Last updated on April 10th, 2022 at 11:34 pm
Is your teeny little baby growing up? Maybe your baby hit that sweet spot where they’re not young enough to stay sitting for too long but not old enough to walk safely. Hence, an excellent alternative is investing in the best baby playpen instead of worrying about your baby wandering off somewhere and injuring themselves.
There are multiple benefits to getting a playpen or a play yard for your kids. When you have to wash the dishes or answer the door, you won’t have to restrict your kid to a highchair or hold them around the house. You can simply place them in the pen for them to wander around safely. However, some experts believe that playpens restrict kids, and that’s true if you overuse them. We generally don’t recommend keeping your baby there for more than 30 minutes. Not only will they eventually get bored, but it’s never a good idea to neglect your baby for too long.
However, there’s always this one favorite product in every review article, and ours is the Mloong Baby Playpen. Not only does it have incredible features such as ease of portability and foldability, but it passed our 4 months of extensive testing with flying colors. It can also be used up to the age of 2 years, which will give you flexibility with your kid. It also comes with a mat, an addition lacking in most playpens.
Our Top Picks for Best Baby Play Pen
OTTOLIVES Baby Playpen | ZEEBABA Baby Playpen | Hiccapop XL PlayPod | Baby Playard | YiiMee Baby Playpen | |
Brand | OTTOLIVES | ZEEBABA | Hiccapop | Fanbufan | YiiMee |
Best For | Large Baby Playpen | Durable Baby Playpen | Life Warranty Playpen | Comfortable Playpen | Development Playpen |
Color | Grey | Grey | Grey | Grey or Black | Grey |
Material | Alloy Steel & ABS | Oxford & Alloy Steel | Nylon & Metal | Oxford & Alloy Steel | Oxford & Alloy Steel |
Weight (lbs) | 15.97 | 19.5 | 21.6 | 6.4 | 22 |
Age Range | 3 - 36 months | 0 - 6 years | N/A | 6 - 24 months | 6 - 72 months |
Dimensions (inches) | 35.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 | 71 x 59 x 27 | 69 x 63 x 30 | 51 x 51 x 27 | 71 x 59 x 2 |
Mat/Floor Inlcuded | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Foldable | No | No | Yes | No | No |
Additions | Tote Bag & Pull Rings | Tote Bag & Pull Rings | No | Tote Bag & Pull Rings | Pull Rings & Basket |
Outside Use | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Play On 2-in-1 Playard | HyperEden Baby Playpen | Baby Trend Nursery Center | Mloong Baby Playpen | Summer Pop‘n Play | |
Brand | Century | HyperEden | Baby Trend | Mloong | Summer Infant |
Best For | Best Eco Playpen | Best Safety Playpen | Best Versatile Playpen | Best Mattress Playpen | Best Outdoor Playpen |
Color | Grey, Blue or Pink | Grey | Black, Purple or Blue | Grey | Green |
Material | Fabric & Polyester | Oxford & Alloy Steel | Mesh & Polyester | Alloy Steel & Plastic | Metal |
Weight (lbs) | 29.4 | 10.53 | 20.5 | 21.9 | 12 |
Age Range | 6 - 24 months | 6 - 36 months | 0 - 24 months | 6 - 24 months | 6 - 24 months |
Dimensions (inches) | 37 x 10.8 x 11 | 71 x 59 x 26 | 28 x 28.4 x 32 | 70.9 x 59 x 26 | 1 x 48 x 26 |
Mat/Floor Inlcuded | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Foldable | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Additions | 2 Removable Toys | Storage Bag | Mesh bag hung on side | Storage Bag & Pull-up Rings | Storage Bag |
Outside Use | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
OTTOLIVES Baby Playpen
Best for Large Baby Playpen
If you’re looking for a spacy, comfortable playpen for your kid, then the OTTOLIVES baby playpen is what you’re looking for! It provides the utmost comfort for both you and your baby, as you can even sit inside and play around with your little one. The height of the playpen is 27 inches, which is the “scientific height.” That’s because all modern playpens are tailored to kids of a maximum height of 36 inches. If your kid is taller than that, he’s more prone to climbing out.
Let’s talk about the features and additions. Four pull rings are part of the package which help your kid pull himself up. The design allows your little one to grip firmly to them without slipping, and it’ll help him learn how to stand up over time. There’s also a small mesh pouch on the side, saving you time and energy.
