Do parents still use playpens?

jellyhead

Ooooh, allow me a moment to look down on you ...

No, I think children decide whether they want a dummy or not. I've only had 2 children so am no expert, but the first one was offered a dummy and didn't want it at all, whereas the second one loved it. I was never fond of dummies, but they both had terrible colic so as a last resort it was offered as a possible soother.

Mine both had delayed speech, so I don't feel guilty for giving the younger one a dummy

money_honey

We never used a playpen with DD but I don't see the problem with them. We've used a travel cot on occasion but what worked best for us was a stair gate across the lounge door so DD could still play in the lounge happily while I used the loo/answered the door etc etc.

caroline78

jellyhead wrote: »

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

My DS (17 weeks) also has a dummy and I have been known to put a bit of jam on the end to make him keep it in his mouth...:eek:

Janepig

caroline78 wrote: »

My DS (17 weeks) also has a dummy and I have been known to put a bit of jam on the end to make him keep it in his mouth...:eek:

At least it's not gin :D.

Jxx

Spendless

jellyhead wrote: »

Ooooh, allow me a moment to look down on you ...

No, I think children decide whether they want a dummy or not. I've only had 2 children so am no expert, but the first one was offered a dummy and didn't want it at all, whereas the second one loved it. I was never fond of dummies, but they both had terrible colic so as a last resort it was offered as a possible soother.

Mine both had delayed speech, so I don't feel guilty for giving the younger one a dummy

That was exactly my experience too and the one that had the dummy talked earlier and rabbits on far too much, so it's jsut as well it apparantly slows down their speech cos I'd hate to think how much she'd have nattered otherwise! As her God-father once put it "<name>, you are only allowed to say so many words in one day, and not only are you using tomorrows words, you'll have used a life-times up by the time you're 12" :rotfl:

Couldn't get the hang of reins though, reminded me of when puppys refuse to walk.:D

delain

I loved my reins

My twins are hectic, up until they started school they had to have reins, Twin2 is a real Houdini and just disappears from sight sometimes. Some bloke outside a pub shouted 'Mush!' at me once and said I needed a sled... Although I did have 4 children with me that day but only 2 were on reins Don;t know why I felt the need to justify myself... I wasn't the one slurring with a fag in my gob outside an alky's pub at 3pm :rotfl:

ALIBOBSY

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

I agree with this I hate them=cages for kids yuck.

I have 4 children 13,8,3 and 1 and didn't need a playpen for any of them.

ali x

shellsuit

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

I agree with this I hate them=cages for kids yuck.

I have 4 children 13,8,3 and 1 and didn't need a playpen for any of them.

ali x

Nobody needs a playpen, but they're useful and that's why some parents have them.

Well done, on having 4 children and not feeling the need to buy one though, you must be really proud. :T

aeb_2

I use a big old wooden one for my youngest. It keeps them all safe whilst the older ones play with toys with small pieces. Also stops the little ones intefering with the older ones games. Coming up to two and they ask to go in - I think they feel secure and warm. It's like a den with a duvet over one side, magnetic board tied to another side, pillows, etc, it does look quite inviting. (very [STRIKE]crowded [/STRIKE]cosy for three)

mikey72

shellsuit wrote: »

Nobody needs a playpen, but they're useful and that's why some parents have them.

Well done, on having 4 children and not feeling the need to buy one though, you must be really proud. :T

I agree, but the cupboard under the stairs is just as good.
(It was a good day if I managed to get all of ours in within them escaping. Still, the chains slowed them down)