Within the first 10 months of life, children begin to actively explore their surroundings and must be protected from entering dangerous areas of the home such as stairs or the kitchen. A playpen - also known as a "playpen" - with its surrounding gate and an integrated, soft floor offers a safe place for adventurous children as well as a relief for parents who cannot supervise their little one at all times.
The bars are designed so that babies cannot climb over them or slip between the bars - they form an obstacle without adult intervention. This means you can do your laundry or cook lunch in peace. Parents who need or want to take their child to the office can also offer their little ones a piece of a familiar home in an unfamiliar environment with a playpen.
Playpens as an aid in developing the ability to move
Babies usually start crawling between the 7th and 10th months. By the time they are 15 months old, they begin to pull themselves up on furniture. During this time, a playpen offers them a space for the natural development of their ability to move: Since the little ones are not tied to one position, the gate offers them the freedom they need to move and at the same time protects them from dangers in the home.
From when and until when should the playpen be used?
A playpen is not only helpful when the child is mobile: even infants can be positioned at the same height as mom and dad while sleeping thanks to the height-adjustable lying surface. A playpen can serve as a temporary replacement for the cot in the first few months - for example, while the actual crib is being washed out.
Playpens are typically designed for children weighing up to 15 kg. However, some manufacturers also offer models for heavier children; the maximum weight can then be found in the manufacturer's information.
The playpen is necessary during the period in which the child wants to move independently but is not yet able to assess dangers. However, as soon as the little one can walk alone at around 18 months, the gate is needed less and less as the child learns to recognize risks over time.
How long can a child stay in the playpen per day?
When it comes to the question of how much time a toddler can spend in the playpen each day, psychological factors such as boredom and an unsatisfied urge to move and explore play a role. Parents should pay attention to their little ones' signals and take children who become restless out of the playpen to keep them actively occupied for a while.
If you want to ensure that a baby feels comfortable in the playpen for longer, you should always remain in the child's field of vision during the acclimatization phase. Over time, parents can then move away from the playpen for small periods of time and return again. In this way, the child gets used to the fact that mom and dad can't always be there and feels comfortable in their surroundings in the long term.