To consider a playpen for a 10 month old baby?

[jollybobs89]

Does anyone have a playpen for their little crawlers?

I have a 2 year old and a 10 month old and the 10 month old is just everywhere haha.

In the dog bowl licking slippers banging his head literally all I do is follow him round hahaha I can't even have a wee without him trying to put his hand in the toilet! I'm considering a play pen just so I know he's safe! He doesn't like being in his high chair so even trying to get out the house and get toddler in the pram dog ready it's just madness hahaha

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

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MNHQ

I couldn't put both my twins together in the play pen as my son would crawl over his sister and even tried to escape using her as a ladder. However, great for one at a time to allow me to answer the door carrying only one. I also found it very handy when I wanted to have a coffee or hot drink. I'd sit in the playpen on a chair and drink it while the twins played on the carpet in my otherwise cleared of dangerous items play room.

Who else are you supposed to use them for? A ten month old is surely the target audience for them?

I remember our playpen (over 60 years ago). Once your babe is standing - very soon now - they'll be climbing out, I promise! You'll get a few months' use out of it. It'll be great if you're planning more babes though.

I always thought of playpens as places of safety. When my little bro was in his I would climb in to play with him there. It was lovely, I really did feel safe, as if we were enclosed in parents' arms.

When dd was a baby though, they were hard to find and expensive as so many people condemned their use as putting your child in prison. Similar to how reins were viewed, which was also wrong - reins were great from the child's pov. At least they were quite easy to get when dd needed them.

Enjoy your little bit of extra freedom. It is worth it.

I'm on here to get ideas! I need either a travel cot or playpen to keep baby safe. I have no issues with using one😁

I had one of those collapsible ones. It meant we could also use it in the garden when the weather was nice

We used this one op (have just sold it on facebay actually) Hadwin Baby Playpen, 8 Panel Foldable and Portable Play Yard for Baby Toddlers, Large Activity Centre with Breathable Mesh and Storage Bag，Indoor&Outdoor Safe Playard (Blue) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089N3YY7H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_S9A5JCRFMDJ800Q7DR75?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

We filled it with ball pit balls and toys and popped dd in it for toilet trips, getting stuff in the car etc. I also used to bring it into the kitchen when I was cooking so I could chat and play while making dinner (well away from the job or any surfaces!)

Not sure why some people have an issue with them - fair enough if you were leaving them in there for hours but for short periods so you can keep them safe / get things done I think it’s fine.

We used to have one when the DC were babies / small toddlers.

It was a safe space to leave them for a little bit while I did something like popping to the toilet or making meals.
And a playpen is more fun for a baby than being in something like a high chair because they’ve got more room to play.

I had a lovely handed down large wooden one for dd (many years ago) I used it everyday, she had toys and cushions in it, she would play happily for about 30 mins, just long enough for me to tidy and hoover our flat, any longer than that though and she would start wailing. I used reins aswell, wonderful things.

"I remember our playpen (over 60 years ago). Once your babe is standing - very soon now - they'll be climbing out, I promise! You'll get a few months' use out of it. It'll be great if you're planning more babes though."

My baby has been standing for months and can't climb out of his. You need one with high sides.

Travel cot plus soft balls = ball pit for play as opposed to cage. Get a bigger one like this.

www.kidstart.co.uk/deal/Deals-Babyway-Mimas-Luxury-Travel-Cot.aspx

About £30 on offer 5 years ago.

Mine did sterling work as travel cot until dd was 3 1/2 and probably would have done longer if not for lockdown killing off holidays.

As a ball pit/play pen, she loved it. And the zip up section at the end meant I could undo it and she could crawl in/out herself to save lifting her. Also doubled as tidy up space for cuddly toys.

IME if you only start using it at that age they just cry and won't settle in it.

We started DS2 in one at about 5 months when he could sit! It worked OK... once he could properly crawl, he didn't want to be contained though.

@Fatladyslim

Cannot see a reason why it's considered 'wrong'. Can't wait to get one for my son.

But then, I will be using reigns too and I know people hate them. Oh well, I'd rather be safe than fashionable.

Reins or wrist straps are fabulous. My children much preferred them to being forced to hold hands, it gives them more a sense of freedom.

My playpen got used by my daughter when she was 3.5 to keep her pesky brother out. She played in the playpen and loved it

Not being goady, but why wouldn't you?

I had a massive wooden playpen. It was second hand. It was fantastic. I put it the living room. Play mat inside and books and soft toys hanging on bars. Handy when answering the front door, telephone calls etc. Made life more relaxed.

@334bu

I couldn't put both my twins together in the play pen as my son would crawl over his sister and even tried to escape using her as a ladder. However, great for one at a time to allow me to answer the door carrying only one. I also found it very handy when I wanted to have a coffee or hot drink. I'd sit in the playpen on a chair and drink it while the twins played on the carpet in my otherwise cleared of dangerous items play room.

Mine are 1. If it wasn't for the fact they climb onto the sofa and sit on the arm I'd do just this 😂

Mine really disliked her playpen so I child-proofed the room and sat in it myself to be able to have a few minutes to read.

@334bu

I couldn't put both my twins together in the play pen as my son would crawl over his sister and even tried to escape using her as a ladder. However, great for one at a time to allow me to answer the door carrying only one. I also found it very handy when I wanted to have a coffee or hot drink. I'd sit in the playpen on a chair and drink it while the twins played on the carpet in my otherwise cleared of dangerous items play room.

When ours were abount 8 months and just over 2 we were surprised one morning when they both came into the bedroom! It was a long time ago and we had a drop-sided cot, the older one had gone into the baby's room, lifted the catch on one side and clamped baby's hand over it, she then lifted the other side and said Now, the side of the cot dropped and baby crawled out!

We also had quite a big old fashioned wooden one that took up a whole corner of an L-shaped kitchen. DS played happily in it whilst I was in the kitchen and I dont remember him trying to climb out. Other times we used a travel cot.
Great to give you extra time and you can see them and chat knowing they are safe.

How do you baby proof a room against a 1 year old though, they're sneakier then me. Unless I remove the sofa so they can't climb on it and then into the arm I can't hide in the play pen for a nap

Thanks everyone!

I always just thought that it might be a bit tight but I guess it's not for long periods of time and it's better than him hurting himself!

It's impossible to baby proof anything unless you live in a padded room with nothing in it! Hahaha they literally just get everywhere don't they! I don't ever remember my DD being this bad.

Anyway I've ordered one wooooo might be able to get a few jobs done now!

I had one when DS grew out of it climbing over the sides he used it as a Fort.

We got one when DS was around 10/11 months old, he goes in and out of it during the day to play and we pop him in for a few minutes if we’re in the kitchen, nipping upstairs. He’s totally fine with it as are we. He’s such a handful and needs eyes on him at all times so it just makes life a lot easier!

How do you baby proof a room against a 1 year old though, they're sneakier then me. Unless I remove the sofa so they can't climb on it and then into the arm I can't hide in the playpen

I had everything put into the garage so totally cleared room ...toys and playpen with a chair in it as my son was fearless. I think I spent almost 2 years crawling around my dining room floor.

Had one for dc3, best decision ever, only didn't for first 2 as had no room then

@334bu

*How do you baby proof a room against a 1 year old though, they're sneakier then me. Unless I remove the sofa so they can't climb on it and then into the arm I can't hide in the playpen*

I had everything put into the garage so totally cleared room ...toys and playpen with a chair in it as my son was fearless. I think I spent almost 2 years crawling around my dining room floor.

Yeah I'm not sure it's terribly fair on DS, 5 to have nothing in our living room bar a play pen and baby toys 😂