Getting the Most Use From a Play Pen or Playard
How to Create a Safe and Happy Environment for Baby & Family
Oct 8, 2009
Browsing the parenting forums and message boards one will get the impression that using a play pen is not at all straight forward and is, to some extent, indicative of poor parenting. The sort of comments one will find are:
- They are only used for a few months of babies' lives.
- Children will not stay in them for long.
- Children are unhappy in them.
- Children are bored in them, hence always sleeping.
- They are used by lazy parents.
Whether play pens are in some way psychologically damaging and are used by lazy parents is the subject of an interesting piece by Tom Vanderbilt. This article will address their practical use.
What Age of Baby Should Go in a Play Pen?
Children should be put in the play pen before they can move about. They could spend some time in there from birth, but certainly should ideally be introduced to the environment before 6 months of age.
When a baby starts to move, by crawling, rolling or shuffling, he will not appreciate suddenly being enclosed. Crying and distress is going to follow. If the infant is used to spending time in the play pen, he will take it for granted.
What Length of Time Should Be Spent in the Play Pen?
There is no rule, however, the time spent in the play pen at any session should usually be measured in minutes not hours. Young children need to be able to move and to interact with people and the world around them. Time in the play pen might be 10 or 20 minutes; other times, it might be longer, up to one hour.
Children could have a number of separate sessions in the play pen during the day, perhaps in the morning when mum takes a shower and at meal time when hot pots, pans and dishes are being manoeuvred.
Some time should be spent in the play pen every day as part of the infant's routine. But, the play pen should not be used as a tool for discipline or punishment, as it will then have a negative association.
When are Children Too Old for the Play Yard?
This will depend on the size and construction. A sturdy large play pen could be used in to the second year. If it has a gate, the gate could be left open and an older pre-school child could continue to use it as a play den.
What Should be in the Play Pen?
Anything which would not be left in the baby's cot should not be in the play pen including blankets, pillows, and unsafe toys, anything involving long strings which could strangle.
A variety of toys and books should be in the play pen. They should be neat and tidy, possibly in a small box so that the child can enjoy taking them all out, examining them and generally making a mess.
Sharing a Play Yard, Twins, Siblings & Friends
If the space is large enough, then two or three children will be more contented than one alone. Generally, children love company.
There are additional safety concerns, however. The children must be supervised and should be of similar age and ability. It is most important that a baby is not left alone with a toddler in a play pen, or in any room, as there is the potential for a serious accident to occur.
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