Babies and plots

[Malk]

While I'm worried about it thought I'd ask the other mums with gardens or plots what you did with your little ones when they're first crawling and walking.

Nugget's fine in his buggy now, but that won't last. He's already trying to get into everything, holding my hand as I'm trying to type now.

Any suggestions to allow me to still take him to the plot but not allow him to get into the dangerous areas.

I'm thinking a big leash is probably not a good idea.

[Primrose]

I don't suppose your allotment members could subscribe together and buy or erect a cheap stout playpen with a heavy duty groundsheet floor for communal use somewhere where everybody could keep an eye on the occupants?

[lizzie]

Take a travel pop up playpen with you. Check out freecycle to see if there's a free one about. That way, you could leave it in the shed (sorry, don't know if you have sheds on your site) and you won't have to carry it to and from the lottie.

[Jenny Green]

One idea is a travel cot that can double as a playpen. But you'll be a lucky mum if you have a baby that'll be content in one without your attention for more than 5 minutes!

[lizzie]

When Grocks youngest ones were babies, she used to leave toys and stuff at the plot for the babies to play with.

To avoid the "i'm going to chuck everything out every 30 seconds" situation, try a wooden one with bars on. You can tie the toys on and they can haul them through.

Alternatively, when you want to go to the lottie you can just give Nugget to Daddy and run for it....

[jopsy]

we put our top part of the garden with stakes like a jail at the top!
its a circle with different height posts painted blue with lilys mini climbing frame and toys in it there are two gates for me to get to my potting shed but only this year will i feel comfy leaving her in it-shes 2 next month
it was just grassed over with plants out of reach-ours is a garden rather than a plot but it is round the corner from the house

[Mole]

4 posts and some sheep netting/chicken wire? It worked for us! Use it for pea supports later. I also used to put our youngest in my car trailer as a playpen. It doesn't matter what it looks like the end results are similar- it's still containment.

Mole

[peter]

Work out what grows there that is not good to eat as whatever you do nugget will escape at some point and will be sat there with something in his mouth.

At least if you KNOW what is around you won't be panicing over nothing.

When a bit older sloe's are a really good thing to make a kid try, just to get the "things can taste mank" into their heads.

Do you have a shed?

Sort that out as a safe area and fit a stairgate in the doorway.

Dry, clean (well cleanable), shaded.

[Malk]

Thanks all,

I like the travel cot idea and have signed onto our local freecycle, but I guess they're like gold dust. I've already got a plot-buggy that can get muddied and beat up, a plot-cot would be good as well.

I do have a shed, guess I need to baby-proof it. Set up some kind of fence around the fire, clean off the shelves. Derris powder can't be good for Nuggets.

I already do the 'dump with Daddy' on Saturday if I can, but he does the same thing with me on Sunday. But I'm only working part-time during the week, so it's then I'm really thinking about.

I could maybe grass over one of the beds and fence it off, a giant playpen. Can see they guys already looking at me like I'm a lunatic and taking my hammer off me.

Social services would have a field day if they had access to the thoughts running through my head about how to confine a Nugget.

I've got a month or two (I hope!) so I'll start researching now.

Thanks again.

[Jenny Green]

Had another thought Malk. You can also sling them on your back in an Ergo or similar type sling. It restricts your movements a little but can keep baby happy depending on what mood he's in. You can keep passing produce over your shoulder for him to nibble on (providing you don't mind chewed pea pod in your hair!)
Also, with the light evenings coming up you could nip down the plot when he's off to sleep.

[Heather]

Malk - How old is your little one? I have 2 boys aged 3 and 19 months. They keep me on my toes in the house, never mind outside! I did have a static walker which was great for doing house work etc, maybe this would be an idea. They can spin round and see everything going on, and u can add extra toys as well as the ones on them. Only problem is when they learn to climb out. Hehe. Wont be long until your little one is helping out with your plot with his own little garden tools

[Malk]

Heather, he's almost 6 months old. Not crawling or rolling yet, but not far off.

[jopsy]

a swing from the shed door?