AIBU to have a playpen

[serenadippity]

I have a travel cot set up in the corner behind the sofa. It looks ok - it's the one that converts to a tepee. I'm keeping it there mainly for when my niece calls around with her baby and little boy as it's handy to put the baby in every now and then. But SIL (not DN's mother) is horrified and says that babies should be held and it's a "baby cage". I really don't care what she thinks but would be interested to know the general view from mumsnet.

I had a big wooden one which we used for ds, and when he was older it became a cat pen when one of my boys was in plaster.

Ds would nap in it, whilst I sat with a mug of tea and a book. It also let the cats have some peace when he began to crawl.

I think they’re a great idea if you have room! Keeps baby safe while allowing a bit of independent play/wriggle around! You can’t hold a baby all day!! My baby is preferring to not be held especially whilst weather so hot and sticky! I have to make a makeshift area with cushions and pillows so my 7 month old can wriggle/roll and gum all her toys! How can they learn to crawl, roll over, gain strength etc if they never get put down!

We have one, it’s an essential when I need to do something and cannot risk leaving the whirlwind unattended.

Usually she’s quite happy sitting in there with toys and watching tv (after the initial fury).

They are far preferable to a baby injuring itself if the parent needs to take its eyes off it for a few moment. A friend of mine had three at one point, one for each triplet.

They are also useful for putting the Christmas tree in to stop a crawling baby trying to climb it or eat the baubles.

Wouldn't have survived being a sahm without one, especially in the early days. DS always woke up before me so I'd see to him first, have breakfast together then into jail he'd go while I had a shower. He learned to play on his own quite happily in there, and still does, although no more than 10-15 mins these days sadly

Rather a baby jail than an injured or dead baby. Mine is 19 months and has a somewhat cavalier attitude about his own safety. I need to wee sometimes. Baby jail's/cages/gates are an absolute necessity. Fwiw I stick him in a sling, bedshare, "natural term" breastfed, all the attachmenty bollocks. I've still got a buggy and I'd still rather him be alive at the end of each day. Let your SIL parent how she sees fit and you crack on with your own way.

I got one to put DD1 in when DD2 was born. It didn’t really work that way but I did put newborn DD2 in it to keep her safe from DD1 (who would otherwise have pulled her Moses basket over, sat on her etc).

They’re both still alive so it was a good investment ;-)

A playpen kept me sane when my DD was little, they're great.

Nah, much better to let your child roam free. If they burn themselves, have a fall, drown, destroy something important or otherwise come to grief, just chalk it up to experience.

Reins are fabulous BTW. Saved my son's life twice.

Didn’t need for DC1 as he was very sensible but did use the jumperoo as a form of playpen. DC2 has a death wish so huge big playpen, it was great. DC1 had a rucksack with strap more so to keep him upright. DC2 has my reins from when I was a flight risk.