Buying a playpen

Why buy a playpen?

A playpen gives you a safe space to keep your child while you answer the door, catch up on household chores, or get yourself ready for work.

Some experts feel that playpens can restrict children. However, the design of your house, or your circumstances at home, may mean you occasionally need somewhere safe to place your baby for a short period of time.

While playpens have been popular in the West, they are finding their way into many Indian homes now. Many mums in nuclear families find playpens useful. Keeping your baby in a playpen with some toys will keep her busy and still under your supervision. This will allow you to get some work done or even take a short break!

Playpens are a good example of how baby equipment has dramatically improved over the years. In the past, most playpens had metal frames, wide (finger-entangling) meshing and a tendency to collapse around their occupant!

Today's playpens are more than safe. They're good-looking, and easy to fold and pack away. Some also double as travel cots, or can be converted into room dividers, or stair gates.

From what age can my baby use a playpen?

A playpen comes into its own when your child is just beginning to crawl at about six or seven months. However, it's a good idea to buy a playpen before your baby's moving around too much, so she can get used to it.

Before you go ahead and buy a playpen, think about how and where you'll use it. For example, do you want your baby to be able to nap in it? Do you want to be able to move it around from one room to another sometimes?


What else should I think about before buying a playpen?

Always check that the playpen you intend to buy meets basic safety guidelines.

If you want to use a second-hand playpen, give it a thorough check to make sure that there are no loose parts or damage. Don't use a playpen if it's damaged, dirty, or has holes in the sides or in the floor padding.

If your family likes to travel, you could consider looking for a playpen-cum-travel cot that you can take along with you on your trips. Pick something that is lightweight and portable, but solid and safe, too.

How do I keep a playpen safe and fun?

When setting up a playpen, think carefully about where you put it. Playpens should be kept away from windows, balconies, open fires, heaters and radiators.


However, be careful not to put anything in your playpen that your baby could use to lever herself out. Babies can be amazing escape artists!

It's also best not to dangle toys with ribbons, cords or threads from the side of the playpen. Your baby could use them to tip over the pen, or she could get tangled up in the ribbon or thread.


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