Do parents still use playpens?

pigpen

I have had one for all of mine some loved it and some hated it.. Squeak loves it and puts herself in.

And in reply to they didnt have them until the 50s.. before this point there was a lot more family about/neighbours to watch LOs while mum did stuff and it was not uncommon for a child to be tied to a table leg or strapped into a pram for hours on end.. Id rather use a cage!

Becles

I had a travel cot and found it handy now and again, like if I was weeding in the garden and didn't want to pick them up with muddy hands if they crawled off a rug.

Most of the time they were just on the floor with me and I chatted or sang about cooking/cleaning the bathroom etc. I think the constant conversation helps with their speech as well.

If the bell went or I needed the toilet, I just picked them up and took them with me.

Never had any safety equipment and never moved any ornaments or bleach or anything like that. Just taught them what they were and were not allowed to touch.

delain

I had one to keep the twins safe from DD1 when they were tiny (less than 2yr age gap) and would happily have a travel cot again to keep baby safe from Squeak (will be 16 months age gap)

Bouncy chairs as mentioned are very good, Squeak hasn't had a playpen, we've had a bit of an ordeal with some things but in general she's very good. I'll put her highchair in the kitchen sometimes and she'll have her lunch whilst I wash up.

I clean the bathroom whilst she sleeps, my bathroom is tiny, no way she could be in there too!

I do shut the gate at the top of the stairs and let her have the run of the hallway/bathroom/DD1's room (she'd find something to choke on in the twins' room) whilst I shower the older ones, but she really likes to stand at the side of the bath and try to get wet in the shower spray. I've learnt the hard way to do this before she has got ready for bed at night or dressed if in the morning

melly_g

I haven't used one with my 3 kids because there was no way they would let me leave them in there. I think they would be ok when they are smaller but would just scream until you pick them up and you'd get nothing done. I know it's hard to get on with doing things when you have a baby but you could use other things such as a baby swing, baby chair, entertainment centre where you put the baby in the middle and they play with all the toys, baby donut. As long as your house is child proof they should be ok to just explore. Obviously all babies are different and it's all about trial and error and seeing what is best for you.Good luck with your baby

stiltwalker

Xaniwoop wrote: »

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!

Love this!

We have a Lindam versatile thing that works as a room divider and a playpen which is mostly used to screen off bits of rooms or the front door on the occaisional warm day so I can leave that open. Will probably start using it more to put DS in it as he wants to spend more time on the floor as his big sis (2) still sometimes has problems with how gentle she needs to be! So will pop him in there for his own protection when nature calls etc until he's big enough to bash back. After that I might keep the OH in it! lol

Alibat

Mine didn't get used much but was wonderful for my peace of mind knowing my DD's were 100% safe during those times when my attention needed to be elsewhere.

sarah*a

My mum used one for me and my younger brother - my brother hated it and would scream and scream - in the end I used to set up my toys/painting easel etc inside it and play inside it as I knew he couldn't bother me while I was safe in my castle

My brother had one (well a travel cot) for his son but they found they didn't use it much but did use a musical chair thing a lot. However they did only have a tiny flat at the time and their second child is due any day now and they have a much bigger house this time around so they will be using the cot again should they need to.

OP - If you like the idea then get one but look on Freecycle/Ebay so that if it doesn't work for you it's not cost you a fortune

moomoomama27

I used a travel cot as a playpen when mine were small to keep them in one place! Also as they got older I'd use stairgates to keep them in one room!

shellsuit

rachbc wrote: »

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

Caging them? Oh purlease! :rotfl:

I used one for all 3 of mine. The elder 2 had a wooden playpen, which was great if I needed to cook or answer a call of nature.

The little man had a playpen come travel cot and I'd use it for the same as above and also for his naps of an afternoon.

A cage...really! :cool:

pinkclouds

I have a metal playpen. The cloth base only fits if it's positioned as a hexagonal, which is quite space-consuming. I have it positioned as a rectangular shape and use rugs/blankets as a base. You can clip those dangly toys to the top bars or just chuck a few soft toys inside. You can even let them watch tv while they're inside.

I have previously used a soft travelcot as a playpen. They do in a pinch but they just aren't as good as the metal ones. You can't see out of the travelcots because the sides are either solid or mesh. You can't clip toys on. The base is prone to damage because it's raised off the ground.

Even with older toddlers/preschoolers, a proper metal playpen is great for whenever you need to keep them safely out of the way e.g. ironing, using hot ovens, unaccompanied toilet breaks, etc. You can climb into them with the kids - they are extremely robust. You can use them for nap-time (do put something down for the "base" - even just a rug or two). You can use them for toy "storage" - chuck everything in at the end of the day and the room looks semi-tidy, even if it all comes back out again tomorrow.

I also have stairgates, top and bottom, and a gate across their bedroom doorway.

I wasn't a big fan of playpens when my first baby was little. Then I had a second child and realised there is no way in the world that I can be in 3 places at once and that sometimes you have to let them cry for a few minutes. Fair play to any other moms who manage without but I would strongly recommend a playpen to any mom who is on their own for lengthy periods of time e.g. hubby on long hours/weeks, single mom, no nearby family, etc.