The best Baby Gyms & Playmats: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

This I hope hope hope this is it. That she is like a few snarkers including my self that thought it was just teaching them to stay on a blanket for play time. Like not letting the toys get off the the carpeted play area and then using rewards and praise. Though logically that seems to be losing battle and it would only work well if you were doing something more extreme.

I just used an enclosed play yard in a rectangular shape or a pack n play full of toys

We got this: Amazon link

If you have the Peloton mat, it fits nearly perfectly around the edges in the same rectangular shape when assembled. Very efffective, and imo it actually didn’t look terrible! Not sure it would work if you had a big floor fan if you wanted it within the enclosed space, but we use a clip on fan so it was fine. Now we also have a WaterRower for CITYROW, and we’ve used the fencing to partition off a corner of our basement, so it doesn’t look as clean now. Let me know if you want to see a pic of our current setup.

My 10 month old does this exact thing. She loves all the noise the metal vent makes when she bangs it on the wood floors. I swear she can pull the vents up and out with one swipe. We have an Evenflo Versatile Play Space and I use two sections to block off the vent area in a V shape. Someday we'll get around to just screwing all of the vents into the floor, but that hasn't happened yet.

For anyone considering a pack n play as a primary sleeping area (for early days), you can actually buy a better mattress for it than the one that comes with the playard. We use it for traveling too, so it's been really good to have! Here's an example on Amazon for about $30: Dream On Me 3" Playard Mattress, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004JU0H6O/

Have you considered a play gym? It's a mat with a piano at one end and arch that goes over the top with hanging toys. It's WONDERFUL. The piano has stages for different ages and stuff. This one is great: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0793D9WBY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AulKFbQB69CKN

How tall? My son is not yet 2 but is about 37" tall in a regular Graco pack and play. It's sturdy and he can't tip it. Maybe your toddler would do well in something like this: milliard portable toddler bumper bed https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Portable-Toddler-Bumper-Travel/dp/B079T5LCVJ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1523754002&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=toddler+travel+bed&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=tearfreetra06-20&linkId=9c64a3f22687f2f...

Fisher-Price Rainforest Music Lights Deluxe Gym Amazon Exclusive, Multicolor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LPBHY8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SZE79M03V96PB3KKDMYM There is a setting such that the tuscan plays music only when the baby hits a toy and I put some extras as she loves kicking with both legs. Also used loops so I can adjust the height of those toys as her reach gets better. Its helping with her development as well. Only thing that worked for us but again every kid is different.

Have you looked into putting him into a pack and play or one of those octagon play pens (https://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Versatile-Play-Space-Cool/dp/B072LTSWND/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=octagon+playpen&qid=1624900913&sr=8-11)

This way he's corralled and can be entertained with toys you throw in there, but not free to escape while you take some well deserved you time.

Neglecting yourself does not make for a happy baby. If he cries and screams, let him. Take that time for yourself

My baby's chiropractor recommended starting out the mat with baby on her back. Then gently roll her to her side starting with her butt. Leave her on her side for 15-30 seconds (to start with) then help her roll her chest. If she needs it, help her get her arms under her. Leave her on her tummy for as long as she will stand (I recommend doing this on something like the piano mat so she can watch the lights and listen to the songs. If not, wave some toys or flashcards in front of her face and tell her how well she's doing.

As soon as she gets frustrated roll her (starting with her butt) back onto her side, another 15-30 seconds, then onto her back. On her back, make eye contact and smile, wave, etc. Offer her a finger or pacifier. When/if she's calm, roll her to the opposite side from previous go round and repeat.

Only do this when she is not sleepy or hungry. Spitup is fine. Stop as soon as she's frustrated and soothe her until she's calm, then try again. It's fine if she only do 30 seconds the first time, just increase in whatever tiny increments she can stand.

I’d agree with all of this. I get really nervous letting my lo sleep in the bed with me, so I bought this toddler bed that I just lay on top of my mattress (bed against the wall). That way, she sleeps, I don’t worry about her falling off the bed or suffocating under blankets, and she doesn’t kick me. We both sleep so much better now!

You can do tummy time laying your baby on your tummy. And this piano thing helped a lot, my baby loved it

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym, Green, Gender Neutral (Frustration Free Packaging) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HYFZ37/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_i_LBdZFbWZ64BX1

We had this one. My kid was huge and started using it at 4 months ( he had full head control pretty much from birth). He LOVED it, and it can be used when they outgrow the seat part. We got it second hand for $40 and sold it for the same price when done. https://www.amazon.ca/Exersaucer-Triple-Amazon-Green-Brown/dp/B00AJSJE6O/ref=asc_df_B00AJSJE6O/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292956845160&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15220733679959232438&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hv...

