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Original poster

Is a playpen an essential item?

41 replies

Wade · 26/05/2008 20:37

My parents have just reacted in horror when I told them I had no intention of getting a playpen for our 9 month old. How does anyone else manage? Are they an essential item?

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littlelamb · 26/05/2008 20:40

God no, whatever for?? I have never seen the point of them, it is easy enough to make an environment safe for a baby without putting them in a glorified cage

Clayhead · 26/05/2008 20:40

I never used one personally and seem to have managed! dc are 5 and 6 now so the detail's hazy but I can't remember ever wanting one.

Twiglett · 26/05/2008 20:42

never used one .. never needed one .. don't know anybody who has one either

WilfSell · 26/05/2008 20:42

we have never had one. Stairgates, lots of cushions, toyboxes in front of the telly and a living room door that closes have always worked for me...

Bky · 26/05/2008 20:42

No, I never used one, don't think I was missing anything. Neither of my DD's are sheep so why would they need a pen?

dizzydixies · 26/05/2008 20:42

no, we never had one either, if need be use a travel cot, does same thing if you need it

stitch · 26/05/2008 20:43

never used a playpen. i have three kids

foxythesnowfox · 26/05/2008 20:43

Certainly is in this house. I have 4 DCs 6 and under. I need to be able to have a wee without worrying about choking on lego or Polly Pocket tat! Or falling down the stairs if one of the others has forgotten to close the stairgate. Good to put them in the garden and keep them safe too.

If you have one I think an activity centre is a worthwhile bit of kit and more mobile too.

cheesesarnie · 26/05/2008 20:44

never had one or wanted one .what do you mean how do you manage?

also what littlelamb said

MNersanonymous · 26/05/2008 20:44

NO! I totally agree with you.

It is optional depending on what your dc is like, what your house is like and your parenting style!

Piffle · 26/05/2008 20:45

have only known one friend with one... And they used it to barricade all the no touchy touchy things IN
so keeping children out not penning them in.
if I'm desperate I sling ds2 in his cot with squillions of toys...hate the idea of a playpen not sure why as I can imagine they'd be useful but it seems kinda cruel

cmotdibbler · 26/05/2008 20:45

Never had one, don't like them. Your choice really so doesn't matter what you parents think.

PerkinWarbeck · 26/05/2008 20:45

Depends on the layout of your house. Ours is very open plan, so I find that I am currently unable to cook dinner without 15mo DD clinging to me and whinging. In the absence of a shutting door/stairgate, I keep meaning to get a playpen, but am so idle that she will no doubt grow out of this phase before I get to Argos.

jingleyjen · 26/05/2008 20:45

No
we have never had one, it has meant that the boys have tended to be with me round the house as I get on with stuff.... or I haven't got much done some days..

ScaryHairy · 26/05/2008 20:47

No.

I do have a travel cot which I thought I might use as a playpen if DD became mobile and I wanted to put her in it while I cooked or ironed or something. I never used it for that purpose, though.

Iota · 26/05/2008 20:48

I used a travel cot/playpen and found it useful as somewhere to put the baby for a few minutes whilst I went to the loo or did a quick chore.

pavlovthecat · 26/05/2008 20:49

No playpen. DH always insisted we would get one , I just said 'yes dear' and he never got round to buying one, I had no intention of buying one!

By the time we got to the stage of her being into everything at when we thought in jest 'er maybe we should have got a playpen?!!!' she was much too active to be in one, and would have been able to climb out anyway, which makes it more dangerous.

theangelshavethephonebox · 26/05/2008 20:50

I had a travel cot which was handy to pop ds in from time to time if needed. I think a playpen would be great if you have a very open plan house but otherwise you can definitely get by without.

Original poster
Wade · 26/05/2008 20:50

Thanks - think I will try the travelcot in desperation. I mean how do you manage for example going to the loo.

OP posts:
hullygully · 26/05/2008 20:50

Very useful for you to get in out of their reach and incessant demands..

pavlovthecat · 26/05/2008 20:55

wade i would take her with me!

Scoobi6 · 26/05/2008 20:56

I use a travel cot too... dd will sit there quite happily while I go to the loo etc. In fact I think she appreciates the "time alone" - more often than not I'm greeted by a smelly nappy when I go to fetch her out

I can manage without but I much prefer having a safe place with some of her favourite toys in, to put her for a few minutes while I dash about. Less stress than dragging her round the house with me, and means she has my full attention once I'm back. But if you can make a room 100% safe and stairgate across the door that would do the same job I guess.

Original poster
Wade · 26/05/2008 20:56

hullygully - lol !!

OP posts:
cheesesarnie · 26/05/2008 21:00

going to the loo???you dont mean...no you cant mean....[scared emotion] ..not alone????omg

nicand2 · 26/05/2008 21:00

We had one for DS1 and it worked well especially as it changed into a room divider and we could cordon off an area which was safe but DS2 hated it and wouldn't go anywhere near it. I found a groove and learn or equivilent was much more useful as it kept him safe if I needed to pop upstairs but entertained too.