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Original poster

Play Pens aren't popular anymore?

107 replies

PlanetTeaTime · 14/10/2021 20:22

I've had a few people say to me that play pens aren't in fashion anymore (people whose kids have grown up and started having their own kids)

And I just wanted to know if that's true?

My baby isn't crawling yet so it's been a non issue for us but I'm really curious as to why they aren't popular now?

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ReeseWitherfork · 14/10/2021 21:44

I had one for my two year old from crawling through to walking. Hated the idea of a jumperoo but that's what most of my friends used instead. It worked beautifully for about 10/15 minutes at a time.

ReeseWitherfork · 14/10/2021 21:44

@ReeseWitherfork

I had one for my two year old from crawling through to walking. Hated the idea of a jumperoo but that's what most of my friends used instead. It worked beautifully for about 10/15 minutes at a time.
As in, he's two now!! Had it when he was about 6-10 months.
110APiccadilly · 14/10/2021 21:45

We have one. DD is quite happy to be put in it - and believe me, that child does not suffer in silence if she's not happy - we would know! I have a few toys which live in there for her so they're special. She also doesn't go in it for long but it keeps her safe if I need to deal with hot pans, for instance.

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Calmdown14 · 14/10/2021 21:50

I loved mine and so did my son. His own toy playground. He had a ball pit in it too at one point.
I lived in an upstairs flat so had to go down the (private) stairway to set up the pram before taking him out. Once crawling I couldn't leave him anywhere else safety while I did it. Also had a separate kitchen so was free to make cups of tea without him sticking fingers in plug sockets. Perhaps now people have more open plan houses it's not as necessary.
Or it's a snobbery thing like reins when in fact it's a sensible safety precaution and unless leaving a baby in it 14 hours a day no one should be judged for.

My tip is if you need one, get them used to it before they are really active.

Mine is now in use as a fire guard round the woodburner eight years later so money well spent!

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/10/2021 21:51

@Goldbar

We had a huge playpen for our DC when they were little. I loved it. I used to lie down in it and snooze in the morning while my DC played safely next to me. It did take up half the living-space but was so useful as we lived in a split-level rented flat which we couldn't babyproof at the time.
Ha, that's brilliant! I accidentally fell asleep in ours a couple of time, but never thought of napping in it deliberately.

That reminds me, though, that they are also brilliant if you are properly ill, and the only parent home. Those were the only times I ever used one for more than about 20 minutes at a stretch. Knowing that the toddler was safe and able to play while I dozed on the sofa or threw up in peace got me through several bouts of flu and my migraines.

JakeyRolling · 14/10/2021 21:52

I had one that came in eight panels. We used them to fence off the bottom of the stairs (open to loving room and with no way to bolt a stair gate to them) or to make a massive "playpen" with sofa and walls on other side.

Also used to put the dog in it to give her peace 😂

Jbh333 · 14/10/2021 21:53

I used one first of all when my youngest was crawling/walking and I needed to get ready for work. Whole downstairs was open inc kitchen so helped me not worry when getting dressed etc.. Kept it for second and put him in there to sleep so wouldn’t get harrased by eldest. Then for about a year eldest would want to sleep in there at night and I gave in and slept on the sofa next to it for an easy life 🤣. No regrets and no lasting effects on sleep or health 👍🏼

RyvitaBrevis · 14/10/2021 21:54

My baby (now toddler) hates his cot with a passion. We felt putting him in the cot in the day when he needed to be contained for 5 mins would create even more negative associations with it so got a play pen instead. It's useful. Wait until you definitely know you need a play pen to get it though, you may be fine without.

Feetupteashot · 14/10/2021 21:56

Don't buy. They are bulky so will probably get one for free if ask around.

I got one second hand and was almost pointless.

I occasionally put baby in it when I needed a wee to protect from eldest. Baby always cried and eldest ended up throwing things in over the side. When they were together without pen they were fine, it was a red rag to a bull

Maybe if have dog or open fire, building site etc but still better taking baby with you

Calmdown14 · 14/10/2021 21:56

I also had a friend who put one round the Christmas tree which I thought was genius!

Oreoreo · 14/10/2021 21:58

I have one, my daughter is just about to turn one. To be honest it’s mostly so that she doesn’t chase our cat 😂😂

33goingon64 · 14/10/2021 21:59

My mum bought us one when DC1 arrived. We never used it because he didn't move until he stood up and walked on his first birthday. DC2 was a crawler and we put him in it for very short periods e.g. when someone came to the door or when I needed to serve food. I wouldn't buy one now I don't think.

elbea · 14/10/2021 21:59

We also just used a travel cot for times like cooking dinner, answering the door, popping to toilet. We don’t like baby stuff everywhere so we can put the travel cot away when we need

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 14/10/2021 21:59

Mine is now in use as a fire guard round the woodburner eight years later so money well spent!

Yes, ours had a protracted second life, protecting the Christmas tree from the dogs and the lazier cat. Unfortunately, Cat 2 viewed it as a parkour challenge 😀

my8thMNusername · 14/10/2021 22:00

We had one so I could close it if I needed loo etc and was home alone with baby, mostly we had it as somewhere to house the toys in one place in out long but relatively narrow kitchen. Always had the door open so it was more a play space / playhouse than a pen.

my8thMNusername · 14/10/2021 22:01

*our

Skysblue · 14/10/2021 22:02

Mine was so useful! I only used it when

  • I was in the shower (rolled playpen to just outside bathroom)
  • I had to go answer the door for postman etc and baby wanted to rampage around house

But it would have been a nightmare without. What would I have done with baby while I showered? Especially as he liked to flush loo rolls.

Miraloma · 14/10/2021 22:04

People are judgy about them now, I think they can be extremely necessary.

They've been replaced by jumperoos

Goldbar · 14/10/2021 22:05

If you're going to get one, definitely best to do it around the 5/6 month mark before they start crawling. It's much easier to limit their freedom from the outset than to take it away when they're used to having free run of the house Wink.

BakingOfTheFoodCats · 14/10/2021 22:05

4 kids and I’ve never had one, don’t know anyone who does

2bazookas · 14/10/2021 22:22

It's a mystery to me why they might be unpopular. My kids were free-range but we always had a playpen when they were babies; perfect safe place to park a crawler/roller while you answer the door; have a wee, open the oven door, feed the woodstove . It's also a safe place to park a very tiny baby so he can have a good kick but won't get licked by dog/ trodden on by the toddlers.

mayblossominapril · 14/10/2021 22:35

I use a travel cot. Just for when I need to cook or dash and answer the door. It’s set up ready with a few books in. Wouldn’t be without it. I also use reins

dreamingbohemian · 14/10/2021 22:40

I mean people confine their kids in cots, slings, buggies, highchairs, no problem, but bring out the playpen and suddenly you're the warden of baby jail

merrymelody · 14/10/2021 22:45

My two loved the playpen. I don't see a problem with it.

Wagglerock · 14/10/2021 22:49

@Calmdown14

I also had a friend who put one round the Christmas tree which I thought was genius!
We might have to do this this year with a rampaging crawler around!