7 Reasons Never to Leave a Child Unattended in a Playpen

A playpen can be a blessing for a harried parent or nanny, offering the chance to run to the bathroom or switch over the laundry when there’s no other adult to keep an eye on the baby. The practice of leaving a child confined to their playpen used to be so common that most parents never gave it a second thought. Today, however, we know several factors can make doing so dangerous. Here are seven situations in which you should never leave a baby in their playpen unattended.

1. The Padding is Thick and There Are Plush Toys Inside – When infants are placed in a playpen, the structure should be treated as a portable crib; plush toys, fluffy blankets and soft, thick padding all pose suffocation risks and should not be used in playpens. Because infants cannot move their heads as easily as toddlers, these well-intended comfort items can easily obstruct their breathing.
2. She’s Tall Enough to Climb Out – The moment your child is old enough to stand up and make her way over the railing of the playpen, it should be retired or parents and nannies should commit to a policy of absolutely never leaving her unattended. Parents and nannies should always assume that a child who can escape, will; otherwise, they can
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   be lulled into a false sense of security.

3. An Adult is Out of Earshot – Popping around the corner into the next room for a few seconds isn’t likely to lead to tragedy; problems arise when parents and nannies assume that a baby is safe enough in her playpen for them to take a quick shower or complete chores on the other side of the house. If you can’t glance at your baby in a matter of seconds, you’re too far away from her.
4. The Structure is Beginning to Show Signs of Wear – Damaged playpens should be immediately replaced; those that are just beginning to show the first signs of wear are not safe for children to be left in unattended, even briefly. Hinges or other hardware that is exposed due to age or disrepair can easily cut or otherwise injure an infant or toddler; worn coverings can be torn or damaged quickly by an unsupervised child.
5. The Playpen is Filled With Toys – Soft toys pose a suffocation hazard, broken ones can become a choking risk and larger items can be used as stepping stones by resourceful, escape-minded toddlers. Avoid the temptation to fill your baby’s playpen with toys to keep them entertained while you’re indisposed.
6. You’re Sleeping or Otherwise Distracted – Falling asleep while your baby is in her playpen, even if you’re in the same room, is flirting with disaster. Exhausted parents and nannies may not hear cries of distress or choking noises, effectively leaving a child unattended for extended periods.
7. The Playpen is Not a Babysitter – Even parents and nannies with the best intentions will be forced to leave the room while their child is in her playpen; there are times when doing so is simply the safest choice. However, it’s important parents and nannies to understand that babies need to interact with the people and things around them; exploration is their primary source of learning and skill-building. Babies that are left to entertain themselves with a limited selection of toys for hours on end are deprived of the stimulation that is essential to their development.

Even if you’re in the room with your baby at all times, never tie toys to the railings or sides of her playpen; the cords can easily pose a strangulation hazard. Additionally, make sure that models with mesh sides feature holes that are less than ¼ inch to

prevent the risk of tiny fingers getting stuck. Before using secondhand playpens, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to be sure that they haven’t been recalled.

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