Baby Safety Playpen
6 Baby Playpen Features to Watch Out For
Author: Stuart Sherm
Gone are the days when things were bought for the basic needs they were supped to fulfill. Now is the time when you buy things with the extra added benefits, to get the best out of the money you spend. With the changing times and changing lifestyles, with both the parents working it has become essential to have a safe playpen for the baby.
Though factors like safety, easy cleanup, and ease of use remain the most important criteria that must be borne in mind while buying baby playpens, there are other features you can check out too, in order to ensure that the playpen gets used even more extensively. Some of them are:
1. Wheels- Baby playpens with wheels are always better than playpens without them. This allows easy maneuverability of the pen throughout the home.
2. Easy to fold up- These days such baby playpens are also available that can be folded up completely, into a small compact form that can be put into a bag or a carrying case too. This means that no mater where you and your baby travel to, your baby never has to miss his or her playpen! Generally such folding playpens come with a carrying case itself. So that you can fold them up and keep them conveniently in these cases.
3. Canopy- It is generally preferable to opt for playpens with a canopy. This ensures that you can take your child with their playpens even outdoors, in the sun. The canopy protects the baby, as your baby happily plays away in the playpens, without being bothered by the strong sunlight.
4. Changing station- Many manufactures manufacture such playpens these days, than have an extra yard that can serve as a changing unit, when required. These generally fit on the top, where you can lay your baby down for changing. This is an extremely useful feature that comes in handy on many occasions.
5. Playpens that can be used as cribs- These are playpens that can serve as cribs too, as and when you require. This means, that when you want your baby to have a crib to sleep in, you can change these. You can immediately transform it onto a crib, and when the child wishes to play, it can be used as a playpen. While traveling, this playpen-cum-crib feature can prove to be extremely useful.
6. The playpen should merge with the overall décor if the nursery or the house, otherwise it will look out of place.
However as you watch out for these added benefits in the playpens, do not forget to take your most important needs and requirements into consideration. For instance, as you purchase a playpen, it might be helpful for you to first make up your mind as to how much traveling would your baby be doing. No matter how many additional benefits does your playpen provide, what is really important is whether these benefits feature to your requirements and your overall lifestyle or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
How much did you spend on getting ready for baby?
New-ish parents: How much did you spend on gathering all the needs (and “extras”) for your first baby–including nursery decor and furniture, clothing, stroller, playpen, safety fittings etc.? What was given to you (i.e. hand-me-downs or shower gifts) and what did you have to save up to purchase yourself?
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ANSWER:
As a mother of 5 and grandmother of 4 I can tell you that we tend to spend way too much on items that are used for such a short time. I suggest looking for some items at resale shops or other places that sell used items. Borrow whatever you can from a friend. After buying an expensive swing I discovered that that baby didn’t even like the swing. Don’t go overboard on the clothes. There are so many cute outfits out there, but they outgrow them so fast. Ask friends and family to pool their money to buy you that special crib or stroller you want. buy combination items such as a crib that will convert to a twin bed, a playpen that you can use as a second or travel crib. But don’t go into debt to get these items. Your baby will never know the difference and you will enjoy your baby more if you aren’t worrying about how to pay for all the “extras” you thought you had to have.
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QUESTION:
Playpen safety for my 13month old?
My 13month son stays with his grandparents during the day on Fridays. He takes his nap in a play pen (same one used by my husband as a baby).He is already 30lbs and 2ft 7inches tall and I’m concerned about him getting out of the play pen. He has started screaming at nap time there as well and I’m wondering if he doesn’t like sleeping in it.
I’m also concerned safety. The room is filled with a lot of stuff and he could get into items if he got out.
Should I be concerned? If so, how should I address this with my inlaws (should they get a crib, clear out room, etc)
Thanks!
They also only live 5 minutes away. Do you think it would be easier for them to maybe watch him at our place where everything is available? Then we don’t have to worry about baby proofing that room (which has a lot of stuff in it – junk and otherwise)Yes, they do provide a huge favour for us but his safety is what concerns me most.
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ANSWER:
The playpen probably doesn’t meet current safety standards, and even if it did the baby is probably too big.If your baby is a climber then a crib isn’t going to last for very long either.
They really need a toddler bed, or a nap mat like daycares use and to baby proof the room, including bolting furniture like bookshelves and dressers to walls with anti-tip devices.
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QUESTION:
Baby Expensesfor new parent?
