Do parents still use playpens?

Mrs.W_2

Living on three levels, I use plenty of stair gates. And a playpen makes the terrible-twos a lot more bearable. I know that if I need to nip to the front door or take something from the oven, my daughter is safe for that couple of minutes in the playpen.

My youngest is an extremely willful child. She treats "No!" as a challenge, so the pen gives me peace of mind during this phase.

clw1

I have never used one for my LO who is now 3. We had a stairgate at the top & bottom of the stairs and one on the door to the kitchen so if I needed to cook or was popping upstairs for a while I could keep LO contained in just the lounge / hall.

Also don't forget that for at least 6 months the child won't be crawling so they can't go anywhere but just stays where you leave them

hayleyc_2

I've never bothered with one either. They take up too much room and lots of babies/toddlers don't like being trapped in them. We have stair gates but only to stop the baby climbing the stairs. She can go where she likes downstairs and follow me when I'm doing jobs etc. When she and my son were smaller I used to put them in the sling while doing jobs like hanging washing out, cleaning, washing up etc. They'd either watch what I was doing or fall asleep. Once they get to the stage where they can entertain themselves a bit more, I just let them get a few pots out of the cupboard or bring some toys in to the kitchen with me.

Xaniwoop

I bought one but it didn't get much use as a playpen - the only time dd would play happily in it was when I was hanging over the side joining in, which made it a bit pointless.

However I soon fond a much better use for it. I set it up around DH's desk with the computer on it. Now I have a safe place in the lounge to stash anything not baby safe. My friends think it's hilarious that I keep my husband in a playpen!

rachbc

No I've managed to keep my kids safe, get the housework done, and answered 'calls of nature' without needed into cage my children

sock-knitter

when i had my twin sons 16 years ago, i used to use a playpen, as two could cause much more mischief than one, only used it when cooking or nipping to bathroom, or answerin front door

Lotus-eater

Playpens = brilliant!

We've used a big wooden one for both of ours, keeps them safe when you are cooking, or have to answer the door or nip to the loo urgently.

People who don't like them, in my experience, have never tried them.

Once they can climb out, that's when the problems start

Dumyat

I used a travel cot but only for short periods of time if I had to do something, other wise they did have the run of the house with the use of stair gates. The cot was used for stays at grandma's, not sure I would have went to expense otherwise. My kids loved being it , and when they were a bit older and taller used to climb in themselves and have a snooze....always when you didn't want them to have a nap! Kids eh?

minimoneysaver

I didn't use one personally, but I suppose if you're looking to contain your child in a safe environment then a travel cot would do the job and you'll probably be buying one anyways. I have cabin locks on the tops of all of my doors so I can select which rooms my daughter can/can't go in... even now she's 6! It's great when she has a playdate, they can go upstairs and I know that they can't get into my room or any other room I don't want them in.

lovebooks_2

I used one. I've got a dog, and had a huge house at the time. So was great for when I nipped out the room. He got fed up from about 18 months, so got rid of it.

I found a bouncy chair the best thing for the early months, then a jumperoo, to keep the entertained, but constrained.