Baby playnest

Who's got young kids or grand kids?

I'm after some ideas. My youngest son will be 5 months old by Christmas, and I figured I'd buy him one of those playnest thingies. Something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Galt-Play...ears-New-/321122863254?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

But here's the thing. All the ones I've seen are inflatable, and many people who review them say that as a consequence of that, they are too light and prone to tipping over once the baby gets strong enough to start moving about much.

The little lad spends most of his waking hours visibly bored and frustrated because he can see his big brother playing with all sorts while he can't do very much at all because he can't even sit up unsupported yet. That's why I thought a playnest might be a good thing, enabling him to sit up independently and play on the same level as his brother.

I've yet to find one that is not inflatable, ie heavy enough to not tip him out and crack his head on the laminate floor.

Anyone know of any suitable products? Anyone with any experience of these things? Any alternative suggestions for a good christmas pressie for the new lad?

 

You're right those play nests do tend to tip Clueless. My daughter only used hers (my grand-daughters) a couple of times and changed it to something else which was much better. I've just e-mailed her about it and I'll let you know when she responds.

 

Thanks Sheal

 

Waste of money!!

Seriously?

You are humanising baby Clue's thoughts and morphing them into something way beyond his understanding! (That's where the Marketeers get your attention )

At his age, his "frustrations" will be coming from his natural urge to manoeuvre and his desire to "problem solve" (Hmm, wonder where he gets *that* over riding desire from )

At "almost" 5 months old, he will have no concept of "Christmas" (thank goodness: way to capitalistic) and won't even notice the time of day bar hunger/nappy change/nap time! Save your pennies!!!!!!!

If he needs "stimulating", it will be with regard to his eyesight, hearing, sense of touch (very important!) and hearing! It really does bear little resemblance (at this stage) to what his older brother is doing/thinking/sensing/experiencing.

Think BACK: what did you do with James when he was that age? What worked? What didn't (and I'm guessing plush toys!). Ask your mother (mother in law?) or even (and better?) their parents what worked?

While I'm not anti-capitalism, I am most definitely anti-gadget! Your link is "gadget"

If Mrs C is not out at work, the solution may be as simple as mere devotion (and yes, that is draining beyond one brain cell - but that is the requirements of a newborn). Sounds, sights, scents, touch (lots of touch) will bring together many facets of "senses".

But hey, I admit to being a more "traditionalist" parent as opposed to a "capitalist" parent (Time enough for that when they start school and you begin to "parent" a whole peer group! ) At least *this* year, you have a choice in things; enjoy it

 

James was different. He was much more laid back and easy to keep happy. We put that down to him not having an older brother always doing something 'interesting'. We see young Isaac watching James all the time, and actually trying to get up out of his seat. Then he gets upset because he can't do it

 

Of course Issac will "watch" James - how could he not if he is in his peripheral vision?
What "interesting" something was James doing that you may not be doing with Isaac?

The point I'm making (as a mother of five) is: when we have our first child, there are no distractions; nothing to "compare" to. We just "do it"!

When the second comes along, we begin to compare: but, the real question is - are we being objective?

So, what "interesting" things did you give James to do at the same stage that you may not be giving Isaac?

Isaac watching James is the most natural thing in the whole world: getting out of his seat (at his age) is equally natural

What is "human" is linking the two and making assumptions. In your case, you are assuming that he needs some kind of specialised equipment to fulfil his needs/requirements. I'm merely highlighting that, pre-capitalism at its current level, we (as parents) didn't stretch that far?

Seriously? At "almost" 5 months old, just how much external stimulation do you think Isaac actually *needs*?

Or, maybe, the question should be reversed (and equally valid!): how much "separation" time, does Mrs C need, for Isaac to have individualised/unstructured play time?

It is HARD WORK caring for a child under 5yrs old. (I know it: I speak as someone who had 3 under 3yrs old at one time)

It is doubly hard work caring for two children under 5yrs old - unless (and until) you draw upon your experience of how much/little a 5mth old *actually* requires to keep its sensors stimulated

My personal belief is: you do not need to splash out on this gimmick.