I was just wondering a Canadian site that I could go on to look at baby items and their prices.Also I was wondering if anybody could suggest maybe a good brand they used for each:
Baby Food
Bottles
Formula
Infant Cereal
Breast Pump and pads(one that is not as painful)
Disposable diapers
Diaper rash cream
Waterproof matress cover
Baby lotion/oil
baby shampoo
baby soap
baby carrier
swing
bassinet
crib
car seat
baby bathtub
playpen
stroller
safety covers and locks
latches for cabinetsAlso if you could please maybe say what would be best for what time during the baby’s first year
e.g.
1-3 months
4-6 months
7-9 months
10-12 monthsThank you sooo much
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ANSWER:
Baby Food – Heinz, Gerber, or Beech Nut. There are a lot of no name brands too.
Bottles – Medela
Formula – I didn’t use formula.
Infant Cereal -Nestle for earlier months (I found my kids digested it easier) and Heinz later on.
Breast Pump and pads(one that is not as painful) – Medela electric pump. It’s pricey, but it’ll change you’re life. As for pads, the best I found are silicone pads. They don’t just absorb the milk, they keep your breasts from leaking!
Disposable diapers – My kids had problems with Pampers, but Huggies were great for the first few months. When their skin got a little tougher, Superstore/Loblaws brand, Teddy’s Choice were perfect. They’ve recently changed their diapers, but they’re still good.
Diaper rash cream – Penaten
Waterproof matress cover – Not sure.. ours was a gift.
Baby lotion/oil -Johnson’s
baby shampoo- Johnson’s
baby soap – Johnson’s
baby carrier – I love the heart to heart sling.
swing – Mine’s Graco.. just make sure it’s not a wind up or you’ll go crazy.
bassinet – Didn’t have one.
crib – Anything’s good. It’s worth looking at the ones that convert to beds.
car seat – We have Graco and Evenflo. Both are good.
baby bathtub – Anything. They only use them for a couple of months.
playpen – Ours is Cosco and it’s great.
stroller – This is better to go online and check out individual models from each company. We’ve had problems with wheels not staying on ours (Evenflo). The systems with the car seats that attach are fantastic!
safety covers and locks – Safety First
latches for cabinets – Safety FirstI’m not entirely sure what you mean about what is best from each month, but if you get “What to Expect the First Year,” you’ll have all the information you will need! You can typically find books like this at second hand shops for REALLY cheap. Libraries have them too!
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QUESTION:
Are baby playpens really useful?
My baby and I are moving house this week so we will be living among cardboard boxes for a while. (not too long I hope!)
I’m slightly worried about the mess and the safety hazards that moving houses brings . So a friend suggested me to buy a playpen for the baby while I’ll be putting things together.
My son is almost 12 months and very active. I’m not sure a playpen would keep a crawling/cruising toddler happy.Have you used a playpen before? Are they any good for older babies?
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ANSWER:
I have a playpen for my 10 month old son (not a travel cot with mesh sides but a playpen with bars) and he is always happy to play in his playpen. He uses the bars to pull himself to stand and then cruises around the edges of the playpen. I also attach links to the bars which he rattles to make noise and put a few toys in his playpen for him to play with.I have used a travel cot (with mesh instead of bars) with my son before as a playpen but he hated it as he couldn’t pull himself to stand in it and also he couldn’t get a good view all round as 2 of the sides were solid fabric panels as opposed to see-through mesh panels.
So yes i would say playpens are useful, but the ones with bars are way better than the mesh ones. Also, some playpens like the one i have can be converted into room dividers, stair gates and fire guards. I have included a link to my playpen – http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_0_10751_-1__5915_10001_
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QUESTION:
What do I need for a baby?
okay, I may or may not be pregnant. Either way, that’s okay. I know I can get through it and be alright. But if I am, I’d like to be prepared so, so far I’ve composed a list of all the things I’d most likely need (with costs and everything) can anyone tell me if I’m missing anything?Crib (with crib mattress, crib sheets, and crib mattress pad)
Stroller (which comes with a car carrier)
Diaper bag
High chair
Changing table
Changing pad
Playpen
Blankets
Pacifiers
Bibs
Baby bath tub
baby carrier
baby swing
safety gate
Bottles
baby monitor
onsies
pajamas
baby shoes
baby clothes
baby socks
baby soap/shampooI didn’t calculate food or formula (or the big one, DIAPERS) but other than those am I missing anything I need to calculate into my possible budget.
I’m only 17, but I already graduated high school and I’m in college right now, my boyfriend also lives 13 hours away (he would move up here and we plan on getting married if I am, we were already engaged but it’d be for a sooner date, by a year). Any advice, tips, if I am, how should my boyfriend and I tell my parents? Also, so far with everything but the food, diapers, and formula I’m looking at spending ,600 and I have 0 already and a job, so does anyone have anything to add my list? Or tips like should I get another job (I only work 14 hours a week, and two days a week.)
