Playpen? (babies, wife, play, son)

[nnyl]

Does anybody know why "playpens" went the way of the dinosaur?

I have a grand-child that visits weekly and when my kids were little that's what we used to use so we could maybe do some dishes, fold laundry, etc.

I can only find, these days, pack-n-plays, which aren't the same.

[Kibbiekat]

I'm not sure why. Pack n plays can be used the same way, they are just a little smaller.

[love roses]

Yeah, I thought Pack n plays were essentially the same thing. Just don't add the attachments and let them sit inside with some toys.

[Mattie]

My son and his wife have made a playpen out of the entire living room using something like this:
North States Superyard Colorplay Play Yard - buybuyBaby.com

The one they have can be expanded to fence off a large area. I had an old fashioned playpen when my oldest was tiny, but he hated it, so I tossed it.

[ScarletG]

Originally Posted by nnyl

Does anybody know why "playpens" went the way of the dinosaur?

I have a grand-child that visits weekly and when my kids were little that's what we used to use so we could maybe do some dishes, fold laundry, etc.

I can only find, these days, pack-n-plays, which aren't the same.

Because people realized it's easier to baby-proof a house than keep them confined in a small space.

[Mnseca]

There exist, but they're different and not called playpens. It's more like a fence that you can set up to wall off a corner of a room or perhaps make a circle inside the room. However, it's not wise to leave a child unattended, even in a confined area. You still have to watch them.

[golfgal]

There are all kinds of safety issues with the original playpens--sides collapsing and trapping babies--suffocating them.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by ScarletG

Because people realized it's easier to baby-proof a house than keep them confined in a small space.

But a pack-and-play is actually a smaller space yet. Plus a lot of people just stick a baby in a walker so the baby can't reach anything.

[Kibbiekat]

Originally Posted by malamute

But a pack-and-play is actually a smaller space yet. Plus a lot of people just stick a baby in a walker so the baby can't reach anything.

Walkers aren't really considered safe any more. Exer-saucers are more common.

[shaylahc]

My kids would never stay in play pens. Or pack and plays. They climbed right out, or screamed until I got them out.

You could always try an umbrella stroller and keep it indoors. That way you can wheel it from room to room while you work, and talk to your grandchild while you're working.