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What Playards Are Sleep Rated in Canada?

Snuggle Bugz | | Comments 0
 

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Choosing a playard for your baby can feel surprisingly complicated, especially when sleep safety is your top priority. If you’ve ever wondered which playards are actually sleep rated in Canada, you’re not alone. Between bassinet modes, playard modes, and confusing cross-border terminology, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

This guide breaks it all down for Canadian parents. We’ll explain what “sleep rated” really means in Canada, why some popular playards are approved for sleep in one mode but not another, and which playards are approved for unsupervised sleep. We’ll also walk through some of the most popular playards on the market so you can make a confident, informed decision. 

TL;DR:

What Does “Sleep Rated” Mean in Canada?

Canada has some of the strictest sleep safety standards in the world. When a product is considered “sleep rated,” it must meet extremely specific requirements, down to the millimetre, set out by the Canadian government.

This is why you’ll often see differences in product naming between countries. In the U.S., many products are marketed as travel cribs or travel bassinets. In Canada, those same products are often referred to as playards or playpens, even if they are approved for sleep elsewhere.

The key reason? Canada regulates sleep products differently depending on the category.

Canadian Sleep Product Categories Explained

In Canada, there are separate regulations for:

  • Cribs
  • Cradles
  • Bassinets
  • Playpens (Playards)

Cribs, cradles, and bassinets must meet standards for unsupervised sleep. Playpens do not require sleep approval, even though they must meet very strict safety regulations of their own.

Important to know: All playards sold in Canada meet Canadian playpen regulations, which were updated as recently as 2018. These standards ensure products are safe for play and supervised rest—but not necessarily for overnight or unsupervised sleep.

You can learn more about the official standards here:

Why Some Playards Are Approved for Sleep in Bassinet Mode Only

Many modern playards include a bassinet insert or bassinet mode. In Canada, a playard may be:

  • Approved for sleep in bassinet mode, but
  • Not approved for unsupervised sleep in playard mode

This usually comes down to mattress height, firmness, sidewall construction, and how the sleep surface meets bassinet-specific regulations. Once the bassinet insert is removed and the mattress is lowered, the product is treated as a playpen and different rules apply.

This distinction is extremely important for parents researching safe sleep options.

Detailed Breakdown

Nuna SENA & Nuna SENA Aire

Bassinet Mode: Yes
Playard Mode: Not approved for unsupervised sleep

The Nuna SENA and SENA Aire are approved for sleep only when using the bassinet insert. Playard mode meets Canadian playpen regulations but is not approved for unsupervised sleep.

  • Bassinet suitable for babies unable to push up onto their hands and knees, up to 15 lbs.
  • Playard suitable for children unable to climb out unassisted, up to 30 lbs and measuring less than 35 inches

Bugaboo Stardust

Bassinet Mode: Yes
Playard Mode: Not approved for unsupervised sleep

The Bugaboo Stardust is approved for sleep only when used with the bassinet inlay and the accompanying mattress support board. Playard mode is only compliant with Canadian playpen standards, not unsupervised sleep.

  • Bassinet suitable for babies unable to push up onto their hands and knees, up to 19.8 lbs.
  • Playard suitable for children unable to climb out unassisted, up to 33 lbs

BabyBjörn Play Yard Light

Bassinet Mode: N/A (no bassinet mode)
Playard Mode: Not approved for unsupervised sleep

The BabyBjörn Play Yard Light does not have a bassinet mode. Playard mode meets Canadian playpen regulations but is not approved for unsupervised sleep.

Important: In the U.S., this product is often marketed as a “travel crib,” but it does not meet Canada’s standards for unsupervised sleep. It remains fully compliant with Canadian playpen regulations for supervised play and rest.

  • Playard suitable for children unable to climb out unassisted, up to 3 years old

Silver Cross Slumber Playard & Travel Crib

Bassinet Mode: Yes
Playard Mode: Yes

The Silver Cross Slumber is approved for unsupervised sleep in both bassinet and playard modes.

  • Bassinet suitable for babies up to 20 lbs or when the baby is starting to push up or can roll over
  • Playard suitable for children unable to climb out unassisted or measuring less than 35 inches

UPPAbaby Remi Playard

Bassinet Mode: Yes
Playard Mode: Not approved for unsupervised sleep

The UPPAbaby Remi is approved for sleep in bassinet mode. While the playard mode meets Canadian playpen regulations, it is not approved for unsupervised sleep.

  • Bassinet suitable for babies up to 20 lbs
  • Playard suitable for children unable to climb out unassisted or measuring less than 35.4 inches

Maxi-Cosi Swift

Bassinet Mode: Yes
Playard Mode: Not approved for unsupervised sleep

The Maxi-Cosi Swift is approved for sleep only in bassinet mode. Playard mode meets Canadian playpen regulations but is not approved for unsupervised sleep.

  • Bassinet suitable for babies up to 15 lbs or until they can roll over
  • Playard suitable for children unable to climb out unassisted or measuring less than 35 inches

Maxi-Cosi Calao

Bassinet Mode: Yes
Playard Mode: Yes

The Maxi-Cosi Calao is approved for unsupervised sleep in both bassinet and playard modes.

  • Bassinet suitable for babies up to 15 lbs or until they can roll over
  • Playard suitable for children unable to climb out unassisted or measuring less than 35.4 inches

A Note on Overnight Sleep & Safe Sleep Practices

If you choose to use a playard for overnight sleep while travelling or away from home, as many families do, always follow safe sleep guidelines:

  • Use only the firm mattress provided by the brand; never add extra padding or toppers.
  • Place the baby on their back for sleep.
  • Keep the sleep space free of loose blankets, pillows, toys, or soft bedding.
  • Supervise sleep whenever possible and place the playard in your room for room-sharing.

Safe sleep combines product knowledge with good sleep habits, ensuring your baby rests safely whether at home or on the go.

Final Thoughts

Understanding which playards are sleep rated in Canada can feel overwhelming, but knowledge truly is power. Canadian regulations are designed to protect babies, even when they feel extra strict compared to other countries.

Whether you’re looking for a playard with a sleep-approved bassinet, or one of the rare options approved for unsupervised sleep in both modes, the best choice is the one that fits your baby’s needs, and gives you peace of mind.

Trust your parenting instincts. You’ve got this.

Disclaimer: Sleep at the playard level is ultimately a parent’s decision. We know busy parents often look for convenient, on-the-go sleep solutions. Do your research, weigh the options, and follow your gut — you know your child best.