to wonder about health visitors and playpens?

[misslinnet]

We got a playpen for DS (now 10 months) after he started crawling.

DS can now get into all sorts of potentially dangerous mischief if left alone, so it's useful to have somewhere safe to put him if I have to be in another room - i.e. popping to the loo, or in the kitchen preparing dinnner and so on.

Health visitor rang today and says they'll be round in a few days to do DS's 7 - 8 month development check-up.

I'm slightly concerned that she'll see the playpen in the living room, and think that we're cruel parents who leave DS in it for hours on end. And therefore wondering if I should hide the playpen while the health visitor's round.

But I'm not sure if I'm being a bit silly and overthinking things. Am I?

As long as it's not one of these (number 6) you should be fine

Soz! Not sox, sox would. E stupid

Throws iPad out the sodding window

look, HVs see some v sad sights! they let out a sigh of relief when they go to homes where children have clean bums and full tummies and love and toys..
they don't care if there's a pile of ironing or if you have a playpen

We call ours 'baby jail!'

My friends husband called it 'the cage' to the HV.... :)

Hebiegebies - first time my mum saw the playpen, she lectured me about how she'd hated being put in a playpen when she was little while my granny was doing the housework. And then she pointedly said nothing when I protested that DS didn't seem to mind it for short periods.

Although she was quick enough to stick DS in his jumperoo when I asked her to keep an eye on him while I put the washing away
Like that's any better than a playpen with toys in it....

So, I was concerned that most people would have the same view on playpens as my mum. Seems not

ThisWeekonFancyPuffin - that 'playpen' outside the window is insane. How could anyone think that's a good idea?

I think there would be a lot less posts on here about how people cant possibly get the housework done during the day because they have a toddler to look after if they were to buy a playpen.

My HV saw my playpen and was very impressed, she said I obviously take my baby's safety very seriously and it was a shame people don't use them as much these days

One of the Mitford sisters had that playpen. I can't recall which? The one who married a communist.
I dont mean this as recommendation btw.

ThisWeekonFancyPuffin, I want one of those!! OK, my DCs are 6 and 5 but I'm sure I could squeeze them in, lol!

Puffin I love that linked article. Men bfing

play pens do seem dated. great for safety moments I'm sure but bad if over used

My HV was only concerned about childproofing and safety. I really don't think they worry about short spells in a playpen (some of them are huge anyway). Don't worry!

I don't tink they are dated. Kids still need to be kept safe and there is a lot more dangerous stuff in the average home now.
And kids aren't strapped into prams for hours like they used to be.

I don't think it is any more or less harmful to plonk a baby on a mat with its toys than in a cage on a mat with its toys.

I think pens are like reigns. People project stuff onto them.

they DEFINITELY have a place and time

when DS was mobile but not old enough to understand danger I put him in while cooking/draining boiling water etc

A 7 - 8 month check? Your HVs are keen! I have avoided all HV appointments since the first one with the first child.

I have the Lindam playden, i love it it even has a tent.
Now my youngest is coming up to 2, she only goes in when im cooking but my other dds all love playing in it when its in tent mode

I had a series of gates to corral my kids when I was cooking otherwise they would be crawling into the kitchen and I didn't think it was safe. I think playpens are really useful. If you need to answer the door, have a wee, at least you know they will be safe.

Agree with monkeymoma I used my playpen when ds was crawling about and I needed to go upstairs or cook etc, I used to put him in it with a pile of toys and soft books and he was more than happy and most importantly, he was safe

I think they're great as long as they're not overused

If you've got one of these, I'd be inclined to close the curtains...

i.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/article/8/6/2/71862_v1.jpg

I wouldn't worry really. It's a standard for lots of people to have a playpen.

We had a Babydan/Babyden?? at one point. It looked like a cage. The HV never batted an eyelid.