Gates vs. Play Pens

[mami1323]

My ds hates...I mean seriously hates with a passion the pack n' play.  He cries everytime I put him down in there.  He will sleep in it when we travel but he will not play in it.  So I was on babies r' us and they have an actual play pen that is square rather than rectangular that he may be more interested in or they have a gate that you can form into a circle and put your child into that.  I'm thinking he may not feel as restricted with the gate.  Does anyone have any opinions about either?  What do you recommend to get him more used to the pack n' play if we choose to buy that?

[babyscience]

I have heard of something called a play yard and it is sort of like and octogon of fences.  I was thinking of getting one.  He just moves around everywhere...but I think I just need to severely baby proof my house!

[lovethebops]

I have the same problem with my 7 month old. She does not like the pack and play either, I can only keep her in it for a short period of time. Gates are a pain, because my 3 year old knocks them down when she wants to get thru. I guess I am sort of where you are at. I would like to find a better alternative. So far my little one is just crawling and is not yet on all fours, so she doesn't go too far, but it is only a matter of time. Does it help if you fill the the pack and play with lots of interesting toys or books? that helps dd a little.

[AndiJ78]

Is it possible to just let him roam and keep an eye on him? My kids rarely, if ever, were restricted to a play-yard or play pen. They were allowed to roam and we just kept some doors closed or baby-gates up to prevent their access to certain areas.

[deanne11]

Personally I think he'll feel restricted either way....I used both for both of my kids and they were unhappy with everything...just wanted to go go go...and follow Momma.

Jayden is all boy and I just think he wants to move move move......It's going to be hard to contain him now moving forward...trust me....dealing with the 'on the go boy myself'

Jake will play in his pack and play for a few minutes...about 20 tops and that is 20 minutes more than Abby would...LOL

I do like those gate options but don't work for me because of Abby....

Typically I just let Jake have run of the house in his walker...he follows me everywhere anyway...doesn't get into to much trouble yet.

If I want him safe and immobilized...play pen and exersaucer....or lock down in the walker....  

It's so hard ...we did so much child proofing though...I don't worry about to much.

The only concerns I have are what big sis is doing to him when I'm not looking.

[Logan206]

My kids don't really like to be restricted in the anything either.  I have pack n plays and the play yard gate thing.

I've had some luck with the pack n play when I use it outside though.  I think they feel less restricted in the open space.  I've used it in the backyard and at the beach.  I give them toys and books but they mostly just like to watch the activity around them.

Good Luck!  

[mami1323]

Well he's being a very late bloomer as far as the crawling is concerned.  He gets on all fours but just rocks and then gives up and falls to his belly.  But soon enough I'm sure he will be off and I'll be chasing him.  I can watch him and follow him around but when my mom is home with him all day she needs to do some work from home.  She's watching Jayden because she got laid off but she's an attorney and has some clients that she works for.  So she needs to be able to do some work and needs a place to plop him without having to watch him.  For now he's still able to fit into the swing, jumparoo and exersaucer but he's a big boy and is quickly growing.  The swing will only hold him for another 5 lbs. or so.  Plus, we haven't even begun to start baby proofing yet.  It's just gone so fast that he's growing faster then we can get things done.  We still have to lower his crib.  He can't push himself up yet to sitting but I'm sure it will happen from one day to the next.  I've done the toys and all in the play pen but he's not interested.  We also have dogs so it's hard to just let him roam.  I trust them but my pit is a doofus and probably will trample him.  He still thinks he's a small puppy.  

[GNicole]

I know I am probably nuts but never had a playpen or gates. I would try the gated area. For the next child I will probably do that. Good luck and let me know what you decide.

[mami1323]

You're not nuts....I would not use anything but our house is a wreck.  Too small and we have too much stuff.  Baby proofing is possible but we've got clothes and shoes every where, containers with things in them for organization but they are low to the ground and Jayden can and probably will get into them.  We live in NY and we have a storage unit that is too small and we pay a fortune for it.  Our house is filled with clutter because we have no space to put everything away.  It's rough.  So if it weren't for all of these issues we would let him roam all around.  

[Tanker Chic]

I always wondered what happened to the original playpens. You never see them anymore.. and to me the pack n play doesn't seem like a good sub either.  The playpens were square with light mesh so they weren't so closed in.  I've never seen the one at babies r us.  I'll have to check that out.  

[mami1323]

It's just like the original playpens.  Here is the link:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2918304

I completely agree with you about the pack n' plays.  They are definitely not the same.