Playpens - a necessary evil?

[AnnaVR]

Hi, they do look a bit like cages, but my DS is just starting to roll and will soon be crawling, so if i don't get a playpen will i ever get anything done? And are there any nice ones that people that have found that are less cage-like? Thanks.....

snowed under with work mawbroon and dd1 has been a bit unwell

did you see that thunder and lightening !

We bought one recently so that we can all sit in the garden after dinner to cool off. DD is only 1 and can walk a few steps but prefers to crawl which she can't do outside so she's happy being amongst us all as we chat/eat outside and she's there with us with her toys. Its just not practical to let her crawl around on the patio/grass.

why is it not practical to let a child crawl on the grass?? they love it!

My ds crawled on the patio/grass. Why is it not practical?

Yes it was wild nailpolish! DS and I have been under the weather too but we seem ok now.

I don't think being cage like is too big a problem, its only our perception of it, babies like being enclosed, apparently thats why baby gyms have arches over them cos its womb like, and gives feelings of security

I've never used one, didn't really like them and I have 3 dcs, first two fairly close in age.

I bought one when I was moving house and thing's weren't child-proofed. I got a wooden one but wouldn't recommend it - while it had a padded mat at the bottom DD was just pulling to stand, and if she fell over would bang her head on the bars. I had to pad the sides with blankets etc.

Haven't read the whole thread - but blimey, if you are worried about putting a kid behind bars, what the hell is a cot then?! Er, a bed, with, like, bars round it....

Nothing wrong with keeping your kids safe IMO

And nothing worse than having to interrupt a good dump to rescue your baby/toddler from whatever mishap they have gotten into

they are asleep in the cot

bit different there

Oh, come on... they don't drop off straight away the minute you put them in the cot, and if they're gurgling and happy in it in the morning, would you rush to get them out of it?

A baby will generally let you know when they've had enough in a playpen, and if you're only using it for short periods to keep them safe while you do something that needs to be done in order to be an effective parent (cook food, clean, look after elder kids etc.) I don't see a problem.

i wouldnt leave a wakened baby in the cot, no

nor would i put baby in the cot whilst i made the tea

why would i?

I have a wooden one
Very handy with DC1 as it meant I could shower in peace etc while he played with toys

Haven't used it much with DC2 as she wails in protest too much - she gets put back in her cot instead

I am not suggesting you put your baby in the cot to make tea!

I'm not suggesting you do anything that you don't want to do.

But I'm just saying, why is it that:

Bars on a cot = fine

Bars on a playpen = Strangeways

nailpolish - because you might have/want to do something that doesn't involve them. If you give them a toy and they're happy enough why wouldn't you?

some kids love them so much they never want to get out. i mean, you stuff them with toys etc so they are a nice cage to be in :-)

i used mine till they could walk ( a travel cot one )then just put saftey gates up! my ds2 always used to fall asleep in it .never left him in for long must have just asocated it with sleep gave me longer to do what i need to do and great when we went to haven last year (hot weather in a caravan BIG steps and no stair gate )

give them a toy whilst they are on the floor? just not in a playpen

i really dotn see the need for them at all

waste of space and money

Ah, I see your DDs are 3 and 5. Perhaps you have forgotten "the kamikaze years"

Never had one - never felt the need.

nope i havent forgotten at all

i have one, but it's used to keep things away from the kids when they go through destructive / climbing phases, rather than put them in. I did used to put DS1 in there when i was pregnant (so hard to carry him) and i was desperate for a wee, or had to go to the front door for postman etc.

High chair is great for keeping them safe while you're say, washing up, cooking. I take DS2 out the garden when i hang washing and he sits in his Bumbo while DS1 wanders round or helps with pegs.

and if i need to do something upstairs which means i can't give them my full attention,(ie make sure they are safe) they go in their cots for 10mins with a toy / book.

AnnaVR

I would do whatever keeps you and your DC happy and safe! Obviously depends on your child's character, your house and how safe you can make it!

Never had the need with DD, but 7 mth DS can roll so fast I can't leave the room for a minute without him setting off to explore something. Most of the time he would be fine but I just cannot be certain as he seems attracted towards anything with electrical wires!

Also why should poor DD be forced to triple check she's tidied every tiny thing up, so that DS can do what he wants! I'm borrowing one from a friend to see how we fare....