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I have been shopping again, imagine that:rolleyes: . I wanted to ask before I bought a playpen or exersaucer, do I need one? We had a playpen with each of our boys and the only time that I ever used it was when I needed to step outside for a second, like to get the mail and the weather was too bad to take the baby with me. The playpens might have gotten used a couple of times when traveling and that is it. I am the sort of mom that babyproofs like crazy then lets the baby have free range of the house. I was wondering though if I should buy one this time and set it up in our bedroom in case she is scared to be in her nursery without us. What do you guys think? Would that be a good idea or will she just end up sleeping in the bed with me anyway? Now for the exersaucer, does anyone out there have experience with them? It looks like the type of thing that even a baby would love or hate. We have a small living room and I don't want to take up space if she is going to hate it. If I buy one do I need to go all out and get one that has A LOT of different toys on it, or do I keep it more low key for her? I know that you are not suppose to overstimulate a newly adopted child so would one of these be pushing it? Thanks for any advice as I really am clueless this time around. Stephanie
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[font=Comic Sans MS]My DH just reminded me of something. We also used the playpen as a "treat". "So you put up all your books...then you get to have 30 min in the tent." LOL, I had forgotten we did this til DH just reminded me when I was talking about playpens and reminiscing about how much our older son liked it. :DOh the things you do.... ;)[/font]
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Mary don't feel bad, my oldest ds was in a toddler bed before he was even 2 years old because he would climb out of his crib. After a trip to the ER at 15 months for falling out on top of his head we packed the crib up. Our next ;) brilliant:rolleyes: idea was to put child gates up at his door, I say 'gates' because we stacked 2 on top of each other. Guess what, he climbed over them too.I did find an exersaucer online that folds up and doesn't take up as much room as the others. May check into that better.As for playpens, all that I have looked at are ugly! I have already been through the dark blue things with my sons. I want something pretty this time. Are there any out there that do not look so dreary? Stephanie
Momof2boysinOH
Stephanie, My boys must be hellions, then. :evilgrin: They have free reign of the house and won't stand for being confined in a playpen. Calgon, take me away....:D
We got extensive use out of both. My son (29-months) still sleeps in the Pack-N-Play while on vacation. We didn't use it much at home except while we were outdoors. We lived in CA, so spent much of the summer outside. We'd let him play in it in the backyard and sometimes he'd nap in there.
The exersaucer was a LIFESAVER! When my son came home, he couldn't be set down (not even for mommy's potty break) unless it was in the exersaucer. He loved it and used it until he was about 14-months and walking well, then he rejected it totally. I even used to set him in the exersaucer just outside the bathroom while I showered. It worked like a charm for those 7-minutes. :)
Kelley
Stephanie;
As you can see from all the responses every child is different and parents all have had different experiences :)
Instead of making big $$ investments you may put the word out to friends who's kids have outgrown these items and at least in teh beginning try them out with your little one.
THere are also community yahoo groups (I'm not sure I can mention the name) for persons who give items away for free. Your community/locality may have such a board and that can be a means to get items.
We were very fortunate. When we adopted Mira friends were moving who's kids were older. We got: a pack and play, high chair, carriage, and more clothes than we'd ever use!!! And the crib we've used for both girls was literally made for Guy by his Uncle so it's a crib many family members have used.
If you find you really really are using the pack and play then maybe you go and buy a 'newer version' of it if you want to.
We've gotten limited use out of the one we have but it's certainly been used!!
Joanne
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Exersaucers are one of the #1 items I see at garage sales. In our area the "going price" for one in used but excellent condition is $20. This is an enormous savings compared to the $65-85 they run new at the babystores. I agree with Joanne, I would def. buy a used one for the very limited time your child would use it.
If our daughter is under 14 months we will probably get a used one. Beyond that, once they become really mobile it has lost all appeal. I have noticed however, that a lot of the refferal pictures I've seen as well as photos of orphanages seem to have the excersaucers, so it might ease transition- who knows?
Anyway, with springtime right around the corner we are getting ready for prime garage saleing. And trust me- you will see this item everywhere. Because of their size people tend to want to get rid of them once they aren't being used!