The frame of this playpen is made to be incredibly sturdy, as it is reinforced with an alloy steel pipe that prevents deformation. As for the inside material, it’s made of cotton to avoid any severe injuries. The corners are covered with Oxford cloth, which provides a soft material your baby can fall against in case of stumbling.
If you’re looking for a roomy playpen your little kid can grow up in, then this is the best baby playpen for that. This playpen is guaranteed to grow with your baby until 3-years, so don’t stress about buying other products!
Pros
- Incredibly easy to wash
- Fabric is breathable, so it won’t make your baby uncomfortable
- The whole playpen is light, making the packing process easier
- The zip is placed externally for safety measures
Cons
- Assembly instructions are not detailed enough
- It does not include a mat for the ground
ZEEBABA Baby Playpen
For a durable, long-term playpen, the ZEEBABA one is what you’re looking for! It’s designed to accommodate kids from 6 months – to 6 years. While your kid won’t probably utilize a playpen by the age of 6, it’s always a safe place for your little kid to play around in. Moreover, it has ample space for multiple babies. You can even sit there and play around with your kids!
The bed is almost the size of a full-sized bed, so there’s loads of room to add toys, furniture, and equipment. Moreover, you’ll get 4 pull rings meant to help your baby learn how to stand up on his own. These rings aid your child’s development, and they’ll boost his confidence.
Moreover, you won’t have to worry about any toxic material from the construction of the playpen, as it’s made of food-grade HDPE that is free from all toxins. We absolutely love this particular playpen’s transparency of the mesh all around it. Your baby will be able to be part of the outside going around, and you’ll have an eye on him.
This is the best baby playpen for parents who are looking for durable, long-term options. It will last for at least 6 years as your kid grows up, so you’ll always be able to provide him with a safe space of his own. Moreover, the company ZEEBABA has fantastic reviews for customer support, so feel free to ask any questions!
Pros
- The playpen is lightweight, making it easy to disassemble and store
- There is ample room for 3 babies or a parent to sit-in
- The playpen is almost as big as a full-sized bed
Cons
- Too many components to assemble
- The zipper can occasionally get stuck
Hiccapop XL 69” PlayPod Deluxe
Best Baby Playpen for Lifetime Warranty
If you’re worried about the warranty aspect of buying baby products, then we have some good news for you! Hiccapop provides a lifetime warranty for this Hiccapop XL PlayPod, which you can always use if you’re unsatisfied with the product. However, the playpen has been built to provide the best safety measures, convenience, and all the features you’ll need!
While setting this product up the first time can take a chunk of time, you’ll then be able to fold it away and put it in your bag to carry it around. Hence, it’s the ideal playpen for when you want to go to the park or put it out in the backyard. It also has two large doors that can be zipped open or close, which provides a more convenient way for you to grab your baby instead of leaving over the rails.
Moreover, it doesn’t have the same reinforced alloy steel frame as other playpens. Instead, it comes with a quick-fold frame and dual-action security lock. Furthermore, the material is waterproof fabric, so you won’t have to stress much about cleaning it up. The cover over the playpen is removable.
If you’re more of an “on-the-go” parent who wants to create a safe space for your kid anywhere, this one is for you! The added lifelong warranty is a bonus that will make life easier, and you won’t have to worry about your kids pushing it off the ground. It has sturdy frames and non-slip bottoms, guaranteeing your kids’ safety.
Pros
- Incredibly stable as it has non-slips at the bottom
- Foldable and easy to store as it is effortless to setup
- Has two doors that can be open to access the inside
Cons
- The locking mechanism can get stuck sometimes
Fanbufan Baby Playpen
Best Baby Playpen for Comfort
Looking for a playpen for your little one that provides the best comfort out there? The Fanbunfan Baby Playpen is designed with a thickened sponge to protect your little one from bumps around the frame and provide plenty of room for walking and crawling. The thickened sponge is also present at the bottom of the playpen, so you won’t even have to buy a playmat for your kid to feel comfortable.
When buying this playpen, you’ll get a storage bag to use when in need of storing away the playpen. Moreover, you’ll have 2 pull rings designed to help your little kid learn how to stand up on his own. Moreover, 4 suction cups are placed under the playpen to stabilize it and ensure it doesn’t move around when the baby hits the sides.
