My Playpen Regret: A Cautionary Tale

Hello everyone.

I thought a 2-in-1 playpen and crib would be a great idea when I was pregnant, but now I'm not so sure it's worth it. I already had a regular wooden crib, and I might write about that one later. But I wanted to buy a new one that was more practical and modern.

I spent a lot of time browsing the internet for something that would catch my eye, and that's when I came across the Kinderkraft Joy Playpen. Although, to be honest, it has even more functions than that.

All my relatives tried to convince me that I didn't need it, saying that we already have a playpen and a regular bed, but I really wanted one and that was that.

Design, packaging, assembly.

xa0 Kinderkraft Joy Playpen The design of it really appealed to me, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. There were two grey colour options, with small details in pink and blue.It came in a medium-sized box, which was disassembled into individual parts. After assembly, it can be folded up and stored compactly, but you do need to consider that if you're using it as a bed, you'll need to store the mattress somewhere too.

xa0 Kinderkraft Joy Playpen The box was heavy enough that I wouldn't have been able to move it on my own, even if I wasn't pregnant, but you can opt for delivery by courier or get your partner to help. My partner managed it, but it was clear it was a bit of a struggle.

I found it really easy to assemble, thanks to the intuitive instructions. There's also an instruction manual included, and if that doesn't make sense, there's a video assembly guide on YouTube that should leave no questions unanswered.

Where I bought it, the price.

I picked it up from Wildberries, you can find the link here.

The price at the time of purchase was 9100 rubles, now it's 10400 rubles, of course, it's risen more than in half a year, but not critically.

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Kit and whether these additional features were useful.

Along with the playpen, we got a crib with a height of 20 centimeters from the edge. So, it's reasonable to use it for a maximum of 4 months, after that, as soon as the baby learns to roll over, they'll also try to grab everything that comes their way, and accordingly, they might just fall out at night.

And putting the mattress in the bottom is also a bad idea, as it's definitely colder on the floor, and sleeping there means you'll get at least a few colds. Plus, it's not very convenient to get the baby from the bottom at night.

Kinderkraft Joy Playpen The mattress we bought separately, I ordered it according to the crib size from the manufacturer, everything fit perfectly. The top surface, in my opinion, doesn't look very sturdy, but the manufacturer promises it can hold up to 25 kilograms. I haven't tried to put that much weight on it, but the mattress, the baby, and the bedding together might weigh more.

The changing table. It's made in the form of a board covered with a laminate, which is attached to one edge of the crib. This changing table is very small and only suitable as long as the baby doesn't start rolling over and exploring the world. Although the maximum load is indicated as 11 kilograms, I was already scared to put my five-kilogram daughter on it. Now it's been removed and forgotten for a long time.

Kinderkraft Joy Convertible CribI've been really impressed with how easily I can move the crib around the room thanks to the wheels on the bottom. They roll smoothly and never get stuck, making it a breeze to rearrange the furniture.

Kinderkraft Joy Convertible CribThe storage bins underneath the crib are a great feature, but I've found that they can be a bit too sensitive. If you're not careful, you can end up jostling the crib more than you intended. I've learned to use them carefully, but it's something to be aware of.

Kinderkraft Joy Convertible CribOne thing I've noticed is that the mesh sides of the crib can make it a bit tricky to see my little one. They're designed to provide a clear view, but in practice, it's often easier to just lean in and take a look. Plus, with my couch positioned above the crib, I can only see a small part of my baby's face anyway.

Kinderkraft Joy Convertible CribThe side storage compartment with pockets is a nice feature, but it's not ideal for storing anything too heavy. I've found that it's best to keep it light and simple, or risk it falling over when you brush past it. I used to store diapers in there, but it's not the most practical solution in the end.

Kinderkraft Joy Playpen The mobile play unit came with some toys, and I was really pleased with it. My daughter started showing interest in it around two months old. I've been changing the toys on it every now and then, as she gets bored with the same ones pretty quickly. Kinderkraft Joy Playpen It runs on four AA batteries, and the back panel screws shut with tiny screws to prevent the little one from accessing them. It has four functions that can be used separately or combined: The built-in nightlight is pretty useless, as it's just a weak blue glow that's not even visible from a distance, but my daughter loves it and it keeps her awake. There's a mobile that can be activated with a press of a button, and my daughter enjoys watching it spin. The music feature plays a continuous loop that my daughter finds soothing. The vibration feature is pretty intense and can be adjusted to different levels, but it's mostly just a novelty. Kinderkraft Joy Playpen The playpen itself is great for storing baby items, but it's not a long-term solution as you'll eventually need to move everything out. My takeaways after using it.

After four months, I ended up replacing the playpen with a regular crib in my daughter's room, and this one is now on its way to our summer house.

Out of all the features, the only one that was actually useful for us was the mobile, but you can always take it out and use it separately. I spent a lot of time struggling with this playpen, but to be honest, I regret buying it. If you need a playpen, it's way cheaper to buy one separately and it's just as good in terms of quality. I've got to say, if you're looking for a bed, you're better off with a different option if you don't want to be buying a new one in a few months or if your little one is going to be sleeping almost on the floor.

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It looks great;The mobile is really good;It's super easy to move around the room;It's a breeze to assemble;It takes up minimal space when it's disassembled.Cons:

The plastic feels a bit flimsy;The steps aren't really necessary;The bed is way too high;You need a separate mattress;The bassinet is tiny, only good for up to 1.5 months;The side pockets keep falling off.Final verdict.

I wouldn't recommend buying this playpen, and as a bed, it's only good for a maximum of 4 months. If you're looking for a better quality playpen, you can get one for cheaper. I'm giving it two stars, and that's it for me.

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Thanks for reading, I hope this review was helpful. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.