How to choose a playpen for a child

The kid is growing every day. First, he begins to roll over, then crawl, then sit. In no case should you leave him unattended. It is at this age that the playpen will become an excellent assistant for mom and will help to protect the child. How to make the right choice of this useful device?

Varieties of playpens for the child

Today there are a huge number of varieties of playpens, depending on their purpose. It:

• gaming;
• beds;
• screens;
• inflatable.

Let's consider each of them separately.

Pros and Cons of Playpens

Playpens are provided for a short stay of the child. Today, manufacturers produce models of various shapes: round, square, oval, polygonal and even angular. As for the materials from which they are made, it can be wood, mesh or plastic. Mesh designs have remained popular for many years. The advantages of such a device include:

1. Compactness, because it can be easily folded, placed in a car or just hidden.
2. Safety, because its walls are soft and the child will not get bumps.
3. Mobility.

But such a device has its drawbacks.

1. The grid will strain the vision of the baby with a constant look at it. That is why you should not leave your child playing for more than 30 minutes in a row.
2. Difficulty in leaving. Unlike the bottom, sheathed in most cases with oilcloth, the mesh can not always be easily washed and cleaned. It will also be difficult to clean soft parts.
3. Danger of injury. Putting a finger into the net, a child can injure him. Therefore, it is worth choosing a mesh with such a diameter of the window so that the baby could not put his finger there.

Features of playpens

Cots are usually chosen if the apartment has too little space for both a bed and playpen. In addition, such a purchase allows you to save. The service life of the playpen is up to four years, some models for very small ones can be equipped with a changing table. Their main features include:

• compactness;
• ease;
• security;
• ease of care;
• additional accessories.

At the same time, some models, such as “books”, may have an uneven bottom, which negatively affects the child’s sleep, and in the future, his posture. Also, the bottom may be too low, which is inconvenient. In some modern models, the bottom height can be adjusted.

Advantages and disadvantages of screens

Such designs are universal fences that can be placed anywhere depending on the desires of the mother and baby. They help create a closed play space or simply protect the child from a dangerous place (stairs, fireplace, etc.). When playing, the child will not feel lonely, because it will be good to see parents through the panels. Often mattresses are included with them. The advantages of such models include:

• multifunctionality;
• compactness;
• sustainability;
• simplicity in leaving.

Of the shortcomings, one can single out a large weight (about 20 kg) and injury risk, because the baby can hit hard on the fence. To avoid this, you should buy protective skirts. In addition, this partition is suitable only for kids. Older children such an adaptation is unlikely to become an obstacle.

Characteristics of inflatable playpens

Inflatable playpens are in demand in the warm season and are intended for children under the age of one year. This model can be easily taken outside, and some have a bathing place. Their main features include:

1. Ease of care.
2. Security.
3. Compactness.
4. Low cost.

The main disadvantage is that such arenas have a short life, because they are easily pierced.

Which playpen is better to choose

When choosing a playpen, you should pay attention to many factors:

1. The material from which it is made. Someone prefers plastic, someone a tree. It all depends on personal preferences. But remember that oilcloth, for example, is unsafe for health especially if the child tries to gnaw the material. Pediatricians recommend choosing models from wood coated with varnish since natural wood is a hypoallergenic, safe material.
2. The color of the walls. Do not choose too bright colors, it is better to give preference to pastel colors, because it is it that contributes to relaxation and emotional relaxation.
3. It is important that the floor is solid, especially at a time when the child is just learning to stand on her feet and take the first steps.

What should be a safe playpen

When buying an arena, you must definitely think about its safety, because it is there that the baby will spend most of his time. So, a safe playpen is:

1. A stable frame that can not roll over or fall.
2. The height of the sides, corresponding to the age and height of the child. The optimal height is 80 cm.
3. Lack of sharp details.
4. Catches on wheels.
5. The distance between the slats is 5-6 cm or a small, sagging mesh.
6. Hypoallergenic materials safe for children's health.
7. Serviceable folding mechanisms, the presence of latches.

After buying, the bed should be washed thoroughly to get rid of odors.

As you can see, knowing the main types of arenas and their advantages, making the right choice is quite simple. The main thing is that the child in the purchased device feels comfortable and relaxed.