What to put under this large playpen?

[katerose2022]

We got this large playpen on Freecycle. Think it's 1.8m by 2m. There is a thin fabric at the bottom but not a proper mattress and there is a small gap between the bottom and the floor. What am I supposed to put under the playpen as a mattress pls? A duvet?cardboard? Thanks!

You can get foam yoga mats or similar floor mats for kids. Look on Argos or amazon for foam tiles.

kidoola Foam Baby Play Mat (29x29cm) – Thick & Soft EVA Foam Interlocking Floor Tile Matting for Children – Large Multi Colour, Safe & Comfortable 7mm Thick Play Flooring (9pc) amzn.eu/d/2Ey7Cw3

Depends what you plan to use it for really? Playing? Eating? Napping?

@parietal @EmptyYoghurtPot

Thanks for your replies! The foam mats look interesting though the description says not suitable for babies under 10 months (and 3years?!)

Our baby is 4 and a half months right now so the plan is to use it for him to play (and potentially nap as well?) when I work from the study next door.

We used a travel cot for a similar purpose. The ‘floor’ was part of it but was thin board covered in fabric and then in a wipe clean cover. DS napped in it occasionally but was more for playing. He had a bf cushion in there at some points too.

The foam mats or tiles will be perfect.

You’re planning to leave your baby alone in a different room while you work??

@minipie that's the plan yeah. Currently he's happy being left on a playmat for 10-15 minutes in the living room while I pop to the kitchen or the loo. Of course will be checking on him frequently.

Who knows in the next few months though... he seems to be changing every day!

Why not just buy a cheap rug? It’s going to get covered in crap anyway so wouldn’t be paying a fortune for anything!

Foam tiles are good and very versatile. Please don't work in another room while your child is playing. Asleep might be ok if you check regularly

@Favouritefruits yeah that's why I was thinking about just using an old duvet or blanket, unless there are obvious reasons that I shouldn't?

@swimminginthepool thanks. Is it for safety reasons like in case they swallow something if left to play by themselves? Or they'll just fuss?

You really can't leave a baby to play in a separate room while you work!! That's a truly ridiculous plan.

Because on the face of it, dumping your young baby in a playpen for presumably hours (?) at a time while you work in an entirely different room sounds a little neglectful?? (I'm sure you're planning on checking on them regularly but still sounds crap for them)

You are not even supposed to leave them sleeping away from you due to SIDS risk at this age. Please rethink your plan, as you say he could choke so easily.

You cant leave a child under 2 in that never mind a baby.

It looks like a puppy pen.

No it won't be hours. More like when I need half an hour's time (and both my hands) to do something. The two rooms are next to each other and if we leave the doors open I can easily see him if I push my chair back a bit.

We've also got a smaller travel cot, so probably I should set that up instead of the playpen and move my desk into the same room so I can keep an eye on him all the time

As pp says is that even a baby playpen, doesn’t look sturdy enough. Babies that age can’t generally be left for half an hour.

No... that's absolutely ridiculous.

If I were a neighbour, friend or relative I'd be reporting this.

Those foam mats that fit together. Tesco and Argos sell them in bright colours, but often garden green ones cheaper

This is a really stupid and potentially dangerous plan.

I understand the need to go back to work. I had to go back when one of my babies was 2 months old so I am not judging you for that.

But you need a better plan. You cannot leave a baby in a playpen unattended.

Do you mean for the base of the playpen for the baby to go on in which case something like this playmat or this one which is cheaper but I don't think either would be ideal for sleeping on. You can get custom made mattresses if you wanted something 'proper' for sleeping.
Or did you mean something for underneath, in which case maybe just a rug.

the safety rule on the foam mats not for under 3s (or whatever) is probably because the toddler could potentially eat the foam and choke on it.

you might get lucky and have a child who is prepared to play in one place without an adult in the room. but 90% of kids between age 1 and 3 need an adult around who is engaged with them every 3-5 mins and is properly playing or talking to them, not staring at a phone or laptop. So please don't plan to actually do real work in a different room while your child is in the playpen. It is unfair on both the child and the work. (and I say this as a parent who was wfh with small children).

you can work while the child naps or is in nursery. when the child is awake in the house, you will be on childcare duty.

Foam tiles or a totter and tumble mat, I probably wouldn’t put a duvet in, that feels like a suffocation/over heating risk.

however like many others, there’s 0 chance I’d work in another room leaving my baby in a playpen (and I have 9m old twins).

Under 6m olds shouldn’t be left alone in a room anyway (sids risk) but older than that I still wouldn’t leave them for more than a few mins except for when they’re napping safely in their cots. Babies can get themselves in trouble so quickly, but also how boring for them being left alone with no interaction. Your baby is still very young and probably sleeps a lot? But that doesn’t last and they won’t want to be alone!

I’m not back fully yet but when I work for a few hours at a time now, my mum comes and watches them (when DH is at work).

Thank you all for the replies! Think I didn't explain the context clear enough. This will just be a temporary arrangement for probably a few months between now and when he turns one year old then we are likely to get a nursery place and/or a hand from grandparents. But point taken that the baby should not be left in a separate room.

We are first time parents so still learning a lot of things on the go, including imagining what the baby's behaviours and needs will be in the next few months... and probably under-estimated the daunting task that is childcare as so far the baby has been relatively easy going and not too demanding.

Will keep an open mind and be prepared to move our rooms set up on the go as we figure out the best way to juggle it. Thanks again for reading and commenting.

Is the baby crawling already?

I would put the interlocking foam matts underneath it, that way he can't pull bits off them

I'd possibly then put something like a padded play mat/single duvet at one end if he wants to have a chill and toys at the other?