A 5mth old can be stimulated in many (make shift) ways to stimulate sight/sound/taste/feel/vocal entertainment.
A 5mth old has no concept of Christmas.
If it is your personal preference to do either/both: I do not judge

 

"M" with respect and I can see where you're coming from but the younger generation rear there children very differently to the way we did. I have been told off so many times by my daughter....'Mum we don't do it like that anymore'! Yes, our children rely on us grandparents for the basics of baby rearing but beyond that it's a different world. I like you have reared three under five's and it's not easy, but children are being reared in a world of technology now unlike us and our children. Those same children are growing up to think differently, I realise that from the progress of my seven year old grandson.

 

A simple, cheap and safe solution to the 'nest' problem might be some large floor cushions.
Don't let yourself be seduced by technology. Most techy toys are limited insofar as how much they allow imagination to come into play. Building blocks and some cardboard boxes can encourage imagination far more than a plastic thingy that beeps and flashes.
Our 4 year old grand daughter's most used "toys" are - felt pens, paints, the kitchen sink full of water, play dough (especially if she's helped make it), scissors, a pile of cushions and blankets to make a den, a bed to bounce on and sofa to slide off, veg to peel to help granny, the washing basket as a nest, mini basket ball hoop on a radiator. We've also got some high-tech stuff but it really isn't half as much fun, involving or imaginative.

 

One thing I've thought of is a baby bouncer. They've stood the test of time and both my grandchildren loved being in one. Being upright they could see everything that goes on around them, they can spin round too with there feet just touching the floor. As long as your son can support his head it would be fine and the body 'harness' is made high enough to support his back etc.

 

If by baby bouncer you mean the swing/bouncer thing that suspends from the top of the door frame, he's got one of those He likes it for about 5 minutes at a time

Here's an interesting thing. My dad told my missus that he bought one for me when I was tiny, and the very first time I went in it I tipped upside down, felt out and landed on my head (possibly the first of many bangs on the head which probably explains a lot). I replied how things have moved on since those days, and now there's no possibility of falling out because the harness is practically a parachute harness, with several different fastenings, each one individually holding the baby secure. My dad laughed and agreed, saying that my one was just a wooden seat with a waste height bar around it and no harness or padding of any kind. Its funny how our attitude to safety has evolved over the span of a single generation

 

Yes, they are so much more secure now Clueless.

My daughter's got back to me, here's a link for you. This one was similar to the one my daughter had and there are others. Price may be a little high but they can be picked up in good condition second hand.
http://www.very.co.uk/early-learnin...s-_-Toys+and+Games+PLA-_-GUco1Sox_27741572588

 

I'm half tempted to have a go at making something myself. As has been said, Isaac wont care yet about what something is or how expensive it is, he'll just be happy if he's not bored. I'm quite handy I think. I might have a go. There's some old curtains in a bag in the spare room, and I remember my nanna used to stuff things with old worn out clothes, which I'm sure I probably have some of. Worst case, if it turns out a disaster, I can just bin it and still have time to buy something.

 

My 5 year old nephew and 4 year old niece can use an Ipad better than I can..

If I ever have kids, I doubt I'd introduce them to technology or gadgets as the person said earlier in the thread.

Don't see anything wrong with what Clueless is going to buy, though! Looking after a kid for even an hour in my experience can be quite tough when they're crawling all over the room picking everything that they shouldn't up!

 

Point taken
(I was on my soap box a bit wasn't I apologies @clueless1 )

For those who like these things, anyone else seen this one?

Ipad baby seat

 

You have nothing to apologise for. At least nothing that I'm aware of

I resisted letting the bigger lad have a computer because my logic was that at his age, he should be too busy playing with toy trains, toy cars, or just generally running about, but then I found out they do IT at school from 3 year old now, so he has his own laptop now.