D.E. asks from Los Angeles, CA on April 18, 2008
How to Successfully Use a Pack-n-Play for PLAY
My 4 1/2 month old is beginning to roll (from her tummy to back and vice versa) and play with her toys. I also have her practice sitting, so that she could eventually sit on her own. I know that she is on her way to becoming more mobile. I want to be able to know that she is safe, if I ever have to leave her for a few moments to wash the dishes, prep dinner, or take a potty break. For this reason, I would love to be able to put her in the pack-n-play to play with her toys. I've heard that some babies don't like it and begin to cry the moment they are put into one. I'd like to know what I can do to make it a positive and fun experience for my baby. Has anyone been successful with using a pack-n-play for "play"? If so, what worked? When should I start introducing her to it and how? If you did not have success with it, why not? If you know of any titles of books or resources I could consult about my request, that would be great too.
More Answers
N.J. answers from Los Angeles on April 19, 2008
Its too small. I use two Superyard LX put together to form a safe play area. It's an investment at $60 each, but several people have bought them after seeing them at my house. As my children got older, I even used it as a three-sided perimeter around my family room, blocking the fireplace and TV from access, leaving a safe play area; to surround my Christmas tree; etc. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1762412
I highly recommend getting two, one is kind of small, but two is huge.
Have fun!
N.
C.S. answers from Las Vegas on April 18, 2008
K.C. answers from Los Angeles on April 19, 2008
I only used a pack and play for "play" with my first. It backfired bad!!! When ever we went to grandmas house for the weekend we would put him in the pack and play for sleeping and he would play! Plus he crawled and rolled MUCH later then any of my others because he was confined to a much smaller space. My suggestion is if he is 4 1/2 months old what about an exasaucer or walker? He can crawl around in the kitchen while you are doing dishes, follow you aroud while your vaccuming. Plus there is things for him to play with there. If he isn't crawling yet either just put a blanket down with the toys on it. I know this isn't what you were asking for, but it might work.
J.B. answers from Los Angeles on April 21, 2008
well youll never know unless you try it. what i would do is set it up and put her in it for like 10mins at a time while you are still in the room so she can see you. put a few of her favorite toys in with her. then if she is content and quiet leave the room for 5mins and see what happens. good luck! hope this is helpful!
M.B. answers from Los Angeles on April 19, 2008
The only way to know if YOUR child will like the pack-n-play is to put her in it with a couple of her favorite things. My daughter would sometimes cry but usually could entertain herself for quite a while. I always put the PnP where we could see each other. When she got older, we filled the PnP with plastic balls, you know the ones you see in ball pits at Indoor play places. You can buy them from Toys R Us, or i'm sure other toy places. She loved it!! She developed quite a throwing arm.
M
J.W. answers from Las Vegas on April 19, 2008
They are a perfect size for her to play in. Place some toys in the PnP , Also there are mirrors and pull toys you can buy that clip on the sides of it that will encourage her to tug at them etc.. Obviously don't leave her unattended with toys in a PnP or a crib at that age but they are great until babies learn to crawl !
J.
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J.V. answers from Las Vegas on April 20, 2008
I started to use the PnP with my son a little bit each day so that way he knew that he wasn't in trouble. Then when he got a little bit older I would put some toys in it, put him in it and did some stuff real quick and when I got back I bring him out. So just start off a little at a time and tell her what you are doing. Even turn on some music. That always seemed to work for my son.
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