Playpens...

[OnNaturesCourse]

What are your thoughts on them?

I have a LO who has a new habit of eating everything and anything he can get his chubby hands on, and a toddler who seems to rain small toy parts and craft bits. No matter what I do my LO seems to get his hands on something he shouldn't have.

I'm seriously considering getting a playpen or something similar (for when I cooking dinner or at the loo etc, not for all the time)..

I'm concerned though that it may effect/delay his movement and/or interaction skills a little...or simply he'll feel abandoned in it. As daft as that sounds.

I used a playpen for my DD from when she learned to crawl (11 months) up until she was about 15 months when she started learning to walk.

I’m not sure peoples opinions on them but I found it helpful because I knew she was safe if I needed to cook, clean etc.

They are so so standard in Denmark. Im british but had dc in Denmark and just dont understand the british angst over them.

Yes, I had one. It's really very useful to be able to put them somewhere safe for a few minutes while you run to the loo, answer the door, etc. I think dc liked it for short periods too as I had put some toys in there.

Lifesaver if I need to put baby somewhere safe for 5 minutes - toilet, stick washing out, run out to car for bags etc. He's never in it long. He enjoys playing in it too! I've never left him more than 5-10 mins at a time though.

I had one for my twins 16 years ago, I couldn’t have done without it tbh. I know they’re not really approved of these days but it’s a safe space to place your lo when you need to do something. They don’t affect development as long as they’re not permanently stuck in there.

Thanks.

They've always been sold to me as "baby jails" so I'm stuck on that I think.

I had one when she started crawling so I could go up to the loo/clean teeth etc. At that stage she was also pulling up and toppling and smacking her head a lot so it gave me reassurance that she was safe and I could get on with what I needed to do. I didnt use it much because she would cry if left for more than 5 minutes,but it served its purpose for a bit. I prefer using her cot with some toys in and a nursery rhyme cd on now for if I want a shower or something.

I used play pens and reins.

I also use reins, quite happily actually 😂

I'm using one since my baby started crawling and pulling up to standing, and it's a lifesaver.

What exactly are people's arguments against them, and is there actually research evidence to back these up?

'What exactly are people's arguments against them, and is there actually research evidence to back these up?'

It's overuse that's the problem. I believe there is research showing that extended periods of time in a playpen are harmful (that's also quite obvious just using common sense).

For short periods of time/occasionally, it's absolutely fine.

I've just started using one for DD 5m (actually it's a large travel cot. She can sit up on her own so doesn't like being in her bouncer any more. On the other hand, she still topples over sometimes if she gets distracted! So the playpen is a good option for entertaining her for 15 min while we cook/clean/eat etc as it has a matress. She doesn't really put up with it for much longer than that. I carry on chatting to her while she's in there.

We didn’t use a playpen, but we had the travel cot up with a few toys in, and DD would go in there quite happily if I went for a wee. She was never in it more than a couple of minutes which is why we didn’t bother spending money on an actual playpen. It didn’t seem worth it for such little use.

We used a travel cot for those 5 mins that you need for a wee etc, better safe than sorry

Yeah I used a travel cot as one too with my twins. Lifesaver.

@OnNaturesCourse

Thanks.

They've always been sold to me as "baby jails" so I'm stuck on that I think.

We called ours the prison. Seriously, it was fine and my DC loved it. Just don’t leave them in it all day!

We bought DS a big 2m by 3m playpen. These days he prefers the playpen to the sling or the bouncer.

I also don’t understand the angst over them. Kid is safe, parent can get dinner ready or whatever without the child injuring themselves… DSs playpen is quite big with some toys in, he’s always very happy in there when I need to keep him safe and contained for a little bit.

Downside is he always does a poo in there. So I’ll have dinner ready but then have to change a stinky nappy first before we eat!

We used a travel cot rather than a playpen but that was more for reasons of space! Had a couple of toys that stayed in it so those two mins of me going for a wee would often turn into 15 mins playing with the 'special' toys, bonus! Will be using it again with no guilt. As PP have said I think it's just as some babies were left in them for long periods of time previously that has brought about the negative association.

Mind you I'm a Jumperoo person which is another taboo, so maybe don't take too much notice of me 😂

I had a huge old wooden playpen. Fantastic, I put the fun play mat in there, loads of toys and things hanging down.

Totally vital for loo visits, phone calls, answering the door. Basically anything when your attention is on something else.

Mine must have been 2mx 3m.

I used one, a large wooden one. It folded up neatly and came with a mat. Invaluable.

I was tempted to get one recently but I couldn't find one that I felt happy with. Lots seemed too small for what I wanted - no different to the dimensions of a travel cot which I have so didn't see the point of them. Then the bigger ones all had really mixed reviews - some saying they weren't stable enough once babies are pulling themselves up and others being too clunky.

I actually attempted to buy one but on the confirmation order, the manufacturer said I would need to tighten every screw prior to use which seemed odd - like would I need another playpen to put my baby in while I'm tightening the screws of their one? so, I cancelled the order.

I basically gave up looking in the end. But if anyone does have a recommendation I'd love to know!

I hadwww.<a class="break-all" href="https://amazon.co.uk/Babylo-Secure-Playpen-Activity-Centre/dp/B0845NRR8G/ref=asc_df_B0845NRR8G/?hvlocphy=9046360&linkCode=df0&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=422518049167&th=1&hvdev=t&hvtargid=pla-887082629014&hvrand=7796990700458005886&adgrpid=100155926600&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-parenting-4394515-Playpens" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.co.uk/Babylo-Secure-Playpen-Activity-Centre/dp/B0845NRR8G/ref=asc_df_B0845NRR8G/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=422518049167&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7796990700458005886&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046360&hvtargid=pla-887082629014&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=100155926600&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=422518049167&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7796990700458005886&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046360&hvtargid=pla-887082629014 one a but like this that also has a uv hood so could use it outside

We called ours the prison. Seriously, it was fine and my DC loved it. Just don’t leave them in it all day!

Same !
My dc liked going in "the prison" which was introduced to them as an occasional treat.
I'd have been lost without it.

Thanks all.

I brought the travel cot out today and used it while nipping to the loo/getting dressed and for 15 mins to help my toddler with her craft project. It was nice to get some one to one time and baby absolutely loved it in the cot as his toys couldn't roll too far away from him etc.