Playpens

A playpen can be a busy mom’s best friend. Playpens provide a safe place for your baby to play, allowing you to put your attention elsewhere without worrying that baby will get injured.

While many moms use a playpen for a baby’s naps even when he’s a newborn, they’re most useful once your baby begins to crawl. At this age, your baby is prone to crawling out of sight or getting into things that could be dangerous if you turn your back for just a second. With a playpen, you can ensure that the baby’s safe even if you’re not watching for a few minutes. In addition, a playpen makes a great place for your baby to take naps.

When choosing a playpen, there are several things you should look for. First, check the playpen for safety. Since playpens are designed to fold up for travel and storage, they have lots of hinges that can be very dangerous to little fingers and toes if they don’t properly lock. You should also check the internet for recalls on playpens, to ensure that you’re not choosing one that’s been recalled. This is especially important if you’re considering purchasing a used baby playpen.

Another thing to consider when choosing a baby play pen is size. If you’ll only be using your playpen at home, you’ll likely want one as large as you can find. If, however, you intend to use your playpen as a portable crib for traveling, you might want to find one a bit smaller. The larger the playpen, the more difficult it will be to transport. Be sure, however, that any playpen you choose stands at least 22 inches off the floor. This will help prevent your child from climbing out.

Finally, consider your baby’s comfort. Your playpen may have a mattress in the bottom, or will at least have a foam pad for your child to sit on. Inspect the mattress, choosing the one that provides the most support and comfort.

Once you’ve selected your playpen, don’t be discouraged if you find that your crawling baby resists playing in there. He may recognize that the playpen restricts his new found freedom. Make sure that the playpen always contains some favorite toys of his, rotating them often so that there’s always something new for him to enjoy. If he has plenty to amuse and entertain him, he’ll grow comfortable with spending time in the playpen.