I know I sound like I’m in a heap of mess and should abort it or set it up for adoption but I can’t deal with the conciousness of doing either since it’d be my fault he/she is born. I just need to be prepared for it and get tested and see my cardiologist (since I have a pacemaker) which adds into the mess of the situation but I’m not too stressed as I am trying to be prepared. So I’m sorry for rambling, but am I missing anything on my list?
Thanks.
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ANSWER:
The main things I see you’re missing are a baby first aid kit (you shouldn’t use normal thermometers or nail clippers for them), and if you decide to breastfeed (which is cheaper and very good for you and the baby), you’ll probably want a glider style chair and a breastfeeding pillow.
If you’ve got money in savings and a budget, you can be even more frugal if the town you’re in has a local freecycle community, and by checking craigslist.org. Mom2Mom sales are also a great place to get baby clothes and toys (and a lot of those items look like new). Just make sure that anything you get 2nd hand meets current recommendations and doesn’t have any recalls on it.
Good Luck!
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QUESTION:
manufacturers equipment for children, is it nessecary?
Manufacturers are creating more and more equipment for parents to buy for their children. This equipment includes such items as car safety seats (essential to safety), playpens, walkers (essentially unsafe), baby gyms, baby monitors. These items vary in terms of how useful they are and how necessary they are. Equipment manufacturers would have parents believe that all equipment is both necessary and useful. In at least 300 words discuss whether pieces of equipment fill a need for infants or a desire for parents.-
ANSWER:
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QUESTION:
Is it ok to keep a maltese puppy in this playpen? (please click on link)?
I have been seriously thinking about getting a maltese for quite some time and i was initially going to use baby gates but then i was told a crate or playpen is much more effective, i started thinking of keeping the pup in this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PET-TENT-PLAYPEN-Dog-Cage-Soft-Crate-Kennel-D-140cm-L_W0QQitemZ350094233655QQihZ022QQcategoryZ164488QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem.
He would be left here while i am at work and i will put plenty of toys, food, water.. i will make sure i let it out as soon as i get back from work and spend alot of time with it etc i am also planning on opening up one of the zippers and inserting a crete to attach to the play pen so it can go there to do it’s business or i can keep pads.
I’ve researched alot and i do understand that it is cruel to leave it completely alone however, my mum will be in the house, but they will have to stay in this play pen while im at work for safety reasons etc.
The pup is maltese, will be 8 wks when i recieve it and will be vacc, microchipped and vet checked. Please, no harsh answers or judging, the reason why i ask is so i don’t put the pup in danger at all so i would appreciate any info thankshttp://cgi.ebay.com.au/PET-TENT-PLAYPEN-Dog-Cage-Soft-Crate-Kennel-D-140cm-L_W0QQitemZ350092941283QQihZ022QQcategoryZ164488QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
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ANSWER:
Use a crate, do your homework on them. Dogs think of them as dens and in their den is where they feel safe. Think like a dog, not a human when you make choices for them.
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QUESTION:
How do I deal with this? Sorry long question about child safety?
So I’m a stay at home mum to a 9 months old very good girl. Which is not the problem. Before my daughter was born we hired a house keeper to help with the cleaning and ironing. She’s staying with us full time.
She’s very good with the cleaning and I couldn’t be happier because having someone else to take care of the house gives me full time to concentrate on my daughter. Now this person in the past has been taking my baby’s clothes without asking (I always give her the ones Emily’s not using anymore myself) and this is been going on for a while until I had a serious word with her and she eventually stopped.
She doesn’t speak any italian (we live in italy) and very little english so I find hard to communicate. What I know though is that she’s a serious threatening to my baby’s health. She keeps putting random things into her playpen (50 cents coins, sharp or very small objects, antique dolls from my collection) and doesn’t matter how many times I tell her not to put anything in there I still find the most random objects in it. I always make sure I check but I know that one day either me or someone else will put her down distractedly and something bad will happen.Playpen should be a safe space for a baby. Also the other day I sat my daughter on her highchair to get her lunch ready. After And I swear I could tell her/shout for days and still get no result. Should I send her away? Because i really feel bad about it but what else can I do?-
ANSWER:
In a nice way- YES you should send her away.If you have told her multiple times about the safety of your child and she still isn’t understanding, then she needs to be gotten rid of. Your childs safety is the most important thing in this situation.
You said so yourself- “Shes a serious threatning to your babys health”…its time to get rid of her before she does something worse. Please, for the sake of your Daughter, fire her!
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