Sean&Shan
Exersaucers are one of the #1 items I see at garage sales. In our area the "going price" for one in used but excellent condition is $20. This is an enormous savings compared to the $65-85 they run new at the babystores. I agree with Joanne, I would def. buy a used one for the very limited time your child would use it. If our daughter is under 14 months we will probably get a used one. Beyond that, once they become really mobile it has lost all appeal. I have noticed however, that a lot of the refferal pictures I've seen as well as photos of orphanages seem to have the excersaucers, so it might ease transition- who knows? Anyway, with springtime right around the corner we are getting ready for prime garage saleing. And trust me- you will see this item everywhere. Because of their size people tend to want to get rid of them once they aren't being used!
Oh! I also wanted to point out that in our area there are community sales from different groups such as "Mom's of Multiples" that have Baby Item tag sales.
This is a great thing if you are looking for gently used items- they also have great Halloween costumes, party dresses, etc. A lot of this stuff looks brand new because it is worn so infrequently and it costs a fraction of what they do new. I have even bought some of the costumes to be used for "dress-up". I have also bought a number of plastic toys. I just wash them off with bleach and water or even through some in the dishwasher- presto!
Our ds is 19 months old, and we still use the Pack 'N Play all the time. I take it to work with me, and Aidan will play in it (for short periods of time) and nap in it. It has been invaluable for trips to see grandparents or friends. We use it for day trips (for naps), and check it as a piece of luggage when we fly to see family, so Aidan has his own bed at night wherever we go. We love it! We didn't get Aidan an Excersaucer until he was about 8 or 9 months old. I bought one at a children's resale shop for about $25. It was in perfect condition. I am glad that I paid so little for it, though, because as soon as he could walk (about a month after we got it) he wanted nothing to do with it. Most babies who are learning to walk want to MOVE, not stay seated! Actually, now that I think about it, a friend of mine with a younger baby just got an Exersaucer that will convert from a stationary toy to a walker. Something like that might be a good idea for an older baby, since it will "grow" with them. Just a thought! Morgan
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Be cafeful about the walkers. They are frequently one of the most recalled items and are frequently on the news as so many childrens have tumbled down stairs in them. Of-course I am assuming that anyone here would have safety precautions at the top and bottom of any steps (as they are required for your final inspections), but I am shocked at the accident rates that accompany walkers.
Just to clarify, it doesn't turn into one of the old-fashioned walkers that babies are put into, where non-walking babies can move themselves around (and get into trouble, i.e. rolling down a flight of stairs). It turned into a walk-behind walker, like a push toy. Not really a "walker" in the traditional sense of the word.Morgan
Ok so I am the exception. We had the play and pack and the exosaucer and after three kids I could sell them both as practically never used. My kids hated hated them both. The boys wanted to be with us or were on the move (they both walked by 10 months) so we just baby proofed like crazy. And our daughter who was 14 months when she came home looked up at me like I have spent my life in these things are you kidding, I want you AHHHHHHHHH from the first try. Seriously I would either buy them really really cheep or borrow one before you buy it.
These kids have personalities from the start.
By the way my daughter does LOVE her crib (with some musical things on it). So if I had to run to the mailbox or shower I would let her have some private time in her crib.
Diana
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Hi,
Our daughter was just shy of 14 months when she came home. We had a pack-n-play, exersaucer and door jumper (johny-jump-up) thing. She loved all these things and they were lifesavers in those first few months home. Like others who have shared, not paying retail for these items are great. Ours were all given by friends whose children had outgrown them.
Take care,
Thanks everyone for your replies. I will probably buy both just to have in case she likes them, hey it's only money :rolleyes: As far as borrowing these items I would love to but the baby of the family is now 6 years old and none of our friends have babies either. Has anyone seen the fold up kind of exersaucer? I have not seen any in the stores, only on-line. I liked the idea of it being able to fold up and be put under her crib or in a closet when not in use. I am still looking for a "cute" playpen. I have looked in every store around and online. They are all dark blue and tan. I have waited my whole life for a baby girl and I want pretty!:p Stephanie