Baby cots and playpens are secure places to place a baby when the parents are busy with some work. However, there are several differences between baby cot and playpen. The key difference between baby cot and playpen is their purpose. A baby cot is a piece of furniture that is used for sleeping whereas a playpen is a secure playing area to keep the baby when the parents are occupied.
What is a Baby Cot?
A baby cot is a small bed with barred sides that is specially designed for babies. Babies can be put to sleep in cots from a very young age – even from the time they are born. However, many parents use bassinets or Moses baskets until the baby is a few months old and can roll on his own. Baby cots are comparatively larger and more stable than bassinets or baskets. Once the baby reaches two or three years and can climb outside the cot, he should be moved to a child-bed. Some types of cots known as cot beds have removable sides so that it can be converted to a child-bed once the child is old enough to use a bed.
As mentioned above, cots have barred sides and the distance between each bar is about 1 inch to 2.6 inches. This is a safety measure to prevent the baby’s head from slipping between the bars. Cots can either be stationary or portable. Some cots have drop gates that can be lowered to keep the baby inside.
What is a Playpen?
A playpen, also known as play yard, is a piece of furniture in which an infant or young toddler placed when his or her parents are occupied. It is usually a collapsible enclosure. The main purpose of a playpen is to prevent self-harm or accidents when a child’s parents are occupied or away. For example, a parent can keep the child in a play pen when he or she needs to take a shower, go to answer to the door, or any time when he or she can directly supervise the child. As the name playpen implies, playpens are also places where children can play with their toys.
A playpen is used when the child is about six or seven months and starting to crawl. If the child spends time in it from a young age, he or she will enjoy being there and playing while the parent is busy.
Many playpens available in the market today serve many purposes; some playpens can be used as travel cots, stair gates, room dividers, or fireguards. However, children should not be kept in playpens for long periods of time since it would negatively affect their ability to explore their surrounding and experiment.
What is the difference between Baby Cot and Playpen?
Purpose:
Baby cot: Baby cots are small beds with barred sides that are specially designed for children.
Playpen: Playpens are secure areas where the baby can play while the parents are busy or away.
However, children can also sleep in playpens and play in baby cots.
Portability:
Baby cot: Some cots are difficult to move.
Playpen: Playpens are typically portable.
Age and Abilities:
Baby cot: Baby cots can be used for new born children, but they are ideal for three or four month olds who can roll.
Playpen: Playpens are used for six or seven month year old babies who can crawl.
Height:
Baby cot: Baby cots are elevated from the ground.
Playpen: Playpens are on the ground level.
Image Courtesy:
“Krevetac22” By Cveleglg at Serbian Wikipedia – Transferred from sr.wikipedia to Commons by Micki using CommonsHelper. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
“Laufgitter” By Kingofears – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia