There are a few types of baby gear: the kind that will do the job for now, and there’s the kind that works well AND makes things a little easier.
And then, there’s 4moms, the baby gear company that’s shaking things up with products that are changing the marketplace. Their latest innovation, the Breeze play yard, is shifting the whole paradigm…with just a push of a button.
Parenthood, at least for me, isn’t about the most stuff, or even the flashiest stuff. For me, it’s about well-designed products that are safe, efficient and are built to last. Throw in a little innovation and I’m sold!
By now, you may already know that our family is quite fond of 4moms. We’re continually dazzled by the Origami’s power folding abilities and super cool dashboard. And without getting the waterworks started, the mamaRoo is just as functional, as it is special to us. I’m fortunate enough to see and experience the latest in kid products, but when it comes to merging efficiency and innovation, 4moms is absolutely making their mark.
And when I think of convenient and efficient baby gear, rarely does a play yard come to mind. Otherwise known as a Pack n Play or playpen (if you’re old school,) 4moms has redefined the play yard concept with the Breeze. After unfolding, the Breeze is put together in less than 30 seconds. With a simple push, the entire play yard locks into place and is ready for baby’s nap, or if you’re my kid, roly poly time up and off of the floor where cat hair and dust breed before my eyes.
The Breeze is so Easy my 4 Year old Can Do it(?)
I wanted to say that the Breeze play yard is so simple my 4 year old could do it, but A) the kid willingly helps with the laundry after watching me all the time B) his arm isn’t long enough to reach into the Breeze and C) the 4 year old thing just isn’t a good example at all. Nevertheless, the Breeze is so easy, people; all baby products should be this breezy.
And speaking of 4 year olds, he was my director and camera man while I filmed these videos. We did quite a few takes, so you might be able to hear him saying “cut,” many thanks to my awesome editing. We had fun chatting it up about the Breeze, so be sure to check us out in action! Please excuse the shakiness, a sometimes crying babe and my child begging to go to the beach.
I’m so excited for the Breeze! I’ll let the video do the talking, but just a few things I love about it that I don’t think I mentioned are, the sleek aesthetics, clean lines and cool aqua/black color scheme. It complements my modern/classic decor without being offensive. I used to swear that baby and kid products wouldn’t overrule my living room, but to be quite honest, the Breeze may take up a good amount of space, but thankfully, goes beyond cutesy patterns. As for the overall physical presence of the Breeze, the frame is solid once its locked into place, yet its not too rigid. I love the convenience of the bassinet feature and changing pad; it’s streamlined without becoming a bulky addition.
As with any product, there are always a few caveats, and the same goes for the Breeze. At about 30 lbs, the Breeze is heavier than what I was expecting. And because it’s so new, sheets aren’t accessible yet, but thank goodness for the waterproof padding. I tried to use a Target brand pack and play sheet, but it didn’t fit. Having used their other products, I’m certain 4moms products are safe; however, because the Breeze is still so new, like all most products newly released to market, safety ratings aren’t available right away. (Reminder: I’m not a safety professional) And finally, pricepoint is something I can’t not include. At $299, the Breeze is more expensive than mid-range play yards, but it is true when they say, you get what you pay for, and the Breeze would most certainly last for multiple children, whether it’s siblings or passed down to friends and relatives.
The Breeze vs. the Other Guys and the Plight of a Harried Parent
I once had a detailed conversation with a good friend about Pack n Plays. The discussion pretty much went back and forth on how neither of us really had a use for such “conveniences.” At the time, my family lived in our 1 bedroom railroad city apartment, and they lived in suburban multiple level home. And yet, neither one of us knew how to incorporate this multi-functional baby product into our homes. No space, no use…why did I bother with it in the first place? And so, after a few weeks of usage, our Pack n Play sat on a dusty shelf for years until we passed it along to my nephew.
Fast forward to 2012, our Pack n Play found its way back to our home, but this time, it resided in our storage closet. Well, except for one use when I pretended to do yard work. I even brought out the canopy. I was determined to use that bad boy. Ruffly canopy and all. Only problem: I had NO idea how to put this five-year-old device together. I called the husband at work; because, you know, he’s the fixer/putter-togetherer of the home. He HAD to know. No luck…and so, I Googled. Eventually, I found an outdated manual from the manufacturer’s website, and was able to put together my Pack n Play…an hour or so after everything was said and done. And then I did the 15 minutes of yard work and called it a day and went inside. All that effort…
Anyway, I did another little video to show just how inconvenient said Pack n Play is when you throw a crying baby and anxious big kid into the mix.
Giveaway
There IS a better way, my friends, and the 4moms Breeze is it. I can’t emphasize how awesome this play yard is, and how it has redefined the concept overall, except by this:
Not only were my friends at 4moms so kind to ask me to participate in the fun Breeze Blog Tour, but they’re letting me give one to a lucky NKT reader. From what I read, the initial pre-order production has already sold out, so, the Breeze, not surprisingly, is in high demand.
To enter to win:
Please comment below and tell me your favorite features of the 4moms Breeze.
For additional entries:
Become a fan of 4moms
Become a fan of The Next Kid Thing
Tweet about this giveaway: I’m entering the @4moms Breeze giveaway via @jenrab and The Next Kid Thing #4momsBreeze
Full disclosure: a review sample of the Breeze was provided to facilitate this review but, as always, all opinions on NKT are my own.
