Our doula said that giving our baby the run of the house is preferable to using a playyard. But now that reality has set on, wow, a contained area sounds like heaven. What do you all think of playyards, especially large ones like the Superyard? Are you for or against?
Playyards rock! I bought a used Superyard plus extra gates through Craig's List, so it creates about a 6'x6' play area. Like some of you mentioned, my baby does more "focused work" when he's in his pen. He sits quietly and focuses on manipulating stuff with his hands. We don't put him in there very often or for very long... but it's wonderful when we do. Finally, my husband and I are eating meals again without a baby in our laps!
babies need boundaries and you need sanity i would not live without ours
Play-yards... have a purpose and its safe. And, it can provide a good amount of space for the baby. We had one, the "Superyard" that took up our entire living room floor space. (we had 2 sets that we sometimes linked together- so 12 panels)
I used it for safety, when I had to cook, or was on the phone, or had to go get the mail, or use the bathroom, etc.
AND I also used it outside too. Which is great.
YES, when a baby gets more mobile, it can help.
If you give the baby/child the run of the house, then you MUST HAVE EVERYTHING BABY-PROOFED. Regardless.
The main thing being, you don't just leave the baby in there all day. Which I highly doubt, anyone does.
Do what YOU need to, do what YOU think is best, do what YOU need to do for your baby, AND ONLY YOU should know your baby best and your home-life and habits. You do NOT have to go according to your Doula. And besides, your baby is already 6.5 months old... is a Doula really necessary at this point?
I "thought" a Doula provides help during labor and pregnancy and maternity care? I mean, YOU are the "Mom." Not the Doula.
ALL babies are "frisky" and active. So, you make the home safe, you can have a play-yard or play pen, you can then take it out or put it away at will, when you need it or not.
NO biggie.
A child is not going to grow up in a play-yard. Its mostly used at certain times, if and when needed.
Regardless also, a baby & child WILL get the run of a house, and get used to everything in time. It's only natural and a part of normal development.
All the best,
Susan
the run of the house? ooh no no no babies need areas to be in that are safe. my daughter at 6 1/2 months only had access to the living room. there was a gate preventing her from the hall and a baracade to keep her from getting out of the living room. shes 2 now and has a little more freedom in the house because i have toddler proofed what is reachable. you dont want your baby getting into things that are harmful or climbing on things that can hurt him. a play yard is fine but i think they are better for out side things. inside they are bulky but if you have an extra large living room that you might like it. though you cant fit many large toys in it. hope this helps.
Depends on how big your place is I suppose. We used an extra long baby gate to keep them in the living room/hallway area. Then we would, and still do sometimes, baby gate the kitchen off and they have run of everything else (with bathroom door closed) but we have a fairly small place. I don't think there is a right or wrong way here. It depends what you feel comfortable with and how baby proofed you are. If your baby is only allowed access to one room at a time I don't think they will have any sort of long lasting effects...lol.
i used a playyard with my son and it was a life saver. he was getting into everything which is never safe! I used it until he figured out how to get out of it - my son is a real smart little guy. I cannot see how letting your kids have run of the house can ever be safe until you spend every second watching them. Do what is best for you!! I know that doula's are all about being totally natural however being truly natural is what is best for YOU and YOUR baby. I put lots of toys in the playyard, a blanket and some books. My son really did like it as he didn't have to hear no and don't touch that constantly!
I have a large playpen, and my daughter spends some time in there, but not all the time. It is great if I need to get some stuff done, or just eat breakfast or something. I think the key is to not leave your baby in there all the time.
I notice that while my daughter is in the playpen, she spends more time doing detailed, focused things - such as putting toys in and taking them out of her toy elephant (which is hollow inside), and flipping through books, and babbling. When she's on the floor, she's usually just crawling all over. It's more physical. (And I have to watch her like a hawk in our tiny house.)
So I say . . .playyard = good idea.
Hope this is helpful!
