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What Ever Happened to the Playpen? - How the playpen fell out of favor (Slate) : Parenting
Discuss parenting issues in the news.
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I have one of the Graco boxes and it's useful for about 10-20 minutes at a time;
Say, if I have to hit the restroom or go outside for something (yes, I set it up outside in that case!).
Can't go longer than that before the little one blows up.
I don't think I've ever heard of someone making a kid stay in one for hours on end.
That would be rather horrible...
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My understanding, as an expectant parent, is that they are for exactly this: (speaking of the 3-in-1 style pack-and-plays) 1.
Changing area. 2.
Bassinet for sleeping while not in crib.
3. Bathroom breaks/possibly shower time for mom or dad.
Keeping a child in one for a prolonged amount of time has always seemed strange to me.
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Yeah, the whole three feature thing breaks quick when the kid grows two inches.
Best off getting real stations for the various things (a changing table, a crib, a playpen).
The most I've ever used mine for is a short break from chasing him around and a travel sleeper.
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So, I have to ask then, since we already have a crib and changing table for the nursery, if it would just be smartest to get a bassinet for our living room area for changing and sleeping.
We don't really plan on doing a lot of travel with a small baby and will approach that when/if it comes.
It's a bit confusing on trying to figure out what is really necessary since marketing preys on new parents with guilt on not getting everything your baby "needs" when it seems most of what is on the shelves is unnessary.
Advice from pro parents is welcome, for sure.
We don't want to clutter our house with a ton of stuff that won't get used and are paying for everything ourselves (refusing baby shower).
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Ah, ok. Well our little one's 11 mo now, so I'll tell you what we actually use day-to-day then.
Crib.
Obviously. Changing table, with roll-resistant pad that ceases to be roll-proof around 6 mo.
Portable crib. Travel and shower breaks.
Rocking chair. Night feeding and soothing.
Your back will thank you when the kid hits 16 lbs.
Cold mist humidifier to counteract the dryness of the air conditioner.
I'd call this recommended but optional.
The humidity in your house should be 40-60%, preferring higher if possible.
Some kind of music machine in the room set to low;
This lets you make a little noise outside the room while not waking baby.
The volume must be even through the loop or the kid will wake up every hour and you'll wonder why...
Then the "tools".
Dr.
Brown's bottles. No question about it, these are the best.
They stop almost all air-swallowing.
Get the three-pack and don't worry about anything else.
A bulb aspirator.
It's a classic and it works.
Yeah, the kid will scream.
Use your elbows. He'll be okay.
Infant Motrin and/or teething tablets when the time comes.
Both together work wonders, but there's the issue of giving Motrin every day for a month that can be worrisome.
The tablets are mostly harmless, however.
Ear thermometer and Tylenol.
You'll use it at least once.
Some form of Diaper Genie.
You will want to contain the smell.
Hold your breath before opening and keep it held until you've reached the outside trash can.
Trust me. :) Onesies rule the world.
Buy one or two sizes higher, of course.
It's hard to buy a wardrobe four times in one year, so keep each stage lightweight and reuse non-stained clothes often.
The kid won't be sweating so they'll be clean for days until something escapes the diaper (not if, when).
Get one of those Safety First packages of kid junk from Toys R Us.
You won't use half of it and will swear by the other half.
No telling which half until you need it, however.
Nail clippers, if they weren't in the SF bag.
They grow like weeds.
At one point, you'll clip every over day.
Then the bag.
Five spare diapers.
Small pack of wipes (10+).
Zinc oxide paste for the very young ones that are pooing all the time.
(Don't use with cloth diapers!) Sunscreen Spare onesies or outfits (yep, plural) Travel bags to keep messed clothes and diapers in (be nice and bag and tie poopers when "in the wild" before tossing) Teething tablets (later on) Things you'll discover later when you don't have them.
:)
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Um, I absolutely cannot thank you enough.
I'm a very "list oriented" person and simply staring at the store shelves is more than worrisome and overwhelming.
You listed pretty much what I thought about and then some, so I think I'm on the right track for being 12 weeks along.
Thank you so much again.
I'm going to save this little list somewhere for myself and reference it when we get deeper into the shopping ordeal.
Thanks so much again!
For some reason I cannot upvote you which makes me sad.
Know that there is a "from the heart" upvote for you here.
=)
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My Pack and Play (baby shower gift) had the changing table set-up.
I put it in my living room as a diaper changing station and used the playpen section for toy storage.
I used it as a place for my son to nap when we were away from home.
I never used the thing as a play pen really.
I completely kid proofed my living room and baby gated it off from the rest of the house.
So the living room was my play pen.
The kid got parked in the car seat on the bathroom floor or later his crib when I needed a shower :)
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You're not a real parent until you've used the restroom with a baby in your arms
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I've had one trying to take my pants with him out the door.
Does that count? :)
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