How can I corral my massive baby DS?

[MamaFormerlyKnownAsGlam]

We're at the point where 6mo DS is too big for his bouncy chair and can roll alarmingly quickly SAS style around the room. I would like to be able to put him somewhere that I know will be safe and enjoyable while I get on with other stuff, like hanging out washing, having a pee etc. My problem is that he's a big boy, weighs 20lb and is very tall to boot.
Now, I thought baby walkers/activity stations were out of favour but there are lots about. We live in a flat so no stairs so I was looking into getting something like that. But they all state that baby must be no bigger than 25lb or 85 cm. He'll be those numbers by Christmas at this rate.

So, I don't know what to do. I'm not after caging him up, just somewhere he is comfortable and I know he's not going to get into a tricky situation.

Advice needed!! DS may wake up very soon so I'll check back in a bit, [hopeful emoticon] Thank you!

[meep]

we used this from around 6 months.

What about a door bouncer?

[Romy7]

we had something similar to meep.

by christmas he won't thank you for being coralled anywhere as he'll be crawling and pulling up and (gulp) maybe even trying to walk.
we used door bouncer and walker and activity station. if you mean 'out of favour' because of the anke/knee/ hip thing - we got ours cleared by the physio for dd2. physio completely unable to explain why they had such a bad rep. if you are only using them for half an hour or so then it's no issue - if you're going to wedge him in it all day, then maybe....
some of the sctivity stations open up once they are crawling and walking so that they are stand and play activities, rather than circular 'trap me inside' things...

play pen?

ds was 16lbs at 10 weeks - we didn't weigh him after that, we could tell by the fat overhangs where his knees should be that he wasn't failure to thrive...

[VictorianSqualor]

We're going to get a playpen for DS2, never used one for the other two but I think we'll need one for his safety what with two bigger kids running around all over the place plus four kittens!

I quite like this one but think DS1 might get jealous lol.

I want one of these

How old does the bumbo go up to? I'm not sure if they can escape them. Also a highchair? with some toys? You can get ones with suction pads so they will stick to the tray and he can't just throw them off.

[meandmyjoe]

Bumbos are pretty good but my ds hated his but he hated most things but they are a really simple design and are really comfy and easy to keep clean. Agree with the jumparoo/ activity station idea, also just cos he's 20lbs now doesn't mean he'll be over 25 lbs by Christmas. My ds was 20lbs at 6 months but he slowed down a lot when he went on solids, he's 25lbs now but is over a year old. x

[CJMommy]

We Have the same as Meep, Learn and Groove activity centre. DS loves it but he's only in it when I need to do stuff e.g. have a wee and that way, he doesn't get bored of it either. they are expensive but I managed to get a brand new one off E-bay for half the price!

[MamaFormerlyKnownAsGlam]

Thanks for all your messages. I already have a door bouncer which I kept after my DD outgrew it. He does like going in it but 10 mins seems to be his maximum amount of tolerance.
I like the look of the Leapfrog Mobile Disco though, so might get one of those.
We have a very snall flat so I'm not sure we could fit a playpen in without us all having to sit in it. And, the temptation of getting in it myself and staying there may become too great.

Thanks a lot, lots of food for though there.

[MrsMattie]

Playpen. I used one for things like answering the door / answering the phone / going to the loo / checking on food cooking in the kitchen etc when DS was that age.

[Naetha]

my DS is 7mo and crawling like mad - I have no idea how I would have made it this far without this:

Rainforest Jumperoo

It is seriously good - DS loves it, and will happily stay in it for up to an hour. It's a safe place where he can't do himself an injury, but he also has a lot of fun in it, so I don't feel guilty. It's also made his legs very strong from all that bouncing, and he loves standing up now.

[MatNanPlus]

VS the baby dan is nice but not that roomy unless you put two together.

The gates tho are fab and you can cordon off a baby safe area in the daytime that can be returned to adult use in the evening which is nice.

It would mean a baby place MFKAG without making your flat hard for adult use at other times

[MatNanPlus]

The Jumparoo limits are Maximum Weight: 25 lbs. (11.3 kg)
Maximum Height: 32? (81 cm)

[MamaFormerlyKnownAsGlam]

MatNanPlus, I hadn't thought of the gates like that, in that they don't impact upon the space when the children are in bed. My only fear is that he is going to get frustrated and implore me through the bars to be let out.
I think the Jumparoo is possibly not worth me buying at this advanced () stage but it did look good.

[Naetha]

Bummer - didn't realise jumperoo max weight was 25lbs - DS is already 22lbs...

[ThatBigGermanPrison]

he will be those numbers by Christmas - but I'm afraid sooner or later you are going to have to babyproof your flat. You can't corral him forever.

Get door gates on the kitchen and bathroom doors, and babyproof the bedrooms and living room. It's better to do it now, when he's just rolling, than suddenly have to do it in February when all of a sudden he will not tolerate being corralled, can stand, pull up, crawl, climb, and possibly walk.

Do it now!

[Egg]

We have babydan playpen. I know you said you don't want to cage him but at least he can move about in a pen, unlike in a walker etc where he is stuck in one position (ok can move round room but still stuck inside bouncer. I have 7 month old DTs who both go in our playpen together. DS2 is prob 19lbs and DD only about 13lbs but it is roomy enough for both. Can be used to section off bits of room instead.

DS2 also does SAS rolls! Makes me laugh.

[christywhisty]

Agree a baby would have a lot more freedom in a playpen, than being stuck in an activity centre or bumbo. Baby walkers are not safe for a baby to be left in, they need more supervision than a rolling baby a they move so fast in them.

[MatNanPlus]

TY MFKAG is was VS's link but have used similar in the past, except we used 2 baby dans opened out.

The good thing is that you could be in the area with him for the most part, a nice bean bag inside and a table outside for drinks/snacks and your sorted, no different to if you had a playroom just that you could remove in the evening so really does make it dual use.

Stair/safety gates on the doorways, the fixed ones are better than the pressure ones - i say this as most fixed ones don't have a big bar at the bottom to trip step over and a bigger opening so less bruises easier to pass thru and they will not move if rattled by a child wishing freedom, i find putting the gates over dorrways and at top&nbottom of stairs means rooms like the hallway can be gated to make a different play space

[HonoriaGlossop]

A playpen is what you need - agree. Safer than any sort of sitting activity centre; if you need the loo/put washing out you will have proper peace of mind if he's in a playpen. Tis what they were invented for!

[ELB1]

What about using a travel cot as a playpen? You'd get double use out of it if you ever need to go away - and again, you can fold it up and put it out of sight when you want the place back to yourselves when he's in bed?
For my DD, I have a great plastic paddling pool that is in the shape of a boat - it's solid plastic as opposed to the inflatable type, but I don't know where you'd get one from as I was given it by SIL who's DS is now 11, so it's quite old. DD loves being in it filled with lightweight plastic balls which were darn cheap from Tesco! I can leave her in there for ages. She also loves the door bouncer, but like your DS will only manage 10 - 15 minutes at a time, and I do feel I need to watch her as she is all over the place in there going wild and am worried she will bash her head on the door frame!

[MamaFormerlyKnownAsGlam]

I'm very glad I posted this as it has made me realise that I have to actually do the things I have been talking about for months.It's been over 7 years since my DD was this age and I think she became this mobile slightly later. I think I've been taken unawares.

We're in a small flat so just need a gate for the kitchen initially but quite like the idea of a playpen now. Hmm, will think about this on the way to get fridge and cupboard locks. And socket covers.

Cheers!