Playpens have proven to be necessities in raising toddlers. Toddlers can be quite a handful to control as they can now crawl, walk, and pull at things. This is worse when you have other things to do and you don’t want them getting in your way or harming themselves while you're away. Getting a playpen for them could be the best solution to this problem. Playpens help to keep your child busy while simultaneously restricting the toddler’s movements to within the pen, thereby preventing risks of collision and other hazards.
There are a number of things to consider when getting a safe playpen for your toddler and this buying guide offers useful on that end. Read on.
Why Do You Need A Playpen?
Ease
A playpen is designed as a safe space to keep your child while you're busy doing other things in the house, at work or trying to take a nap yourself. This eases the burden of having to carry your toddler everywhere and you can work or rest without having to worry about your child’s location.
Security
One of the major functions of a playpen is keeping your toddler safe while you are busy. A playpen is built with fences that keep your baby safe within its walls. They are usually strong enough to keep your toddler in while being simultaneously easy for you to access.
Makeshift Bed
Due to its comfortable interiors and portability, a playpen can be used as a makeshift bed for your toddler in the absence of one. This means that rather than carry your baby's cot or bed, which might be a hassle, you can make use of the playpen bed when going for a picnic or visiting a friend or family.
Child Development
A playpen gives your toddler a safe space for some personal playtime. It is recommended that for healthy growth, a toddler needs some personal playtime. It helps to improve a child’s independence, calmness and boost his creativity.
Demarcation
If you're keeping your toddler in your own room and not a separate room or when sharing a room between two kids, a playpen’s adjustable fence can be used as a means of demarcating the room and dividing it for the two kids. It can also be used as a baby gate, to protect your toddlers from certain things like fireplaces, falling off staircases, balconies, etc.
What Are The Types of Playpens?
Although all playpens serve the same function, they can be classified based on shape, size, the material with which they were made, and portability but, the major types are;
Traditional Playpens
They are usually made of wood and have flat, hard floors, with wooden bars serving as a fence all around the playpen. A lot of attention is required as you need to keep an eye on your kid at all times, to avoid self-harm. They’re best for stationary use as they are usually too heavy to be moved around.
Modern Playpens
These ones can be made of more comfortable materials ranging from soft plastic or nylon to basic metal. They’re usually lighter and foldable into a compact form.
Travel Playpens
They are usually the best to carry along when going for picnics, outdoor events, work, etc. They are foldable and require lesser trunk space. Minimal attention is required because they are so safe that they let you leave your toddler in another room or somewhere that doesn't require you checking on your baby every minute.
What To Look Out For When Getting a Playpen
Safety
The first and most important thing to look out for is the safety of the playpen you want to purchase. You have to check thoroughly to see that there are no sharp edges, corners, and points that can harm the child. Also ensure that there is no small object that can be swallowed and that there is no opening or space in the mesh big enough to trap your kid’s finger, head, or entangle his cloth.
Child Weight
To avoid a collapse of the playpen, ensure that your child is not overweight for the playpen you're trying to get.
Gate
This helps to make sure that you don't have to lift your child over the fence and into the playpen all the time. This gate, however, has to be hard enough for your child to open but easy and safe for you to operate.
Adjustable
The fence of the playpen has to be adjustable to support an extension of the gate when necessary and to give space for other functions like improvising it for a baby gate.
Portability
To allow for ease of movement, you should go for playpens that have wheels and can be folded into a reasonably small size.
High Walls
Ensure that the walls of the playpen are high and strong enough to keep your child in. To avoid the risk of the toddler climbing or falling out, the walls should be at least 0.5meter high. Also, ensure that the floor of the playpen is anti-slip.
Mesh Sides
This feature would let you be able to easily keep an eye on your toddler from afar and it would allow for proper ventilation in the playpen.
Bassinet
This extra feature allows you to be able to raise the sleeping platform of your toddler. This feature can come in handy on nights when you're too tired to bend low.
How Much Do Toddler Playpens Cost?
The price of toddler playpens varies and depends largely on the size and features but they generally cost from around 60 dollars to over 300 dollars.
Toddler Playpen FAQs
Q. Can A Toddler Sleep Overnight In A Playpen?
A. Definitely. You can lay your toddler to sleep in a playpen as it is often substituted for a baby bed. However, ensure that the playpen is well set up before laying him or her to sleep.
Q. At What Age Should A Toddler Stop Using A Playpen?
A. The age is not all that important compared to the height and weight of the child. You should stop using a playpen as soon as your child starts to climb out on his own.
Q. How Long Can You Keep A Toddler In A Playpen?
A. As important as a playpen is for child growth, it is not advisable to confine your toddler in for too long as it would limit your child’s exploration of his surroundings.