Playpen or Travel Cot?

[summerkisses84]

I'm trying to decide whether a travel cot or a playpen would be a good investment? My DD is 10 months and is crawling so gets into everything, which makes tasks such as cooking a nightmare, as she pulls herself up at the oven! I really need some advice as DH is useless, bless him. He doesn't see that either is necessary, but then he's not the one at home contending with the problem. I don't like the idea of DD being in a playpen 'cage', but for safety reasons, I feel now that she is moving around and interested in what I'm doing, I need to get one.

Please help...also suggestions on which plapen or travel cot would be useful.

Thanks

Yes definitely, they are very useful. You only need a cheap one at this age though - no need for special bassinets etc. So the only thing to choose between is the size. We got a babylo one, cot size, from baby equipment complete for about £28 I think. It's identical to the Graco pack n play which seems to be the one everyone has - apart from the colour. The main sizes are standard (cot size) compact (probably too small for you) and then you can get square ones or hexagonal ones which are bigger.

I would get a travel cot rather than a playpen which can't be used as a cot because then you can use it if you go away. They also tend to fold up smaller for storage

Thanks Bertibotts.

I should have mentioned that at 10 months, DD is in 18-24 month clothes as she is tall, just like her 6ft 4in Dad! She measures about 80cm at the mo, so have come to the conclusion that a travel cot will not do for very long.

Suggestions on a good playpen would be appreciated though

bump

Just another thought - what about a stair gate to the kitchen if that's the room you're most worried about? Mine just howled in any sort of playpen and it just wasn't worth the aggro!

travelcot, argos, 24.99

We tried a stair gate but she kicked off and has to be in the room with me! That's why I wonder whether she'd be ok in a playpen if it's in the same room.

Thanks colditz, will take a look.

How about a babydan-style playpen/room divider? We're considering one at the moment for our 9 month DD, but they are very expensive new. Cheaper on ebay though.

Totally recommend the BabyDan - can build it into different shapes or use as a room divider, anchored to the walls.

Well worth the price and you can sell it again on eBay for not much of a loss.

And later you can use it to build cool dens!

Ok I'm sold! only needed the flimsiest excuse to spend lots of money