The overall design has an external zipper design to ease things for you and your baby. Moreover, as the playpen has encryption Oxford cloth material and fabric nets on the sid, it is designed to be durable and endure harsh weather. So you won’t have to worry about the material containing any toxins or it being ripped by any objects.
Hence, on those busy days of yours working around the house or doing chores, this playpen will provide enough space for your little one to roam around in peace. All the features keep it kid-safe and secure. All in all, if you have a relatively normal-sized living room.
Pros
- Very easy to assemble and requires little time
- Perfect size for a normal-sized living room
- There is no need to buy a pad or a mattress to place on the bottom
Cons
- While putting it together, it might take some muscle to pop things into place
YiiMee Baby Playpen
Best Baby Playpen for Development
If you’re on the hunt for a versatile and long-lasting playpen, then consider the YiiMee Baby Playpen. This playpen is large enough to accommodate your baby’s needs but not too large that it doesn’t fit in your living room. You can also fit into that space to play around with your little kid with no problems! This will last you for at least 5 years due to its versatility and sturdiness. It’s made of the finest materials.
YiiMee is a company that puts your baby’s development process before anything else. Hence, this particular playpen has a design that provides your child the utmost safety and security. There’s ample room for them to roam around within high-quality material walls that prevent any injuries or bumps.
You will also receive 4 pull rings with the product and a basket for your baby to practice their shots. Combined, these two additional features allow your baby to work on their motor and developmental skills. Hence, it helps increase their physical coordination and concentration. Moreover, you will find a small storage bag outside the mesh net. You cannot really store large objects in there, but you can use it to place some snacks, a bottle, or even your cell phone.
Overall, this product exceeds expectations. It has all the necessary features that ensure the safety of your kid. Moreover, it helps increase fundamental developmental aspects during your child’s growing stages. And don’t you worry; you’ll be able to use this playpen for years!
Pros
- It takes minimal time to put the playpen together
- There are two zip-up doors to access the inside
- There is a basketball hoop included for your kid to have more fun
Cons
- The fabric can be torn quite easily
Century Play On 2-in-1 Playard
Best Eco-friendly Playpen
Sometimes, we don’t want the fancy, large playpens in our home. Maybe you don’t have enough space to fit a large one, or perhaps you want to use a playpen temporarily for your little one. An incredible option is the Century Play On 2-in-1 Playard if that resonates with you. This is a great, high-quality playpen, but it also has a beautiful inside design to add some flair.
Hence, while the overall height is not as high as other baby playpens, it is perfect for the younger children out there. Moreover, it’s not only a playpen for your little one to stay confined. It also acts as an activity center to keep him entertained. It includes two adorable little toys that are attached to the inside walls. However, your child can easily remove them to play with them separately.
There is a side door that can be zipped open and close, which you can open up for your child so they can crawl out. Moreover, all the sides include mesh material to enable your little one to see through them. Another essential feature included is its foldability; you can easily fold it away for storage or carry it around with you someplace else.
If you have a smaller baby and you want a convenient, easy way of keeping them entertained while you’re busy, this playpen is for you! It’s the best baby playpen for comfort and convenience, as it’s easy to clean, effortless to set up, and incredibly sturdy.
Pros
- It will take you a maximum of 10 minutes to set up
- It includes two removable toys to keep your kid entertained
- It can be packed away and carried in the bag by folding it up
Cons
- The playpen is a little on the heavier side
HyperEden Baby Playpen
Best Baby Playpen for Safety Measures
We all want to put our children’s safety before anything else, but it’s often more challenging than we think it is. However, the HyperEden Baby Playpen is equipped with numerous security measures that keep your kid safe and sound. That includes anti-collision foam to keep them from getting hurt during bumps. Moreover, it includes resistant-duty Oxford material, which is easy to clean and increases the safety features all around the playpen.
This particular playpen is one of the few high-quality CPST-verified on our list. After extensive testing, it has been proven to meet the safety standards of the Consumer Products Safety Commission. The Oxford material is present around the corners to cover up the metal frame. Also, it includes anti-slip sucking joints that are placed at the bottom to keep it from tipping over when the baby moves around.
Moreover, two mesh gates can be zipped from the outside to let the baby in and out. There is mesh, breathable fabric that allows you and the baby to always be within each other’s each sight. Hence, you won’t have to worry about letting your children out of sight.
