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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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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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barbamama · 15/01/2008 11:34

I know this is descending into farce but I was wondering: We have 2 sofas in an L shape in the living room which creates a big square against the wall - size of a v large coffe table - or playpen? (big sofas) At the moment I use it to store cushions and the baby gym and ring etc in but I was thinking it might be handy for ds2 to go in occasionally once he is crawling about. Would this be really bad? Don't really want to buy a playpen as have so much baby paraphenalia already.

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:34

Mine used to do that until I used cattle prod aversion therapy!

AuraofDora · 15/01/2008 11:35

godsend def
ds loved it too
baby dan baby den

lots of toys soft blankets and it was his cage, i called it that
but it was a den too
i would get in too sometimes!

he also had lots of freedom when i could supervise

he loved being there and big peace of mind ultra safe place to leave him to chill and gurgle esp in emergencies

and good for letting them be on their own for a while

..am actually having difficulty as want to sell it now but dont think he'd let it leave the house if he knew what was 'appening!
he cried when dismantled...it was another milestone..

Umlellala · 15/01/2008 11:36

We put a stairgate on door of living room and dd's room (and babyproofed as best as poss) when she was a tiny explorer. Was mostly open but was handy to have the option of having 'safe spaces'. Thought about a travel cot for those going to the door/making a cuppa moments but tbh just used her highchair/kept an eye or took her with me.

The stairgates have changed all over the house since but mainly she has had the run of the house since she was safe to go up and down our (small flight of) stairs at about 12mths. Dd is also quite 'good' at not touching dangerous things/being careful.

Agree it is about your baby and your house and how to keep them safe.

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:36

barbamama - That sounds perfectly fine, if he is happy to be in there!

Surfermum · 15/01/2008 11:40

We called it the cage too .

JodieG1 · 15/01/2008 11:40

I've never used one. I have 3 dcs. Ds1 and 2 both crawled at 6 months and walked at 9 months. Ds2 is 12 months now and into everything. I never really found one necessary.

HereComeTheGirls · 15/01/2008 11:44

I don't think early crawling has anything to do with how much you need one. My DD didnt crawl until she was 1, and by then was very strong and agile and wanting into everything so I found one helpful!!!

barbamama · 15/01/2008 11:48

yes I think you have to suck it and see really - some babies, like my ds1, refuse to even be in a different room from you so a playpen would be useless for that purpose - you just get used to never going to the toilet on your own and, now he is older, a running commentary on how your bodily functions are progressing and critique on your makeup application technique ......

lizziemun · 15/01/2008 12:50

Didn't have one, but don't have space for one either.

I just put a stair gate on the kitchen door so dd1 couldn't get in and i will also do the same for dd2.

FWIW DD1 started to roll over at 6wks so she was never wher you left her .

annoyingdevil · 15/01/2008 13:18

Never used them either (nor travel cots) and I had two under 2. As long as the house is safety proofed, how much trouble can a crawling baby get into? I find the climbers (12 mths+) much more trouble.

MaryAnnSingleton · 15/01/2008 13:20

I used to stick ds in a travelling cot, but not for long...when I was little my mum had a playpen for us but would use it to put around a heater, so we couldn't touch it

dingdong05 · 15/01/2008 13:24

I got a travel cot as I thought I would need one, but putting it up was more trouble than it was worth! Plus he would just follow me about all the time anyway (in a small flat so no stairs to worry abut and at the top of a multi so I'd take him with me to d the washing/bins anyway
He was furniture walking at 6 months so was up and about ALL THE TIME! but wasn't one for tying to pock his fingers into places.
I don't think I've been to the loo on my own for 3 1/2 years now

justabouttosplashoutinthesales · 15/01/2008 13:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

justabouttosplashoutinthesales · 15/01/2008 13:31

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ChairmumMiaow · 15/01/2008 13:37

I don't have any kids yet (expecting number 1 any minute!) but we've already got a baby den up in our living room. We got bought one for Xmas after deciding that it would be a "nice to have"

We have 2 friendly dogs, and with experience of a niece who just wanted to spend all day on the floor with her baby gym, we decided it would allow us to at least have the dogs and baby in the same room while we're there, while preventing what I like to think of as a "drive by licking" (one dog loves kids and will let himself be poked and pulled about for ages, with his worst reaction being to walk away, but I'd never leave them alone, playpen or not).

DH's sister bought it for us and named it the baby cage, so that's what its now know as. I don't know how well it will work for us but at least we currently have the option, and our dogs won't have to spend all day and all evening outside

mistlethrush · 15/01/2008 13:55

We had one but ds was only ever in it in the kitchen - and he had his own saucepans and wooden spoon (as well as other toys) so was often quite enthusiastic whilst in there. He was only ever in there for 10 mins or so - and never left alone, just put in a safer location where there was somthing interesting to do at the same time as being with us.

LoveAngel · 15/01/2008 14:00

Godsend for a little while. From when he was pulling himself up to standing up until when he walked (so from about 6 months-ish until 11 months) my DS loved it. After the age of about 1 yr he wasn't so keen, and then he learnt to climb out of it, so it got packed away. I don't think playpens are cruel, I think they're safe and cosy for little ones.

Original poster

Lookydo · 15/01/2008 22:55

Thanks, everyone. Really helpful stuff. I'm going to be ordering a Baby Dan one forthwith!

OP posts:

coby · 15/01/2008 23:14

I haven't used one for first DCs but I am woondering if it would be worth getting one for DC3 so he can have some time without being prodded and pulled by his sisters when he is on his gym etc. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

If he doesn't like it maybe I could just crawl inside and pretend I don't exist for a while.....

Califrau · 15/01/2008 23:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cat64 · 15/01/2008 23:46

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NickiSue · 15/01/2008 23:49

Kieran has a travel cot and did from 1yr-ish. Its ideal when Im putting tea on and as he can now get out of his highchair (!!!)keeps him safe when I need to run a hoover round etc.

elkiedee · 16/01/2008 01:11

My dad bought us one which he refers to as a cage. I have to admit the house isn't at all babyproofed and though we could do some things about that given time, there isn't a solution to everything - we don't have a hall and the stairs are in our front room.

I put ds to play in there when we're in but I take him out to baby groups or activities most weekdays and we go out for walks with the buggy, cafe visits etc at weekends. Sometimes I use it for short times while I get ready, but other times, if he's in a mood where he's happy to play with toys etc for a little while, I will use it for longer spells. It's quite a large one and so dp or I somettimes sit in it with him and play - it actually means we can let him go without him heading straight for whatever we don't want to play with!

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