision about which playard is the one for your family. It is worth considering what your essentials are. Will your travel crib only be used visiting family at Christmas? Or will you be using it every day to keep your baby safe whilst you care for your older children? Make sure you consider your budget when choosing a playard, some features are not included in the base price, again, make sure you know what you want. Both the Nuna Sena and the 4moms breeze are great quality travel cribs, budget might be the only deciding factor for you.
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