If you’re looking for an approved, highly safe playpen, then consider buying this one! You will have enough space to occasionally sit in there with your little one and play around. Moreover, the vast area and the design enable you to include all the necessary toys and equipment you want your baby to have access to.
Pros
- The frame is very sturdy, protecting your little ones from any accidental falls
- The playpen is big enough to put up to three tiny babies in there
- It comes with a storage bag, making it efficient for you to carry it
Cons
- Putting the whole playpen together takes time
Baby Trend Trend-E Nursery Center
Best Versatile Baby Playpen
If you’re looking to save some money, or simply find a more versatile version of the playpen, consider buying the Baby Trend-E Nursery Center. It works in two ways: one of them includes using it as a bassinet to change your baby’s diapers, and the other is more of an activity center. This is the ideal version of a playpen for those parents who want to utilize a 2-in-1 product to keep their babies safe at a younger age.
This particular design comes with butterflies plastered all around, which provides more colorful and entertaining surroundings for your little one. Moreover, you won’t need an activity center at a very young age as all your baby will do is lie around. However, you can use the playpen once your child is old enough to start moving around more freely.
What you can do once your baby is old enough is optimize the use of those large wheels. These wheels allow you to move the bassinet around more freely without worrying about carrying it. However, once you want to start using it as an activity center, all you need to do is set the brakes on those wheels, and you’re good to go! They provide an excellent locking mechanism, so you won’t have to worry about it moving around.
This playpen with a bassinet is ideal for those parents looking for one for newborn babies. You can use the initial part as they grow up to around 6 months old, and then you can remove the bassinet for it to be used as an activity center.
Pros
- Has an added features of colorful butterflies all around
- Comes with a mesh bag to hang diapers from
Cons
- The instructions are very detailed, which makes it slightly hard to read
Mloong Baby Playpen
Best Baby Playpen for the Mattress Quality
Tired of having to sift through playpens that don’t include a mattress? Well, not only does the Mloong Baby Playpen include an incredible bed, but it’s also removable and portable. You can use the mat individually as a playing area for you and your kid or even use it outside for picnics. This upgraded design has some extra features we absolutely love. These include a diaper caddy, a play mat, and improved material for the corners to prevent any injuries.
Once you purchase the product, you’ll get incredible value products for almost half of the typical amount. You’ll receive the playpen itself, a foldable mattress, four pull rings, and a storage bag. Moreover, the material is made of Oxford cloth, putting your mind at ease when it comes to allergic reactions or even your kid chewing on the edges.
Let’s talk about the beautiful mat for a second. It is made of non-toxic material resistant to most liquids, including oil and water. Hence, that makes it easy to clean with just a few wipes. Moreover, it is designed to make it slip-proof to ease your baby’s falls but thick enough to provide a hard-enough surface to walk on.
If you’re optimizing comfort and ease, this playpen is the way to go. While the assembly seems to be quite a hassle for most people, there is now a video from Mloong that runs you through a detailed description of how to assemble it. Also, the customer service is above and beyond, so you’ll always have help!
Pros
- The mat included is incredibly soft and portable
- An excellent option for babies who are just starting to crawl
- The price for the value is better than most
Cons
- Takes a long time to correctly assemble
Summer Pop ‘n Play Portable Playard
Best Baby Playpen for Outdoors
We all get tired of staying all the time indoors, right? It’s incredibly annoying during those hot summer days when all you want is a bit of refreshing air. Hence, an ideal solution is the Summer Pop’n Play Portable Play yard when you have a baby! You can use this product for your indoor activities and your outdoor endeavors. However, compared to all the other playpens, it’s the most versatile for outdoor use, and the frame can be folded with ease.
So, you might be thinking it would be a hassle to assemble and disassemble a playpen every time you have to bring it outdoors. That’s true, but you won’t have to concern yourself with that with this playpen. As the frame only weighs 12 pounds, you can fold it up and carry it with you anywhere without feeling like it’s weighing you down. The folding mechanism involves a pop and fold, making it easy for you to put it up in just a few seconds.
However, the canvas flooring provides all the comfort your baby needs and is resistant to water. Hence, you won’t have to worry about water stains or messy accidents.
