Baby activity centre vs play pen (for temporary safety)

Yama_2

Help! (I hope this is the right forum)

My 11 months old favourite activity is pulling up to standing (unsteadily) or navigating towards anything you don't want them near

For moments when a lady needs to powder her nose, or prepare their lunch I need to keep my baby restrained and safe for a few minutes otherwise they'd be mayhem and bumped heads! I have one of those baby bouncy chairs, but they have just worked out how to escape from it so now have nothing secure to keep them in one place (sitting still isn't in their repertoire and they can crawl as fast as I walk). I fear getting out of the high chair is next, so probably a no-no there also.

I was initially thinking about a playden but saw some activity tables which would probably suit them better, although not sure how safe they are. The only other problem is space as my living/dining/kitchen rooms are *really* small so can't really accommodate any moderate to large items. Any recommendations - they seem expensive so don't want to just rush out and find that it's unsuitable?

mrcow

I just used the travel cot. Put some toys in it and use it when needed.

flutterbyuk25

My parents used a playpen to keep my brother safe when we were little. Although it was to keep me from killing him rather than to stop him touching things he shouldn't! :rotfl:Apparently I didn't take well to the new arrival!

x

PrincessPlaty

I used a travel cot with my two also and will be again with this one

They are great until they learn to climb out of them :rotfl: but you should have a while before you get to that stage

Gingham_Ribbon

I don't know what a baby activity centre is, but I used a playpen with our first. I kept special toys in it that he only played with in there. It would give me an occasional couple of minutes.

pookienoodle

we used a baby dan playpen for our son,these are great as you can also use them as a room barrier or safety gate.
he had loads of toys in there and he loved it,often when we were in the room with him he used to get us to open the door so he could go in and play.
we recently gave in to my husbands neice and our son(now 3) told he he was giving away his "toy corner".

fernliebee

I just used to take my DD with me whichever room I was in. She could sit up at 4 months and roll around the room, crawl at 6 months and climb at 7 months so she has always been very active. I never even had a high chair I could leave her in. However I am now PG with baby no 2 and with a just 2 yr old and a baby to think about we will see how I fare this time (I'll probably be referring back to this thread )

I would say if you have a travel cot, use that and see how they go in there, no point buying something new if you don't have to. Like Gingham says it is a good idea to have something special that they only get to play with when they are in there.

mumslave

my wee-est one is 13 months and he is into all sorts, but no pens for him! He just follows me about and raids my cupboards/pulls my dvd's out/throws toys around. I wouldnt have it any other way, he is my wee shadow! At present he has a chunk of my thigh in a chubby fist whilst gawping at show me show me on the tv.

Thats me though, so yes use a pen, but as they get older, you are goin to have to teach bubs whats okay and whats not...I always find its far better to start earlier than later!

Greener_Grass

My son is 10 months and has been cruising for 2 months. I can't put him in anything. We used to have a travel cot up with toys in it but as soon as he could stand up he would just stand up and cry. He out grew his jumperoo at 7 months so we have got quite used to not being able to put him anywhere safe. If i need to go to the toilet I just go and he always follows me, If i'm making his lunch I go to the kitchen and he stands at the baby gate at the door watching! If i need 5 mins to do something sitting eating something in his highchair in front of baby tv always works

starbump

I use a travel cot specifically as a playpen. Ditto the cot upstairs, when necessary.

shazrobo

i had a playpen when my two were little, twins get up to so much more mischief than just one little one