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Recommendations for playmats
Hi
Hope you don't mind me gatecrashing. Have just posted this in pregnancy but thought posting it in here would be good as well as you all have little ones and therefore maybe using playmats/gyms already.
I finished work on Friday (Woo Hoo) and work kindly had a collection for us and gave us some money. I would like to buy a play mat for baby with the money and was looking for some recommendations.
I quite like the look of the lotty babyplay light and sound play mat and gym from M&Ps Not sure why - possible because it looks so colourful. Our nursery is the hodge podge range from M&Ps. I have looked at the playmat in the hodge podge range but not keen on it as it looks quite boring but then a friend told me it had come top in some survey so wondering if there is something special about it that I am not aware off?
Any other recommendations? What sort of things should I be looking out for?
Thanks
Catherine
33+6
Hope you don't mind me gatecrashing. Have just posted this in pregnancy but thought posting it in here would be good as well as you all have little ones and therefore maybe using playmats/gyms already.
I finished work on Friday (Woo Hoo) and work kindly had a collection for us and gave us some money. I would like to buy a play mat for baby with the money and was looking for some recommendations.
I quite like the look of the lotty babyplay light and sound play mat and gym from M&Ps Not sure why - possible because it looks so colourful. Our nursery is the hodge podge range from M&Ps. I have looked at the playmat in the hodge podge range but not keen on it as it looks quite boring but then a friend told me it had come top in some survey so wondering if there is something special about it that I am not aware off?
Any other recommendations? What sort of things should I be looking out for?
Thanks
Catherine
33+6
0
Replies
OMG i've just bought my DD (9 weeks old) the Lotty Ladybird one from M&P na di have to say it's fantastic!!! She absolutely loves it too and laughs her head off at the toys that hang overhead (which you can also remove). It's lovely and soft & cosy too, the music's really good and i just think it's brilliant.
I'd bought the Fisher Price Rainforest one a few weeks and have to say i just didn't like it, the feel of it was a bit weird and it didn;t "do" much whereas Lotty is fab. Well recommended and it's on offer atm too xxx
I brought the fisher price rainforest playmat last week and he loves it, i just found it has so much more to entertain him he loves the music and the lights.
so my reccomendation would be for the fisherprice mat but i have to say think it would have overwhelmed him a little bit at first!
rach and ollie xxx
xxx
xxx
The first was a soft padded one with a double arch with soft toys hanging down. This was great for the first few weeks but it was difficult to wash (if they are sicky it may need washing 2-3 times a week) and took ages to dry. It also didn't entertain him enough past 5-6 weeks old.
The 2nd one was the travel playgym from Babies R Us. This was fab. Much easer to clean and he could actually reach the toys so had something to 'bat'. This meant he was happy to lie there and 'play' rather than me having to shake the toys for him.
The 3rd one is the best and i wouldn't have needed the others had i bought this one first! It's the Tiny Love one with lights and sounds. The mat is easily washable and dries overnight (easy just to sponge clean small spills!) The arches are much lower so baby can reach toys. It has the holes so you can add extra rings and change the toys as your baby develops. I love it and so does ds!!!
http://www.mothercare.com/Tiny-Love-interactive-gym-mat/dp/B001C5317G/sr=1-3/qid=1261386321/ref=sr_1_3/279-7736598-7648839?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42764041&mcb=core
Our son got the Lotty play gym as a present when he was about 4 weeks old and loved lying looking up at the toys, even though he couldn't reach them. He is now 3 months old and is happy bashing away at them. He seems to find it really comfy. He gets very excited and waves all his arms and legs about!
At 4 weeks old
I do try not to put him on it just after feeding though as it does look like it would be a nightmare to get sick off, I agree.
[Modified by: thistle on December 21, 2009 10:35 AM]
Can't believe how mind boggling it all is! May wait till baby arrives and see if there is somewhere I can try them out first!
Catherine
35+2
I've bought the tiny love sound and lights one based on 2 friend's recommendations and from seeing one of my friend's with her lo playing on it - its got a big mirror to encourage them to lift their head and you can keep it interesting by changing the toys.
I picked one up off ebay as the mat is machine washable and i plan to wash the toys by hand.
My friend does however put a blanket underneath it as she has wooden floors and that makes it much more comfy
From John Lewis http://www.johnlewis.com/230595376/Product.aspx
And you can chuck it in the washing machine.
[Modified by: treacle28 on December 30, 2009 09:49 PM]
If you ask me it was MORE than worth the extra bit of money we spent!
It has loads of toys for them, inc a mirror - and the best was a portable lullaby and lights ladybug - we put it on the car seat even now and it help to keep her entertained and happy in the car
xxx
http://www.mothercare.com/Bright-Starts-Babys-play-place/dp/B000TSMFGK?_encoding=UTF8&