Can I Use A Playpen Instead Of A Crib?

Can I Use A Playpen Instead Of A Crib?

All mothers, whether it is your first baby or not, go through a period of making lists.

You write a list of all the things your baby will need – from clothes all the way to the first pair of shoes.

That list not only helps you buy everything necessary for the baby, it also helps you decide what to buy for the baby.

You write down onesies or vests then later you decide whether to buy one or both of them.

One of the things that makes it on this list is a crib.

Most moms stroke it with a playpen.

Should they buy one or both?

 A comparison between a playpen and a crib

To understand whether you should buy either a crib or a playpen or both, you need to understand their similarities and their differences.

A crib, also known as a baby cot, is a small bed designed for babies.

It is designed to have barred sides, has comfortable mattresses and sometimes has soft paddings on the sides.

Most cribs are designed to be big enough for a baby to sleep in within the first few years.

However, most parents prefer having their babies sleep with them in bed for the first few months in a Moses basket until the baby is able to turn on their own.

A playpen, on the other hand, is a piece of furniture in which parents can leave their children for a short while when they are occupied.

Play pens come in an array of designs. Some have barred sides while others have meshed sides.

Others are made of wood while others are made of plastic.

Since they are meant to keep a toddler safe as he or she plays, playpens can come in any shape.

Some are circular, hexagonal, square or rectangular.

A playpen is also known as a play yard.

The differences

The first difference is in their purpose.

A crib is a small bed designed for babies and therefore is meant for the baby to sleep in.

A playpen is meant to create a secure area for the baby to stay when the parents are engaged or handful.

The second difference is in their portability since a crib is meant for the baby to sleep in, in most cases it is fixed.

Most cribs are not designed to be easily disassembled and later reassembled.

Playpens, on the other hand, are meant to provide a secure area for the baby to play in.

A playpen can, therefore, be used in the yard, inside the house or even outside the compound during a family picnic.

Because of its purpose, a playpen is designed to be easily disassembled and reassembled.

Since baby cots are meant for sleeping, they are designed to be above ground.

The height can be customized to a parent’s liking.

Playpens, on the other hand, are designed to be on the ground level.

They are meant to provide a comfortable space for the baby to play happily.

Baby cots can be used for babies who are days old to a few years old.

Playpens can only be used for children who are six months and above.

At this age, most children have learned to crawl.

 The similarities

The similarities of these two are observed in their uses.

Both a baby cot and a playpen can be used when one needs to securely put the baby down for a few minutes.

Since both have restrictions on the sides, whether it is mesh or bars, the baby stays safe as the mother handles other things for a short while.

Both can be used to change the baby.

When changing the baby, you need a flat surface that is also soft.

A crib has a soft and comfortable mattress while a play pen has a soft padding.

Because of this, both make a perfect place to change the baby.

Both can be used as a baby’s indoor playground.

A playpen is literally designed for this purpose.

A crib can be transformed into a playpen.

Simply put your child in the crib, add a few toys and a little padding on the bars and you are good to go.

 Can you use a playpen instead of a crib?

Yes, you can. Even though their structure and the purpose of their designs are different, their uses are very similar.

A crib is designed to be a small bed for a baby.

Therefore, it is designed to have bars that help keep the baby from falling and keeps.

It also has a soft mattress in which a baby can comfortably sleep in. A playpen can also be used as a bed for the baby.

As much as it was not designed to be a bed for the baby, if a baby falls asleep while playing in it, it’s ok to leave him or her there.

The reason for this is, a playpen also has a restrictive bar (sometimes it is a mesh instead of bars) and soft padding that functions the same as a mattress.

However, it is important to note that a playpen may not be a comfortable place for the baby to sleep overnight.

Apart from a comfortable place to sleep, a crib was designed to provide a safe space to leave the baby in case the mother needs to tend to something.

A playpen has been designed for this purpose.

If you need to take a shower and have no one to watch the baby, you can put him or her in the playpen instead of a crib.

A play pen is designed to have colorful restrictions.

Some come with toys while others come with a music box.

This makes it the perfect place to put down your baby instead of a crib.

Not yet convinced that you can use a playpen instead of a crib?

Here is one more reason why you can use a playpen instead of a crib.

Cribs are designed to be small beds.

Therefore, just like beds, they are not meant to be disassembled and reassembled easily.

A playpen is if you are going outdoors for several hours, it could be for a picnic or camping, instead of carrying a crib, carry a play pen.

The baby can play in it and sleep in it. This makes your load much lighter.