Do parents still use playpens?

mummyroysof3

i used one for my first, but by the time the second and third came along i just removed pretty much everything from the living room that was dangerous and put a stairgate on both doors which has been much better for me

peachyprice

Plans_all_plans wrote: »

I think those of us who don't like playpens may have touched a nerve!

Not at all, it's your sanctimonius reply that has hit a nerve.

A simple 'I don't like the idea of playpens' would suffice, there's no need for the 'it's like chaining a child up' response, as clearly putting a child in a safe haven of a playpen is NOTHING like chaining a child up.

But hey, you know best.

Lotus-eater

Alibat wrote: »

I am smiling at playpens being called baby cages or jails. I'd not heard that one before.

I always used to say I'm sticking my DS into his cage, then do an evil laugh my OH would say "Awww, no it's not a cage", which of course it is
But I don't think it damaged either of mine they used to ask to go in sometimes, so they could play with the toys in there and have somewhere soft to sit down.

Marisco

I had a big square wooden playpen for my 2, no stair gates then! It was very handy to put them in, and you knew they were safe, when you had to leave them for short periods. I also had reins, the old leather type with a leather circle in the front. I must have been a shocking mother, "jailing" them and then tying them up!!!!! Mind, they made it to adulthood despite all that - one is 41 the other 37!! They don't seem to make the "old fashioned" reins anymore, I tried everywhere to buy a set when my granddaughter (20) was small, but there was no Amazon and Ebay then!! I might just have a look, although I think I'd have a job getting her to put it on now!!!

DUKE

I didn't read all of the thread so if this has already been said then soz. There's things called fun pods now which I think is a large box that you put your child in Here's one http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=funpod&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=6163058936&ref=pd_sl_936jad08fc_b

TUS

We just used/use stair gates in doorways and ensure the "playroom" (lounge by night) is well child proofed. So we are able to leave the room and know they are safe. But I guess it depends entirely on the layout of your house.

liney

I did buy a BabyDen playpen but never used it, so that was a waste of £90! I never had the need because when he could crawl/walk he followed me everywhere including the loo, and when I was cooking I occupied him with something at the kitchen table, or in his High Chair and didn't leave the stove unattended. We had stair gates, and one that went over his bedroom door when I wanted to hoover the stairs or bleach the bathroom and of course I could place him in his cot as a baby. Ironing was done at night time.

I wouldn't buy one now: wait and see.

Janepig

I had a baby dan play pen (which you could extend across a room if you wanted as it had a gate in the middle) and most of the time it was there with the gate open, but if I went to the toilet or door or anything then I'd just shut the door for afew minutes. Can't say either of mine were massively keen on it, but they were never in it long.

There's none so judgemental as other parents though are there <rolls eyes>.

Jxx

jellyhead

Well, i used reins and my youngest had a dummy, so what would I know about parenting

Janepig

jellyhead wrote: »

Well, i used reins and my youngest had a dummy, so what would I know about parenting

:eek:

Both of mine had dummies so does that make me a worse mum than you? I bought reins too, but didn't use them much. And I realise that my children quite often tell fibs too (see other thread I've contributed to today).

Jxx