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Behaviour/development

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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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cheesesarnie · 26/05/2008 21:01

cant think actually how i go/went when had 9 month old?umm i think took him with me,or crossed legs or maybe put him in cot for number 2's but i suppose thats same as using playpen nearly!

foxythesnowfox · 26/05/2008 21:06

I've never considered it reflective of my 'parenting style'. Am curious to know MNersanon how so?

I don't see the difference between using a playpen and a cot TBH. We have a Babydan, there is plenty of room to crawl about and explore her toys. I can pop her in there and go to the loo knowing she is safe and happy, when I come back I open the gate and she can crawl out if she wants. But its good for her to have her own space where the others aren't allowed to have their toys.

I think you either love them or hate them.

stitch · 26/05/2008 21:12

go to loo when baby asleep?
or other adult at home?
fortunately my bladder control good enough to not need to go running!
however when i had a newborn and an 18 motnh old, i did take the newborn itno the loo if dh not around.

ScaryHairy · 26/05/2008 21:22

Take baby to the loo with you. Shut the door and put him on the floor on a towel.

Alternatively baby proof your living room, put a gate across the door and leave the baby shut in there when you need the loo.

Or just get a playpen or travel cot!

Divastrop · 26/05/2008 21:23

i found a playpen essential when i had a very clingy ds1 and newborn dd1(and a very useless xp),it allowed me to go to the toilet.i had a travel cot to put ds2 in when i was cooking etc as there was no door on the kitchen,and i was on my own.

we have a travel cot which was going to be a playpen thing for dd2+3 but we've only ever used it for their daytime naps really.

so my conclusion is that only boys need cages

PInkyminkyohnooo · 26/05/2008 21:23

I have gates. LOve the idea of having to invite someone round so you can go to the loo! Gates are handy, I could separate baby and toddler if I needed to pop upstairs or go to the loo. Shutting doors not very viable when you have two little ones- or pets.

Used the travel cot as a playpen on holidays when needed- worked pretty well, unless you can get a handmedown playpen, a travel cot would probably be a more versatile buy.

Wouldn't view safety devices (gates, cots,playpens) as cages myself.

Divastrop · 26/05/2008 21:25

stitch-i once made the mistake of leaving dd2(then aged 16 weeks)in her bouncy chair in the living room while ds2(then 2.6)was about,and nipping to the loo.that resulted in a trip to A+E

bluewolf · 26/05/2008 21:28

We ended up taking play pen apart (its the one that really looks like a hexagonal cage from mothercare) and caging off all the 'danger' parts of house instead - worked much better than restricting kid to metre square crumb-filled prison

chunkychips · 26/05/2008 21:30

It depends on the set up of your house and whether you want to go to the loo on your own or not. If you have a standard square room with a door you can shut, then you probably don't need one. Imagine a dc running round your house and go from there.

DontCallMeBaby · 26/05/2008 21:30

Hardly essential, though they work well under certain circumstances. We had mahoosive BabyDan one, barely used it - but then DD didn't actually move until she was 14mo, so not so hard to keep an eye on her.

glamourbadger · 26/05/2008 21:31

I found a playpen useful. I had one in the kitchen, my girls loved it. I put all the toys in it I didn't want anywhere else in the house - colouring, sticking and messy stuff. Really helped when they were learning to stand - they could pull themselves up on the bars and cruise around.

Depends on your setup though - if you have a safe space you can leave them in all rooms then you probably wouldn't need one.

SpecialOffer · 26/05/2008 21:36

When I go to the loo, I did take my 10mo with me, but he has learnt the lovely trick of unravelling the loo paper, so no more. I now plonk him in his cot, and leave the bathroom door open (I can see him - just!!).

I have never had a playpen, but don't think my son would like to be contained!

My friend has one, and loves it, but her lo would always be happy sat playing with toys.

MNersanonymous · 26/05/2008 22:24

Foxy - by parenting style I suppose I meant exactly what you say in that you either love them or hate them....bad choice of words on my part. I just meant your view of them really.

Tommy · 26/05/2008 22:35

we have a travel cot which is up in the dinig room. I plonk DS3 in there when he is ready to go out and I am running around getting things ready or when there is broken china or glass around (seems to happen a lot round here for some reason ) or of he is being particularly wingey and I am getting dinner ready or something.

We call it "baby jail"

they are not evil things nor are the people that use them - honest

Pannacotta · 26/05/2008 22:42

Never had one and dont like the idea.
Take DS2 (12 months) to the loo with me, he is v clingy, was the same with DS1 How I yearn to be able to take a pee in private.........

jasper · 26/05/2008 23:04

you will need it at Christmas to put the Christmas tree inside.

Otherwise not really necessary

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