Choosing a pack and play or playard for your baby can be a confusing — and a lot of your decision is doing to depend on your usage needs.
Many people use playards like the Chicco Alfa Lite Nest Travel Playard primarily for travel, providing a safe place to sleep on road trips or visits to friends or grandparents’ houses. In addition to sleep, pack and plays are also used as “playards,” offering a contained place to play.
For my household, however, we were seeking a pack and play that could be used as a downstairs nap spot or alternative resting spot for our multi-level household. Pack and plays also serve as a great safe spot to place your baby down while in the living room or kitchen.
Is the Chicco Alfa Lite Nest Playard a good option for your needs? Well, the answer depends on what you’re looking for out of your pack and play. In this review, I’ll break down some key points to consider as you shop for this item.
Chicco Alfa Lite Pack and Play Lightweight Travel Playard
What I Love (and Don’t Love)
There’s a lot to love about the Chicco Alfa Lite Travel Playard. First and foremost, if you choose the Chicco Alfa Lite Nest version, you’ll have the included bassinet attachment which is great for little little ones.
The elevated newborn bassinet attachment is very easy to zip on and off. Unless you already have a baby that’s outgrown the newborn phase, I think the $30 price difference makes it well worth it to choose the option with the bassinet. On the downside, choosing the Nest version means you will have less color options than the regular Chicco Alfa Lite playard.
I also love how easy assembly and folding of this product is. It can be folded and packed away with or without the bassinet attachment on. The frame is very lightweight, as are the included mattresses. Like most pack and plays, the mattress is designed to be very thin and firm to create a safe sleeping space for your baby.
Because of the integrated strap/buckle design, it is recommended that you use only Chicco branded sheets if you wish to add sheets. There are very limited color options in the available Chicco Alfa Lite sheets (something I wish Chicco would add more of). While you can use third-party sheets if you wish, you run the risk of them coming up and not having a fully smooth, safe sleeping space for your child.
Specifications
- Baby Size: Up to 30 lbs or 35” tall.
- Item Weight: 15 lbs.
- Dimensions (When collapsed): 21 Inches (H) x 9.5 Inches (W) x 24 Inches (D).
- Dimensions (Interior): 23.5 Inches (H), 23.5 Inches (W), 23.5 Inches (D).
- Material: Polyester, Plastic (Frame).
Who Will Like the Chicco Alfa Lite Nest Playard
If you’re looking for a solid second downstairs sleep area for your baby or an easy, lightweight travel crib, I think you’ll love this product. It’s simple to use right out of the box, folds easily, and is ultra-lightweight. I think it’s also a great option for it’s streamlined, simple look that doesn’t add a clunky or bulky look to your living room. I would not use this as my primary nightly sleep space for my baby.
There’s a few key limitations worth considering. The low height could make reaching over the frame difficult for shorter parents to remove a child from the playard portion. That said, the zip-up door could be an option to safely place and remove a child from the container.
If you like the other color options of the Alfa Lite such as the Midnight (dark charcoal color) or the Dove (light grey), you’ll also find that these do not come in the Nest version at this time. Right now, the Alfa Lite Nest only comes in the Serene (beige/brown) color option. There are also limited sheet options to pair with the Chicco Alfa Lite Nest Playard.
Pros
- Very lightweight.
- Neutral colors.
- Comes with carry bag.
- Zip on bassinet.
- Zip open side door for play.
- Low-chemical materials.
- Easy to fold.
Cons
- Bassinet attachment only in certain colors.
- Max height of 35 inches.
- No diaper changing station.
- Limited additional features.
- Requires specialty sheets with limited options.
- Low height.
In My Expert Opinion
If you want a simple and visually-pleasing travel playard/pack and play, I think the Chicco Alfa Lite Nest makes a great option. Made by a brand around for years, this travel playard feels sturdy, easy-to-use, and reliable.
I like that the neutral color scheme of the “Serene” color blends into my home’s decor rather than stick out like an eyesore. While this isn’t the most sophisticated, hefty, or feature-heavy pack and play on the market, it provides a safe and comfortable place for your child to sleep and an easy option to use as a travel crib when on the go.
Chicco Alfa Lite Pack and Play Lightweight Travel Playard
The Chicco Alfa Lite is available as the original pack and play or in the Chicco Alfa Lite Nest version, which includes a bassinet zip-on attachment. There are more color options without the bassinet, however, I find the bassinet attachment very helpful to use as a “downstairs” crib in our household and another safe place to put the baby down. The simplicity of this product is why I love it — no need to learn 100 bells and whistles to have a comfortable place for baby to sleep.
