Too much time in playpen for toddler?

[lexiss]

This morning DS 17 months woke up at 6am. I got up bf him and put him in the playpen. It is one of those extra large, hexagonal playpens.

Around 6.15 I gave him some water and changed his nappy. Then I went back to bed after making sure the playpen had only safe toys and the baby monitor was plugged in.

I fell asleep and woke up at 8.30. I went out to see DS and he was happily playing with this toys. He is very into small manipulative puzzles, shape boxes, stacking cups etc at the moment and he was busy playing with these.

He had been in the playpen for nearly 2.5 hours! Is this too long? Is there a problem that he plays happliy for this length of time by himself?

Most days I have a nap during the day for an hour or so and DS spends this time in the playpen but I have never left him for 2.5 hours before.

What do you think about this?

If you feel that is neglect you have led a very sheltered life. It doesn't come close to being neglectful.

Anecdotal this, but also widely accepted: all the children I've been closely involved with have been through clingy stages at some point between 11mo and 18mo. Has your child never been clingy Goldenbear?

If it makes you feel better, dd1 walked at 16 months, dd2 at 21 months and ds at 2 (ish as he still occassionally needed a walker)

there that balances the thread out a bit!

Just wow at a baby/ toddler going in a playpen for 2.5 hrs - lucky you. I have 3 dc and 2 minutes would have ended in hysteria !!

Lots of children walk at 9 months, both my nephews did, but it's not a sign of being developmentally advanced.

Both mine walked at 11 months not particularly late or even average in the groups I attended/ attend but MN is like a parallel universe where unbelievable, amazing things happen to people, that conveniently support an argument they are putting forward- funny that?

DSIS walked at 8mo, climbed right of her playpen to do it and all.

I was lazy and quite happy to play all alone for hours gazing at the ceiling.

DM got a break then.

It's not a sign of advanced the same as a 18month old is not behind at starting to walk.

"
I was lazy and quite happy to play all alone for hours gazing at the ceiling. "

la plus que change...

You mean like your friend whose son was conveniently developmentally delayed by the neglect of being left in a cot for an hour?

Oh goldenbear it's fine, I am just words on a screen, funny how you don't want to believe me or anyone else who says this as it does not fit with what you want to hear.

Mines just started walking, he's just turning 14mo.

I really think some of you lot need to get a decent night's sleep whatever it takes and get a sense of perspective on this. And be nicer to the OP.

Unbelievable and amazing is not 8 month walking, 6 months is the world record and with a poster saying 6 months was normal in her family I would say 5 months would be Unbelievable and amazing.

Yes my child has been/ DD is currently clingy but this boy has never left that stage.

sirzy, I have not led a sheltered life, you know fuck all about me and you're not going to know more any time soon. I had an opinion that was not yours about a playpen and cc. Why can't you accept I don't agree with you.

I also think that is neglect. Please dont get cross with me but i think you should see a doctor. Your poor child. This thread has made me feel really sad. I can't believe some people think this is ok. :(

You seem to be the one struggling to accept people with differing opinions. You also seem to be quick to judge people who live their lives differently to you.

You don't have to agree but when you expect others to do as you do and judge if they don't there is something controlling and wrong in that.

formallyknownasloveydarling are you lovebunny on a nc?

would it be better to wait untill he had a snooze and sleep at the same time?

You should take your own advice. inneedofbrandy, you've called me a lentil weaver (as an insult) and told me my opinion is invalid be ause I'm not a single mum.

sirzy, I have said my opinion- do what you want. If you want to take it is a judgement then do so. I do judge those who do CC it is cruel and shit, lazy parenting.

I'm not calling you a bad parent though am I? Iv'e said lentil weaver and precious about your dc but have I called out neglect?

@brandy: what makes you say that?

Oh gawd - I've just walked into a bun fight haven't I!

tbh over stimulating and not let a child develop or have any personal space is not a nice thing. Not neglect but not good to live through your dc either.