Playpen At Night
A playpen is a safe area in which a baby gets to both play and sleep.
Table of Contents
Play is very important for a baby.
Through it they can be creative.
They are also able to develop both their physical and emotional strength.
During the day as the baby plays and rests in the playpen, they can fall asleep.
The playpen is a good place for the baby to sleep since the adult will be around to watch the whole time.
Playpens are used by the caregivers as substitutes for full size cribs when the babies fall asleep.
The question that comes up is whether the playpen is a safe place for the baby to sleep at night.
The baby can sleep in a playpen during the night but with many measures in place.
It is not as same as a crib and thus there are some precaution measures that an adult should consider when placing the baby to sleep there at night.
Some of the hazards to look out for in a playpen especially when a baby is sleeping at night include:
Side rails that collapse. This makes the babies trapped
Broken and damaged playpens that entrap babies
Large mesh on the playpens which holds buttons on children clothing ending up in suffocation
Soft toys and beddings inside the playpens when babies are there which can lead to suffocation
Mattresses which are ill-fitting can cause the baby to be wedged in between and lead to suffocation
Curtains can cause strangulation when the playpen is placed too close to the window
For a playpen to be safe for a baby to sleep it should have the following:
The playpen should have a firm surface: you should use a firm mattress on the playpen especially of you want your baby to sleep in it. The mattress should not have any dents or be too soft.
The mattress should be well fitting and with fitted bedsheets: It is advised that you should not change the mattress you bought the playpen with. You should also not add an extra one in the playpen. The space created by the two mattresses or a mattress that is not well fitting can be dangerous for your baby.
The playpen should have enough space for the baby to move during their sleep: the play yard should be comfortable for the baby especially during their sleep. The baby should be able to move comfortably especially when they are sleeping.
There should not be any soft toys and pillows when the baby is sleeping in it: soft toys and pillows can be dangerous for a baby especially when they are sleeping. A baby can grab them, and they can cause them to suffocate leading to SIDS.
It should be well attached to avoid any parts falling apart when the baby sleeping: Ensure that your playpen is attached properly especially when you are leaving the baby to sleep in it. If any of the sides are not locked properly in place, the baby can strangle in the sloping spaces. The baby can also suffocate if they roll up into the pocket formed at the bottom.
When the baby is sleeping you should not cover them with any beddings: you should dress your baby with comfortable PJs when they are sleeping at night. This is to avoid covering them with beddings. The baby can roll into them and this can cause blockage of their air flow leading to suffocation.
Always place the infant to sleep on their back: a baby should be put to bed on their back when sleeping. Placing them on their stomach can lead to blockage in their airways and lead to suffocation.
Ensure that the playpen is in good shape before putting an infant to sleep in it. A modified playpen or one that is improperly repaired can create a danger to the baby.
Room share: during the first six months, you can keep their sleeping area in your room. Place the playpen close to your bed. this will make it easier to feed, change and watch your baby. You can also keep an eye on them since they are close by and offer comfort.
Sleep is very important for a baby.
A baby who sleeps regularly grows well.
This is because their muscles are well rested and strengthened.
It is necessarily for the baby to sleep in a safe environment.
If your baby sleeps in a playpen for the night, it is important as a parent to practice the safe sleeping techniques.
This is especially helpful when preventing SIDS.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome happen in children who are under twelve months old.
The cause as the name suggests is sudden and has not been fully determined.
Even as your baby sleeps in the playpen at night it is important that your practice safe sleeping techniques.
Below are some tips to remember when keeping your child safe in a playpen:
Playpens should not be used for unsupervised sleep. They do not meet the necessary safety requirements since they are not as durable as baby cribs
If the playpen has a bassinet do not place the baby in it when the bassinet is still in place. The infant’s head can be trapped in the gap created between the bassinet and the playpen and end up strangling or suffocating the baby.
The baby should not be placed to sleep on the bassinet which is also known as the change table
The sides of the playpen should always be set up and locked securely before leaving a baby in it. If the sides are left down the baby can roll over into the space in between the mattress and mesh and end up suffocating.
Do not use blankets or pillows in the playpen since they can lead to suffocation.
Supervise the baby constantly just to ensure that they are safe
Do not place the playpen near a window where there are curtains within rich. The baby can reach them and entangle themselves. This can cause a strangulation risk.
The playpen should be placed away from furniture, doors and appliances for the child’s safety.
The floor pad of the playpen should be firm. If it is worn out it could pose a suffocation danger.
Ensure the playpen is assembled correctly following the manufacturer’s instructions. You should also consider the baby’s weight and age before putting them to sleep in it.