Do parents still use playpens?

Volupturaptor

Travel cot user here. I've not childproofed the place, I reckon it can give a false sense of security! I believe there can be no substitute for proper supervision. Travel cot gets used for loo visits/answering the door/putting the rubbish out etc.

caroline78

My baby is only 17 weeks so not crawling yet (although don't think it will be too long till he is, if you hold him on your knee he tries to stand up), but I wouldn't be without mine. Well, it's a travel cot.

We have a small dog who is quite jumpy, but as she is 10 years old we don't want to get rid of her when nature should take it's course soon. I don't trust her 100%, don't think she would bite on purpose but she can get so excited that it's just not worth taking the risk.

We put J's play mat in there, it's one of the ones that has bars going up and over with toys hanging from it, and some other soft toys that he likes to eat. J is quite happy in there, and because the sides are a fine mesh he is able to see out too. He doesn't stay in it all day as he also loves sitting up so we put him in his Bumbo or bouncy chair, and if we are preparing dinner then we have a swing attached to the door frame and he goes in that.

mikey72

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

So putting the walker on bricks so they don't reach the ground was a no-no for you as well?
Or putting them in the bouncy thing in the doorway and winding them up off the floor?

Naide

I used a travel cot which doubled up as a playpen. Our house was a busy one so it helped when I needed to pee, answer the door, etc. I didn't use it for long though. Probably until DS1 was one year old. I didn't use one for DS2 though as he had a play activity centre. When he was able to stand and I used to stick him in there while I had a cuppa, etc. I used to joke that the playpen was for me to escape so no one could reach me!

p00pieb0tt0m

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!

Mum put my sister in the playpen so my sister could have some quiet time away from her 16 month younger boisterous brother.

Plans_all_plans

Not read any replies, but no I would never use a playpen. I think they're horrible things, akin to chaining a child up!

Volupturaptor

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

Not read any repliesQUOTE]

Maybe you should!!

Plans_all_plans

Why do I need to read any other replies?!

She's asking do parents still use playpens. I didn't and wouldn't.

My opinion on them isn't reliant on anyone else's and so I didn't read other's opinions before responding. If I'm out of kilter with the other posters, so be it, but I'm not going to refrain from posting in case someone else doesn't like what I'm saying, or if I'm a lone voice!!

Tigsteroonie

Icey77 wrote: »

My mum used to use one for my sister and I (late 70s) so that she could get some things done whilst we were contained and couldn't come to any harm.

That's exactly what we use ours for - a safe haven for Andrew for short periods when we need to leave him, e.g. answering the door, making a cup of tea.

eta (now that I've read the full thread!) We used to use a travel cot, until we saw a bargain wooden playpen at a recent carboot sale. It sits in the corner of the room, in the same spot where his moses basket sat in the early months and his travel cot in later time. He doesn't object at all to being placed into the playpen - he has different toys in there, so it's a change, and he knows it's only short-term. I do jokingly call it "the cage" :rotfl:

moomoomama27

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

Oh don't be so ignorant!

Not using a playpen/travel cot/highchair/bouncy chair doesn't make you a better parent, sorry to break it to you!