If you feel like you’re an adventurous family, this is the perfect playpen for you. We’ve tested it on numerous surfaces, including beach sand, the park, and the backyard, to see how it holds up and whether it gets dirty. However, if you’re using it outdoors in the summers, we recommend you buy a shade to keep your kids protected.
Pros
- Easily foldable and carried around
- Resistant to water, so won’t cause water stains
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors
Cons
- The bottom is not removable
- You won’t be able to wash the material using a washing machine
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Baby Playpen
You can find anything from an activity center to a child’s play pen out there. However, they’re not all created the same. As you saw in our review above, things can get quite complicated depending on the features you’re looking for. Some playpens would include a mat, others have pull rings, and some don’t even have additional parts. So, how can you choose the best baby playpen for you and your kid?
Here is a list of conditions you should consider, along with some features:
Foldability
Find out whether the playpen you’re planning on purchasing can be folded up or not. Remember, foldable ones and “easily-stored” ones are not equivalent. All playpens can be stored away once you disassemble them. However, the feature we’re looking for here is a playpen being versatile enough to collapse onto itself in seconds to be put away securely. This will make your life much easier, especially if all you want to do is put the playpen away for a few hours.
Weight
The weight of the playpen does not need to be an essential factor in your decision-making. However, ask yourself these questions: do I want to use it indoors and outdoors? Will I have to move it around a lot? If you answer yes to either one of those questions, then aim to buy a playpen that is light in weight. That guarantees you won’t struggle every time you move it from one place to another.
Materials


As you might already know, there are some materials that babies are more prone to getting allergies. Always stay away from those, as your little one will absolutely despise using the playpen if they start manifesting an allergy to it. Hence, the top material used for playpens includes Oxford fabric, usually placed around and on corners to protect your kid from accidentally hitting themselves. Moreover, mesh around the playpen is always the ideal material to be able to see each other.
Zipped Doorways
While not a necessity, we love having zipped doors on our playpens. Not only will that make it easier for you to grab your child off the floor instead of leaning over, but it will allow them to crawl out instead of being carried. That will help their sense of curiosity, as you will enable them to move around more freely instead of having them get accustomed to you. Moreover, aim to find zipped doorways that open from the outside to prevent your kid from opening them up from the inside as they grow older.
Ease of Assembly
Once again, the ease of assembly is not a mandatory feature you should be looking for. However, if you plan to carry it around to the backyard, beach, or the park more often, you need one of two types of playpens. You either need one that can be folded up and carried in seconds, or you need a playpen that can be disassembled and put back together in mere minutes. Otherwise, you’ll struggle too much with it and not want to assemble it or take it with you on your adventures.
Covered Edges
We’ve all had the occasional accident with a baby where they either bump their head or hit their teeth onto something too hard. That’s always a horrible experience for both you and your baby. Hence, aim to find the best, high-quality material used to cover the corners of the playpen. Most modern playpens cover the corners with Oxford or foam, which prevents your kid from bumping their head. Moreover, since your little one will be teething at some point, this prevents them from having to put their mouths on a toxic, hard surface.
Duration of Use


The duration of use is broken down into two categories. The first one is when you plan to keep your baby in the playpen at a time. Are you considering owning your baby for more than 30 minutes? If that’s the case, then aim to get a more enormous playpen to reduce the risk of them getting bored. A bigger surface allows them to crawl around more often, making them less likely to disturb you or bore themselves.
On the other hand, you should consider how long you plan to keep the playpen around. Are you only using it for the year, or do you plan on using it until your baby is 3 years old? Again, the older your child is, the bigger your area will require. Moreover, if you have multiple kids, a more oversized playpen is always better.
Size of Playpen
Let’s talk about space for a second. Realistically speaking, not all of us have a big enough living room to spare some room for a vast playpen. Hence, you might run into some issues if you buy a playpen without measuring out the area it will occupy. If you believe you don’t have enough space around your house that you can spare, then invest in a smaller playpen.
Child’s Nature
Before buying the playpen, try to create a similar atmosphere for your baby by placing them on a carpet with a fence all around them. Then, put some toys and distractions in there. Are they enjoying their time, or did they get bored quickly? Some kids simply won’t be able to handle a confined space, while others would if they have enough distractions. If you feel like your little one needs more toys and colors, aim to get a more colorful playpen with more toys included.
