Graco Totblock

Parents beware...

Strengths: Size, Foldable

Weakness: Definitely not hygienic, Bottom doesn't stay flat

The layout of our house doesn't permit to have a dedicated room for baby, and gates weren't an option either. Therefore I needed to find a comfortable, and decent size playpen for my baby to play in whenever necessary. This one was basically the only one with bigger dimensions than port-a-cribs, which are often described as playpens. Also, I liked the mesh vs. wood as I was worried about my baby...
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The layout of our house doesn't permit to have a dedicated room for baby, and gates weren't an option either. Therefore I needed to find a comfortable, and decent size playpen for my baby to play in whenever necessary.

This one was basically the only one with bigger dimensions than port-a-cribs, which are often described as playpens. Also, I liked the mesh vs. wood as I was worried about my baby hitting the railings and hurting herself, and appreciated the fact that it was foldable.

The problems with this product are the following:
The bottom part is actually 4 panels (of what I believe is plywood), covered with a thin foam padding, on top of which is a kind of nylon fabric which is wrapped around the entire panel base. The 4 panels system is necessary to allow the playpen to fold. But after not only 2 months of use, the panels would tend to go one on top of the other, which would make it not even (my daughter has always been light, so weight wasn't a concern, and she didn't even crawl or stand up at that time).

The foam tends to slide, and ends up not covering fully the corners of the playpen.

But what I'm really upset at, is the fact that you cannot remove the fabric (note that everything is sewn together from top to bottom, except for the panel system), so when baby perspires (which will happen, as the base is made with a nylon fabric), or salivates on the top "bars", or has an accident, you cannot wash anything! That is really disgusting!

Also, the manufacturer tells you that you are not to put anything to cover the base, and doesn't sell replacements.

I nevertheless ended up making my own fitted sheets (the playpen is square, and no sheets on the market can fit it), and sewed 12 long rubans of fabric (3 on each side) at the end of which I sew velcro on, so that they secure everything in the middle underneath, and there's no way for baby to be able to remove my fitted sheet or get entangled in my fabric. I didn't want to remove the original fabric as there are some velcros pieces on it that will maintain the playpen closed once folded. Nylon is hard to deal with when sewing it, and I'm not a pro.

I really wished the manufacturer had given better thought when making this playpen, for instance they could have added a zipper in the middle (underneath), which would allow moms to clean the fabric whenever needed.

The bottom line is that, I wouldn't have purchased this product if I knew what I know now.

By sampere1 - Sep 12, 2008

When I put my 4 1/2 month old in...

Strengths: Bright colors; fun toys; soft, comfortable floor. Assembles and disassembles quickly and easily. Lots of room to play.

Weakness: None so far

When I put my 4 1/2 month old in this playard for the first time, she squealed for about 15 minutes straight. She's still too little to sit up by herself, but that didn't stop her from having a good time. There is so much to look at that she lay there making noise, touching the designs on the floor and trying to roll over. I really think this will help her to learn coordination and how to do...
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When I put my 4 1/2 month old in this playard for the first time, she squealed for about 15 minutes straight. She's still too little to sit up by herself, but that didn't stop her from having a good time. There is so much to look at that she lay there making noise, touching the designs on the floor and trying to roll over. I really think this will help her to learn coordination and how to do things such as sit and roll. Also, I love that it is in such fun, bright colors. Almost all playards are so drab and depressing, probably because parents look for furniture to match their own decor. Forget it - let babies be babies! When your child rolls around laughing you won't care whether or not the playpen matches the drapes!

By carye - Dec 1, 2003

Getting back to the a fun playpen

Strengths: colorful, good noise makers on the sides, large, well-padded, quality, easy to put up/take down

Weakness: none

Great find! I wanted to find a "playpen" for my 6 month old daughter that didn't resemble the pack-n-play that she has for taking naps. This TotBlock is perfect! The colors are bright and cheery, the characters are fun to look at and have squeakers and crunchy sounds in them, and it's larger than a traditional pack-n-play so there is more room for moving around. I was surprised at how large it is...
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Great find! I wanted to find a "playpen" for my 6 month old daughter that didn't resemble the pack-n-play that she has for taking naps. This TotBlock is perfect! The colors are bright and cheery, the characters are fun to look at and have squeakers and crunchy sounds in them, and it's larger than a traditional pack-n-play so there is more room for moving around. I was surprised at how large it is and feel very comfortable leaving my daughter in it for 10 minutes or so when I need to tend to my 2 year old or run to the bathroom. I like the fact that it doesn't come with the bassinet or changing table and everything else that normally comes with other play areas. It's simple, well-designed, and perfect for what I was looking for. Great job Graco!

By bperry422 - Jun 11, 2007

Luvin It

Weakness: Little on the shallow side

I used this playpen at my friend's house in order to keep my 3 month old 'safe' from the group of toddlers who were over. I checked out the design pretty well and liked the product enough to buy one myself. It is very difficult to find a traditional playpen in a day and age of 'pack N plays'. I like this product for its strudy floor and easy pop-up open. The bright colors are a plus also. I would...
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I used this playpen at my friend's house in order to keep my 3 month old 'safe' from the group of toddlers who were over. I checked out the design pretty well and liked the product enough to buy one myself. It is very difficult to find a traditional playpen in a day and age of 'pack N plays'. I like this product for its strudy floor and easy pop-up open. The bright colors are a plus also. I would suggest this over a pak N play any day!

By anonymous; - May 2, 2006

Pros and Cons of Graco Totblock

PROS:Bright and delightful colors, Interactive toys, Sturdy construction. CONS:Floor mat is difficult to wash. REVIEW:Your baby will surely have great fun with the bright colors and large interactive bug designs while you will appreciate the padded comfort and portability, as well as the quick setup time of the Graco Totblock. Made for babies and toddlers up to 30 pounds in weight or 34 inches...
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By intellireview.com - Aug 3, 2011