Play Pen
A playpen in a house with a baby is a lifesaver.
It is a wonderful pack and getting your son or your daughter a playpen is the sweetest thing you can do for him.
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Watching your baby sleep or even play in a playpen is so satisfying for you as a parent.
The comfort of your baby is what concerns you at all times as a parent.
A playpen has several advantages for both you and the baby.
For the baby it helps baby develop an independent, decisive and orderly character in most occasions.
The playpen however has disadvantages and this may make several parents not use it.
The playpens disadvantages are amplified when the baby is left alone and un-monitored in the playpen.
The playpen overuse is not a benefit to both you and the baby.
The playpen saves you when you need to attend to responsibilities. In as much as the playpen is good, there is an age that reaches that you as a mom needs to let it go.
It may be a lifesaver but your hero has a limit and it may no longer make sense using the playpen.
There are certain factors that limit the usage of a playpen.
The following factors are explained below; they may help you take the considerations of no longer using a playpen.
What to consider
Your baby’s weight and height
When you buy a playpen for your baby, he or she is usually very small in most cases.
There are some parents who use the playpens from birth too.
We should take note that the baby is growing up and they do grow fast hence sooner or later you may consider parking up the playpen and taking it to the store.
If your baby is getting heavier and you notice the playpen may not hold him or her then dismiss the playpen for security reasons.
Do not be stubborn and disregard the fact that baby is gaining weight as he or she grows.
There are also babies who grow tall quicker than others.
If you notice your baby’s height is increasing, then you should also be aware that soon and very soon you will be getting rid of the playpen.
The baby has started outgrowing the playpen and soon he will climb out.
For this reason, always check your baby’s weight and monitor his growth.
The playpen conditions
After something is used a lot then it may tend to start wearing out.
At the same time, how you use the play pen is important.
If the playpen is used carelessly then it will wear and tear very fast.
Your toddler’s safety should always come first.
If you notice any signs of weakness on the play pen, then quit using it.
If there is any wood or metal that is loose or even broken the that playpen is not fit for use.
Babies are extremely mobile, if they play there, they may get injured.
You should be extremely cautious with the playpen especially if it is second hand or it has been handed down for your baby to use from a friend.
If you notice anything unusual about the playpen’s stability, then quit its use.
Parental anxiety
This may sound unrealistic and maybe you did not get paranoid about the playpen, but there are parents who get this feeling which leads to anxiety.
As a parent you do not need to stay up late watching your baby sleep in the playpen and worry about their safety.
If at all the playpen makes you feel anxious as a parent when your baby is using it then dismiss its use.
Taking care of your bundle of joy should be fun and enjoyable but not stressful.
If you think it is not safe for baby to use then forget about the playpen you can survive without it.
You should trust your instincts if you feel the playpen is not a good idea.
Your baby’s activities
As a parent you should note everything your baby is doing.
As the baby grows up then what he does tends to change too.
There are things that you should keep in mind.
When the baby starts to roll over, pull up or even if the baby is trying to climb up the playpen then it is time to quit using the playpen.
If he can climb out on his own, then you should no longer use the playpen.
The playpen cannot go on being a safe zone for your baby if he can climb out of it.
This is among the reasons as to why you as a parent should always monitor your baby’s actions each and every day.
The age of your baby
There is a certain age that you should consider to quit using a playpen.
If your baby is almost three years old then that is a big boy or girl, at this age the baby can walk and even the baby is heavier at around this age.
At the same time the baby should start getting more used to the surrounding that he or she is in.
Let the baby out of the playpen if he can already stand up on his own.
Give him freedom to explore his environment.
Let him or her use the tables to support himself as he walks do not limit his explorations.
If you let him out of the playpen, then you should make sure that everything in the house is placed in such a way that the baby will not hurt himself.
Place knives and utensils and anything that may act as a risk for your baby away from their surroundings.
Conclusion
Basically, playpens are safe zones for your baby.
They really help out moms and they buy moms time to attend to other responsibilities.
However, playpens will not serve you forever.
The baby as time goes by the baby tends to outgrow the playpen.
He will gradually lean how to climb out all by himself.
He even may start rolling over in the playpen which may be harmful by making the playpen unstable for your baby.
You should always note that when your baby has started walking then you should be making plans to get rid of the playpen.