Playpen or playprison

floss2

I had a lobster-pot one for my DS's, they both were quite happy, lots of toys, a blanket, and able to see what was going on. Again, I put DS2 in there when he was a baby to keep him safe from his brother.

Why not ask on Freecycle?

Gingham_Ribbon

I think for what you're describing a playpen is ideal. If you're already suffering from PND, you need as little stress as possible and worrying about whether your baby is going to be okay won't help if you need to take 5 minutes.

I used one for my first for a few minutes at a time. It's nice to have a couple of toys in there that are only played with in the pen so they are excited about being in there (though I realise not all babies like being in them.) We didn't bother with the second because he wasn't as 'gung-ho' about leaping on the furniture so he wasn't in danger when left alone for a couple of minutes.

Mine was only a tenner from a second hand shop though so it's worth shopping around. A travel cot will not stand up to regular use like this but it's ideal if it's only going to be occasionally and you already have one.

tiamai_d

I would have liked to have had one with DS2 when he was younger. He has hemiplegia so didn't walk till 2 yrs old. He was unstable and I really could not leave him unattended unless in his cot. Luckily he did have 3 or 4 naps in a day (due to his condition) so I managed to get stuff done then. If I had to go to the loo or whatever he either came with (and sat in the bath with toys rather than the floor) or sat in his cot.