Hello in Peru! I’m not sure what your shipping scenario is for US products, but around 3 months my baby started loving this piano kickmat

Maybe it’s one of those activity centres for babies? You put them on the floor and the baby lays there and plays with the dangly things. Like this.

>Parent must be standing or walking around or something.

Wow! I guess this is universal because it was pretty much the same with my daughter (2yo) and now my son (4mo). One thing that we use now that he's a bit older is the keyboard toy with the big keys that the baby can kick and play music on. We have this one that lights up and plays music and it usually does enough to keep the baby entertained during those times when all he wants to do is be held while you stand up.

My youngest hated not being able to move around. I found what I call the baby prison and he was so much happier. Maybe it'd help. Evenflo Versatile Play Space https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LTSWND?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Avoid suction cups. Our trailer back up camera has a suction cup monitor and while we were driving on the highway it fell off 5 times during the trip. If it falls off on flat road, anything remotely heavy suction cupped will definitely be a hazard.

What kind of a car seat do you have? We have an infant carrier and we have a velcro mirror that's supposed to wrap around the play mat but we hooked it to the car seat handle instead. this is the play mat we have and took the mirror off. I can't find the mirror specifically but you could maybe contact fisher price to ask to purchase a replacement mirror

Not pretty, but maybe buy some pool noodles (my husband was able to buy black ones online) and depending on the window sill size/shape either cut them in half or cut a slit in them and fit them over the sill and reinforce with tape.

Another option would be blocking the windows entire with a long gate something like https://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Versatile-Play-Space-Cool/dp/B072LTSWND/ref=sr_1_5?crid=33D1OO7NYAOSI&keywords=play+pen&qid=1656625283&sprefix=play+pe%2Caps%2C780&sr=8-5 this and you just open it all the way?

When ours was just crawling/standing, we found it easier to get a couple sets of this fencing to create baby safe zones as we slowly found the best ways to fully babyproof the rest of the home.

For a baby that small, looking at interesting objects IS playing! I would try to do some tummy time on the floor if baby will tolerate, and also lay baby on back on the floor to stare at things. They can't see too far at this age, so a play gym with hanging objects is great!

It doesn't have to be expensive, this one is really popular https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076HYFZ37

Or if cost is an issue, ask around on local facebook groups for parents!

Definitely the fisher price kick n play piano ! We have the lovevery one too and it doesn’t do anything for her but she LOVES this $40 one 😂

A bed with bumpers or rail if available but I also have a milliard toddler nap pad with bumpers that just lays on the floor if we all have to be in the same room.

Milliard Portable Toddler Travel Bed Nap Mat, Folding Washable Soft Foam Mat with Bumpers + Washable Fitted Sheet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079T5LCVJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KF1R2MSPBEJ0ZX2P6ZMV

They do make travel inflatable toddler beds or this. pillow box thingbut if you aren’t in the same room I would probably opt for the pack n play.

The songs are real ear worms - I have them on repeat in my head all the time but they’re actually, surprisingly good. Haha

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym, Green, Gender Neutral (Frustration Free Packaging) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HYFZ37/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_E7Z0RXZQ8KZFXNHZ0BAY

My daughter absolutely loves her play mat from Fisher Price: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym, Green, Gender Neutral (Frustration Free Packaging) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HYFZ37/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q27HZRP9JBT2S1RRT1PB

Can you put up a baby gate play yard for the time being and Just make go along the fire place? Evenflo Versatile Play Space https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LTSWND/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8G1J69KKTTYHTHEMMTD3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

>fish tank water pad things

Something like this? Inflatable Toddler Splashin'kids tummy time water mat

We used this plastic one for our standard: Evenflo Versatile Play Space https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LTSWND/

It's easy to add/remove panels. We bought 2 sets. We used waterproof mats under it - but since we started by keeping the pen small and feeding him in it, he never had an accident.

It comes with stakes if you need to use it outside

Evenflo Versatile Play Space https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LTSWND/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_JK35XBJY59WPE3WTXX9K

This one is great. It has spikes that can pop put the bottom for outdoor use. My baby is nearly 10mo, pulls up on it all the time, and we haven't had an issue. You can also open it easy.

Not the guy you're replying to, but I'm pretty sure he means the same one I was using for mine:

https://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Versatile-Play-Space-Cool/dp/B072LTSWND/

I had two, after she outgrew the playpen bit they turned into fences to protect stuff around the house.