play pen or no play pen

[Jessica60]

My ds is starting to crawl. Has anyone purchased a play pen or anything else to help out with keeping them in one place and safe? How do you baby proof? Are the pens worth the money?

 

[wifey29]

We have a travel cot up in our living room as we have VERY hard natural slate flooring throughout our hall and kitchen. DS is cruising and therefore falling over constantly, so we decided that it would be good to have somewhere safe that I can put him while I get breakfast/lunch made. We switch between this and sitting him in the highchair at our breakfast bar facing me with a bunch of toys or wooden spoons, but he doesn't tolerate that for long. He really loves sitting in the cot surrounded by books and teddies. I quite often come in after a few minutes to find him snuggled up looking at pictures lol.

 

[Sparrow85]

Yes, I bought a playpen for kiddicare.

He's sitting unaided now and I don't think he's far off crawling, so I needed somewhere that I can pop him in, in living room if I need to do something or if I need to leave him for a moment.

The one I bought was only £25, but it's fantastic and really big, but can also double as a travel cot and folds up, and it's worth it to me just for peace of mind. He's also started napping in it, which is really the only time he's in it just now. I'm happy and he's happy.

 

[lozza1uk]

I bought one, an expensive baby dan one and gave never used it! He crawled early so I never thought he'd tolerate it, it was easier just to let him follow me round or there was nothing he could damage or hurt himself on in the lounge so I just used to close the door and he'd have the whole room.

 

[staralfur]

Totally not worth it for us. Didn't see any point in putting her in it before she was mobile, and once she was mobile she had no interest in staying in the playpen.

 

[Nat0619]

Yes we've got one and it's one of the best things I've bought. It's literally only used maybe a couple of times a day for no more than 15 mins (usually less) at a time. But is invaluable in me knowing Ciara is somewhere safe whilst I nip to the loo, get showered/dressed of a morning. It's a padded one with mesh sides, so I know she can't hurt herself if she falls. She gets fed up after 10-15 mins or so but isn't generally in longer than that anyway. I give her as much free rein as possible but her safety when I can't be with her is so important.

Also good when need to load stuff in or out of the car

 

[jessicatunnel]

We have one but have only used it like twice. Like staralfur said, there was no point in putting her in it before she was mobile, and she didn't want to stay contained after she was mobile.
BUT, we've bought one that she can sleep in (like a travel cot) for when we visit family or go anywhere where we will be sleeping somewhere else.

 

[ClairAye]

I've never owned one, I just let him crawl/walk about the house but I would have bought one to put around things like the tv etc so he couldn't crawl into/pull up on things that he shouldn't

 

[kirst76]

We got a play pen when Arya was 8 months....when in it all she did was scream at the top of her lungs...its currently on trademe, lol!!

 

[pinklightbulb]

I used one when I had an open plan house with no doors in good places. It did Eamon no harm

 

[Clucky as]

I use one very large. when I'm making food etc. especially now he is pulling himself up on things including wanting to play with the oven. only for short periods of time. He actually likes it coz I play in there with him sometimes. And he has play pen toys so gets all excited to see them again.

 

[bananaz]

Totally not worth it for us. Didn't see any point in putting her in it before she was mobile, and once she was mobile she had no interest in staying in the playpen.

Same here. I got a really nice, expensive playpen and filled it with lots of fun toys but as soon as I set my LO in there she immediately crawled to the side and started screaming to get out. Babyproofing my living room was a much better move.

 

[Babushka]

I'm being induced tonight so haven't had my baby yet but I've already bought a play yard for her. The one I got is a 6 sided V-Bee and it's diameter is 2 metres.

We are going to put it up as soon as we bring her home because we have 2 young dogs in the house (18 & 14 months). One is very over active, they both love to lick and steal toys and chew up anything they find. A lot of people have commented that it's wrong to put baby in pen but I figure that it keep her toys etc safe from them & I will be able to put her in it whilst I'm cooking dinner and the dogs can't lick her. It will also be a hygienic spot where the dogs haven't been. However, I won't leave the room whilst she is in there, I will take her with me. It makes me feel better knowing that there is a barrier between her and them.

I recommend anyone get one

Pardon my grammar, I'm very sleep deprived.

 

[Larkspur]

I got a wooden one, I guess it's about 1.5 x 1.5m. I keep his box of toys in there so it's kind of a treat to be able to get in there and haul everything he likes out, rather than just the ones I've chosen for him each day.

My downstairs area is pretty well babyproofed but it's not bulletproof (if he put his mind to it, he could haul around some small tables, or get excited and doof his head on the concrete fireplace mantel or something) so if I have to do anything that puts me out of immediate supervision for a few minutes, like hanging out laundry, cooking something, etc, in he goes. He is quite happy in there for short periods, and for the peace of mind it gives, it's worth it even if I only use it 10 minutes in a day.

 

[gemxgem]

I have bought a travel cot/playpen but only going to use it when I need to do things such as going to the loo or answering the door etc, he would only be in it for a few mins. Wanted a travel cot though too and thought it was a good idea to buy one that did both things as seen as he's not going to be in it for long!

 

[gemxgem]

Mothercare have a playpen that can also be used as a room divider instead if u don't want to use a playpen

https://www.mothercare.com/Lindam-Safe-Secure-Fabric-Playpen/450914,default,pd.html

 

[kirst76]

I'm being induced tonight so haven't had my baby yet but I've already bought a play yard for her. The one I got is a 6 sided V-Bee and it's diameter is 2 metres.

We are going to put it up as soon as we bring her home because we have 2 young dogs in the house (18 & 14 months). One is very over active, they both love to lick and steal toys and chew up anything they find. A lot of people have commented that it's wrong to put baby in pen but I figure that it keep her toys etc safe from them & I will be able to put her in it whilst I'm cooking dinner and the dogs can't lick her. It will also be a hygienic spot where the dogs haven't been. However, I won't leave the room whilst she is in there, I will take her with me. It makes me feel better knowing that there is a barrier between her and them.

I recommend anyone get one

Pardon my grammar, I'm very sleep deprived.

This is how to do it....if they are put in a play pen from the beginning they are totally fine with it. Our plunket nurse told us that a lot of babies hate play pens because they aren't used to being confined no matter how many shiny toys are in there.

Good luck with the inducing!!!

 

[Button#]

I was going to buy a playpen and I'm glad I didn't bother. I used the travel cot for a couple of weeks but he started piling up his toys and trying to climb out and if he didn't have any toys in there he'd scream so I just put a stair gate on the kitchen, put anything breakable up high and let him get on with it.

 

[RKW]

We have a dog so our baby dan one is invaluable! Baby's baby gym is in it and its at a high level right now so she is not on the floor. I find it so reassuring to know whn she is in there she is safe and I can pop the bins out without worrying the dog might get a bit too interested in her!

 

[highhopes19]

The playpen has been a god send to me when I'm cleaning, cooking, shower, toilet etc. even more so now I've moved out and I'm on my own with her all day needing to get things done.

I fill It with toys and she loves it always has sometimes she even takes herself into it x