Play Mat

butterflylady

Evening all,

I am hoping that you can help. I have a 14 week old DD who is extermley active.

I currently have a play gym but am constanly having to free her legs as when she rolls over she gets caught on the polls.

I have been looking at a large play/activity mat, I really liked the tiny love super mat, however this is out of stock everywhere and I would like one asap.

So I am asking for recommendations for ones that you have used and found entertaining for your babies.

Thanks

Butterfly

Chakani

I just used a waterproof backed picnic mat from the supermarket, and put some toys and books on it that were appropriate to his age and stage. Much more MSE, and ideal for nappy-free time, and we still use the mat now nearly 2 years on, with different toys, obviously!

purplegirluk1

I had this Taff Toys mat for my son http://www.amazon.co.uk/Halilit-TAF10955-Taf-Toys-Smart/dp/B001FVRXRG/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_1_1

It have lots of different textures, squeeks and sounds, a mirror and six removable toys. It is really big too so great when they start to roll. I bought a second hand one from ebay for under £20 and then sold it on again for the same when my LO had out grown it.

ChrisCobra

Picking up your kids , talking to the and playing with them might help ,

butterflylady

Thank you for both of the suggestions, I am looking for something which is easy to pack up as it will be used at my house and my parents house.

ChrisCobra wrote: »

Picking up your kids , talking to the and playing with them might help ,

In regards to the above, what a load of rubbish, I cuddle talk and play with my DD but it is not possible to do this for every second of every day. To aid my DD's physical development it is importmant that she rolls, strengths her neck muscles, moving her arms and legs in preperation for crawling and walking!!

AnnaLicious_2

ChrisCobra wrote: »

Picking up your kids , talking to the and playing with them might help ,

That was a rather snarky and unhelpful comment, I wonder why you wanted to insult the OP? Are you having a bad day, or thought it was funny? Children need to be put down on the floor to play, it's crucial to their development. How else do they strengthen their muscles, learn to roll over, learn to sit up, or learn to crawl? Play gyms aren't about ignoring your baby. Why is there always this quick assumption if a mother buys anything to entertain her baby it's a selfish action so we can run off to the kitchen to drink a g&t and ignore the little ones?

Anway, to the OP question! I found around 14 weeks I had to give up on play gyms for the same reason. Her little legs would wrap round the poles. I have our winter duvet on the floor with pillows around the edges. I've put toys around the sides, so it encourages her to roll to them. I have bigger pillows down also, that I sit on while I play with her.

She's 7 months old now, and I arrange them as an obstacle course for her now. She's a little wiggle worm and rolls across the whole room and over the pillows. No play gym will contain her!

butterflylady

Anna,

Thank you so much for your support!! I had to laugh at the G&T comment, I'm breastfeeding and would love a drink on occassion but will hold off until she is weaned!!

jcr16

both my boys loved laying on a cot duvet as a play mat. it was alot bigger than most play mats, so baby had more room to roll around and explore. i would place on it some soft toys, rattles etc. they had a winnie the pooh one. it was very easy to wash also. all my little ones have crawled at around 5 months and walked at 9 months, and i found using a cot duvet as a mat grew with them for alot longer than activity mats, due to it being being bigger. infact the duvet is still in really good condition and in loft for baby nuber 4.

duloch

I just bought 1 from argos in the sale, it wasnt as big as I would have liked but it will be handy to take to other people houses when we visit. I like the idea about using a duvet cover and adding his own toys as well.

Evansangel

I got the foam puzzle on for my 20 week old, got it today and she likes it

We have laminate flooring so had to have something slightly cushioned for her

It was £5 from ebay

AnnaLicious_2

butterflylady wrote: »

Anna,

I'm breastfeeding and would love a drink on occassion but will hold off until she is weaned!!

My baby is bottle fed and I've still not had a drink for ages! If you think of all the months you were trying to get pregnant, then were pregnant, then don't have the time or energy for a drink... I think she'll be at university before that G&T arrives in my overtired hand!