play pens??

[neekynoo]

good morning all :wave: Just wondering if anyone can recommend a good play pen or the like? Do you think you need to spend a lot to get a better one or are they all basically the same? Are they even a good idea anymore? DD isn't crawling yet but is doing commando rolls across the floor to the other side and I need somewhere to put her when I want to go to the loo, hang out washing etc etc...
Hope you can help :fingerscrossed:

[tootiredtosleep]

I havent bought a play pen, but use a portacot instead.
If I wanted DD to stay in the one place for a little while I would put her in the portacot.
We needed it to block off part of the doorway, so its set up all the time.

[Harlequin]

The Valco VeeBee ones, they are awesome. The 6-sided one is HUGE and will last ages.

http://www.valco.com.au/ProductItem.asp?pid=55&bid=37&sid=596

[neekynoo]

I havent bought a play pen, but use a portacot instead.
If I wanted DD to stay in the one place for a little while I would put her in the portacot.
We needed it to block off part of the doorway, so its set up all the time.

I hadn't thought of that option :yes: It's a good idea. Any type of portacot? I've read that some are not as safe as others.


The Valco VeeBee ones, they are awesome. The 6-sided one is HUGE and will last ages.

These look good too. Probably a bit expensive for us though but maybe they're all about that price.
Thanks for the help :D

[Jelly Baby]

The Valco VeeBee ones, they are awesome. The 6-sided one is HUGE and will last ages.

http://www.valco.com.au/ProductItem.asp?pid=55&bid=37&sid=596


I bought the 4 sided one for $149.

Try Baby Zone Direct for cheaper ones under $100.

http://www.babyzonedirect.com.au/catalogue/c10/c133

[Harlequin]

Just be careful buying a portacot as bub might get sick of it a lot quicker because of the size.
Also when Ava was learning to stand she was pretty good at climbing up the walls of her portacot :D

[neekynoo]

Thanks for all the advice so far everyone :D

Still seeking anyones opinion on the normal run of the mill play pens with the panels? I do like the look of the valco one but would also like some suggestions for panel ones too.

[jaq]

We had a lot of space so bought a big six-sided pen that is still in service three years later. (It's around the bbq on the patio!) I used it for exactly what you are talking about: a safe place other than the cot for when you need to go to the loo, shower etc.

You can fill it up with toys and a) they stay in one place and b) the pen becomes the fun zone - mine both loved being in there! That lasted until Annika started to walk - she used to push the playpen around and it didn't seem real safe. Not so for Sofia - the playpen was a no-no the minute she could crawl. See sister, will follow. WILL FOLLOW! :hissy:

Praticalities - get the biggest one you have the space for - its nice to be able to hop in yourself and stretch out on a pillow (if you're me, with a book ;) while bub just climbs all over you. But obviously, be sure you have the space for it - its nice to be able to set it up right in the middle of everything so they can see what's going on. Ours was in the living area across from the kitchen and adjacent to the computer!

Nick tested quite a few and he found the plasticcy ones that slot together are easily pushed over, whereas the hexagonal timber one we ended up getting was really well balanced and stable. And the timber is still good, even after we used one piece as a gate outside for 12 months or so!

Make sure you have a look on ebay for second hand - its not the type of thing that gets a lot of wear, so you should be able to pick up a good one quite easily.

Good luck!

[KatiesMum]

I got a wooden square one from Kmart and DD hated it. Was ok - I ended up using this around our heater :laughing: and bought a plastic slot together one with toys and stuff on 1 panel (from BigW) and it was awesome. DD loved it.

Best of luck

[InSaneOne]

i just used an old one my grandma had used for all us kids years and years ago. it was wooden and about 1.5 metres square. but i found the easiest thing was to put it around the tv and to buy a few baby gates (metal ones that opened and closed) and to make 1 room babysafe. then she could have an area to play in all the time and if the phone rang or i had to hang washing out beth was safe in the one room without being "caged" in a tiny space.

[~Bec~]

Praticalities - get the biggest one you have the space for - its nice to be able to hop in yourself and stretch out on a pillow (if you're me, with a book ;) while bub just climbs all over you.

That's exactly what I was going to say. :)

DS's playpen recently had a makeover :D
http://photos-by-rebecca.photos.gb.com/p49486275.html

[Frazzled]

We got a plastic one from Babies galore - its four sided in primary colours. You can get extension pieces for it. It was excellent - one of my best purchases yet. DS couldn't climb out of it until 18 mths (even after the cot).

[neekynoo]

Thank you all :D This is good advice and you've all given me some good ideas. I guess it a bit of trial and error too? We're about to move house in 2 weeks so I'll wait til we get it all set up and then see how much room we've got left etc etc. Hopefully DD won't learn to crawl before then :p