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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

Play pens - baby prison or godsend?

49 replies

Lookydo · 15/01/2008 10:52

I've just had my sister to stay and she was saying that I need to get a play pen BEFORE my DS starts to crawl so that he gets used to being in it before he discovers the joy of shooting off all over the house (he's 7 months old). Otherwise he might refuse to go in it. This got me thinking? Do I actually need a play pen at all? I do like the idea of being able to contain him, but my DH reckons play pens are baby prisons. He hates the idea. But then he ain't at home all day with baby, is he. So, the question is, should I get a play pen and if so, which one would you recommend?

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HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 10:55

I have a baby Dan playpen, a big hexagonal one, my 15 month old DD loves it, I put toys in and she goes in herself and plays with them, I open the door and usually she doesn't even come out! I think they are great if you HAVE to do things, like go to the toilet or get stuff ready to go out, I wouldn't use it for long periods though.

goingfor3 · 15/01/2008 10:58

I had one with dd2 and used it when I was cooking so I wouldn't trip over her and scold her. I'm not sure if I'll use it this time as we don't seem to have as much space in our kitchen as we used to. It was also the babydan one we have.

oljam · 15/01/2008 10:58

Well there's going to be a time when you need to pop to the loo or have a shower and the baby is going to be mobile, so at least in his playpen you know he's not putting his fingers in sockets etc. I had a babydan for both of mine and I thought it was great, because most of the toys were in there anyhow (easy stashing) he would just go in and out of there by himself during the day, and the door was only closed when I couldn't be in the room with him. Don't get the grey one though, that does look a bit like a prison.

WanderingTrolley · 15/01/2008 10:59

I love a playpen - Godsend imo.

Use a travel cot. Keep toys in there that stay in there, so your ds doesn't get bored of them quickly.

I've only ever used one for the times I need to faff about elsewhere for 5 minutes, not for hours at a time.

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 10:59

Anyone I know who hasn't had a playpen has had to put the baby in their cot if they want to do anything - my DD hates this!!!

fingerwoman · 15/01/2008 11:00

I had one for ds1 and it was really very useful.
we got it when he started crawling at 6 months and it was a godsend when I just needed to make dinner or something.

They can be prisons if over-used but I certainly think that half an hour here or there when you're washing your hair or making dinner etc is absolutely fine. DS never minded being in his, he had toys and stuff in there and it was big enough for him to crawl and walk around.
we had the babydan one too

WeeWifie · 15/01/2008 11:02

i never had a playpen. dont see the need for them
nor did i put my children in their cot when i wanted "to do something"

and i had 2 close in age, ie 2 under 2 at one point

constancereader · 15/01/2008 11:03

They are used to keep babies safe - so go for it if you need it. I've got one to put ds in while I mess around with hot coals when refilling and cleaning out the aga every day.

MaeWest · 15/01/2008 11:08

I used a travel cot as a playpen for a bit when DS was younger and just starting to crawl and pull up. We had it up in the kitchen, useful for cooking.

There is no way DS would go in there now (nearly 18 months) as he is far too busy charging around the house. I've babyproofed as much as poss downstairs, so do nip to the loo without him (if I can get away without him following). When I have my shower in the morning I put him in his room with some toys (we have a stairgate across the door). Sometimes he plays happily, other times (like this morning) he howls for company, but needs must...

StealthPolarBear · 15/01/2008 11:12

we tend to use ours as a room divider, so use it to block off bits of the room we don't want him getting to. Have baby proofed most of the upstairs so if I shut the doors of the rooms that aren't I can leave him while I go in the shower or empty the bins.
Ours is the Lindam one though, sounds as though it's much smaller than the Baby Dan. We tried using it as a play prison but it was just so tiny I think if we were going to use it, we'd get two and put them together!

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:19

WeeWifie- well I admire you. I certainly wouldn't be able to manage without mine.

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:22

i do think your post was a bit sneering though, I have to say!

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:25

Anyway, apologies if you weren't really looking down on us mere mortals who use 'em! Don't wanna fall out on here, life's too short and hard enough for mums, and its easy to misinterpret things online!! Wish you could delete posts on here

SheikYerbouti · 15/01/2008 11:26

DS1, was a godsend, he was crwaling at 5.5 months, and pulling himself up at 6 months and walking at 9. He was into EVERYTHING,. Having the playpen menat I could pop him in it in the kitchen while I did the cooking etc etc etc, and he was quite happy to jump up and down in it and lookat books and watch me

Didn't need it for DS2 at all. He is quite happy to sit and play quietly while I do stuff and hasn't the need to run around like a loon like DS1 did

IMHO playpens are like reins, for some kids they are necessary, other kids they are not.

Surfermum · 15/01/2008 11:26

We had a Babydan which was a godsend for me too.

I think it does depend on the child though, my friend got one and her dd hated going in it. Dd, however, used to take herself into it.

TheBlonde · 15/01/2008 11:26

I have a wooden one from John Lewis
Used it a lot with DC1, not really used it for DC2 yet

FluffyMummy123 · 15/01/2008 11:26

Message withdrawn

SheikYerbouti · 15/01/2008 11:28

I put my childern in a cage instead

Much more secure

GreenGlassGoblin · 15/01/2008 11:30

I never used one either, but don't think it is to do with smugness or anything. They're not a bit of use if you have a baby who isn't happy to sit and play independently! If I'd ever tried it with DS he would have howled the place down and stood shaking the bars until let out again. Some babies will see them as baby prisons, others as lovely spaces full of their favorite toys. of all those who have infants capable of being left alone for 2 mins without meltdown.

nailpolish · 15/01/2008 11:30

i didnt have one
i dont think i would have had space tbh - we had a very small house at that time

my 2 werent interested in emptying cupboards though
it depends on the child doesnt it

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:30

Do you chain their ankles together too?

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:31

oops, that was to SheikYerbouti but cross posted with loads of other people - feels daft - !

FluffyMummy123 · 15/01/2008 11:31

Message withdrawn

StealthPolarBear · 15/01/2008 11:31

That's exactly what DS dis when we put him in it - pulled himself up on the bars and stood looking out and howling

SheikYerbouti · 15/01/2008 11:32

Yes, I shacle them to the bars and trow scraps at them, they are always wanting my attention, the selfish wretches

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