Pull Rings
While not a necessity, the pull rings are one of the features we love the most about playpens. Remember that not all of them will include pulling rings. Still, we like them as they’re colorful enough to attract the baby’s attention. Once it does have the baby’s attention, your little one will be attracted to it and try to hold onto it. Since it’s likely going to be high enough for them to have to stand to reach it, your kid will slowly learn how to stand up on their own.
Testing & Researching: Finding the Best Baby Playpen
We have a detailed process once it comes down to choosing the best playpens out there. While we use online reviews and opinions from other parents, we do not limit it to that. We prefer testing our own products to determine how well they do according to our specific criteria and tests.
Hence, our process involves three steps:
- Choosing a list of baby playpens that we have heard of through reviews, forums, ourselves, and other parents
- Eliminating some of the products from the list according to specific criteria listed below
- The last step, which is also the longest, involves 4 months of extensive testing of each product
Why Trust Us
First of all, to fully trust us, you must know a little about our policy and how we work. We follow through with complete transparency and honesty with every step, as our mission is to extend a helping hand to all the parents. Just like we were confused once upon a time about which products to buy, we choose to help others by easing the process and providing an extensive review process.
Hence, you need to become more familiar with our team. The senior review editor, and the founder of New Baby Central, is Eliza Williams. She’s a loving mother of 3 children, and her struggles throughout their growing stages led her to create this platform.
Our main review editor is Mathew Fields, an avid researcher who obtained his Master’s of Research in 2016. He became good friends with Eliza a few years later. Together, they decided to embark on this journey to help other parents through theirs.
How We Pick
When choosing the best baby playpen, we struggled more than we did with other products. That’s mainly due to the diverse selection present in the market, and almost every parent we asked has tried a different brand. Hence, we started with compiling a complete list of every single playpen that we’ve heard good reviews of. Then, we go through the list of features mentioned below to find out whether it’s worth testing or not.
Outdoor Use
While not vital, we prefer any playpen that can be used indoors and outdoors. You would still want a safe area for your kid to roam around when you’re out at the park or on a picnic!
Size
You’d want different-sized ones depending on why you’re buying the baby playpen. For instance, if you want a versatile bassinet with the play yard, you want a small and compatible one.
Foldability
Any playpen immediately earns extra points simply if it can be folded. That means you can carry it around more quickly, but in minutes, it reduces the bulky product.
Material
Anything toxic-prone or allergy-causing is immediately off our list. Babies are most sensitive than we are, so we eliminate anything that might cause them harm.
How We Test
We test for several different features to determine how adaptable and kid-friendly each playpen is. Our process takes around 4 months, as several other products are to review. Moreover, for each test, we repeat it at least 10 times to provide a more detailed, honest review.
Doorway
We test whether the doorways are easy to open. While you would want it to be effortless for you, you don’t want the baby to be able to learn how to open it themselves. Hence, we prefer any doors with zips, preferably on the outside.
The Tip-over Test
We test this part ourselves by sitting inside the playpen and pushing gently against the frames surrounding the ground. We do this approximately 50 times to try whether we could tip it over by some minor force. Any product that can tip over is an immediate risk for the baby. However, for bassinet playpens, we cannot really test it in the same manner, as we cannot even fit in one. However, that’s okay, as these are designed for younger babies who won’t have the strength to tip it over.
Assembly/Disassembly Time
We assembled the whole playpen around 10 times by asking 10 different volunteers to use the manual. Then, we take the average time between them all. We stir away from any playpen that takes more than 30 minutes. However, if this playpen can be folded away for storage instead of disassembling, then it’s good to go!
Stains
For each playpen, we spill many different items on the fabric. That includes milk, juice, fruits, and water. We don’t mind the ones that stain easily, but we stir away from them if they don’t get cleaned within minutes. However, we also test the machine-friendly fabrics and note whether the strains actually get removed.
Footholes
Some designs are not efficient enough to keep babies away from getting stuck somewhere around the mat or the flooring. Hence, we take our time, thoroughly going through every inch of the flooring to determine whether a kid can get their foot stuck anywhere inside the playpen. That also includes more annoying areas such as the corner of the playpen, as sometimes manufacturers leave a small space that kids are prone to get stuck in.
Conclusion
Our extensive and detailed testing process guarantees that we provide the best reviews for baby products. Hence, we have spent a collective 4 months reviewing and testing for the best baby playpen out there, and we came to a few conclusions.
First of all, there are some specific features we love entirely. For instance, any playpen with a mat automatically earns some extra points from us. It provides a softer, more reliable surface for your baby to crawl or walk around. Moreover, some playpens come with pull rings, enhancing your kid’s journey through his initial walking stages. Not only is the construction significant as it determines whether the playpen is sturdy enough, but the material that it’s made of is of absolute vitality. The material can cause allergic reactions or rashes if they’re not 100% pure and toxin-free.
But all things wrapped up, we have an ultimate favorite, the Mloong Baby Playpen, for its features. We are a little biased toward any playpen that comes with a mat. This particular one provides numerous additions for an incredibly reasonable price. You can even take the rug off separately, and the frame is very sturdy.
FAQs: The Best Baby Playpen
Are playpens suitable for babies?
There is no direct answer to this, as it depends on how often you use the playpen and whether you abuse it or not. We recommend keeping your baby in there for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. That will help you in two ways; the first is that your baby won’t get too bored and start bothering you. The second thing is that you avoid your baby feeling neglected, shape, or form.
In the past, experts did believe that using a playpen restricts your child’s freedom. While that can be true if you overuse the playpen, you simply have to take some measures and be on the safer side. That’s because, as parents, sometimes you need to create some sort of safe environment for your little baby to relax when you have chores or activities around the house.
At what age do you put the baby in a playpen?
There is no beginning age at which you can start using a playpen for your baby. However, that being said, the only reason a parent would buy a good playpen is for when their babies are old enough to crawl around. Crawling is an important developmental milestone, so using a playpen could encourage them to roam around more often. That’s because you restrict them to a smaller, safer space in which they can move around more freely.
However, the crawling age starts around 6-7 months. Hence, you would want to get a playpen around that age, or even a month before. We would encourage you to buy one a little earlier to allow your baby to become more familiar with their surroundings while inside the playpen. You can actually hold them and sit in them if it’s big enough to allow you to do so.
How long can a baby use a playpen?
Again, there is no specific age limit recommendation for when you should stop using the playpen. For instance, many kids older than 3 years old would still use the playpen as an area where they store their toys. Other kids would still hop inside if they have younger siblings playing in, so it will always be an accessible tool for them.
However, once your kid hits that 34-inch height, they will most likely be able to start climbing over the frame. That usually is around the age of 2-3 years old. Keep your child out of the playpen when that starts happening until the kid is old enough to be aware of injuries.
Can you put a child’s playpen outdoors?
Short answer: maybe. A playpen being versatile enough to be used indoors and outdoors depends entirely on the design and the structure. Hence, before buying your own playpen, think about whether you want it to be used inside and outside.
For instance, the easily stained playpens are often not suited for the outdoor areas as they would get stained too easily. Others are not sturdy enough to handle any external forces or stimuli. Hence, evaluate whether you would want an outdoor playpen before buying one.
How do I introduce my baby to a playpen?
To enable your child to adjust to the playpen over time, you slowly have to introduce the product and condition them to enjoy it. Hence, we advise you to find the same time every day, preferably after being well-rested, to place them inside. Some kids might be wholly opposed to being restricted to that area, while others will love it.
Before placing your baby inside the playpen, make sure you have their favorite toys. Include anything they would enjoy playing around with. Then, set a timer for 5-10 minutes in that same vicinity as a start once you put them in. Afterward, we recommend you stay away from eyesight, but far enough to still be able to watch your baby. When the alarm goes off, that signals to the baby that his time in the box is over, and it’s time for you to pick them up.
Keep doing the above by adding 5-10 minutes every 3 days to slowly creep up to your maximum limit.
Can you put a newborn in a playpen?
Have you ever seen a small playpen placed in a hotel room for families? Some hotels offer that as an option for you and your baby to rest peacefully through the night. Hence, if a newborn baby can sleep in a playpen, you can definitely put them in one!
We recommend removing any toys with removable objects and keeping anyone else out of the playpen if you choose to do so. Moreover, make sure your baby has a sturdy yet comfortable mat or blanket underneath them to avoid making them feel uncomfortable.
However, overall, it is incredibly safe to keep your newborn baby lying down in a playpen on their back.
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