[JorgieGirl]

I have heard this term before and wonder to what it refers. My sister says my baby is cage free since she sleeps on a bed rather than in a crib.

What else does being cage free refer to?

 

[Amylcd]

I'm not sure. I've heard the phrase "Free Range Children", but not "cage free".

 

[snoopy5386]

Frankly that phrase offends me and I don't really see the point of it. DD was "cage free" for her 1st 14 months as she coslept with me. For the past 22 months she has slept in her crib, however it is not a cage, it is her bed and she loves it. We have actually been reluctant to move her out of it since she loves it so much and sleeps so well in it.

 

[mamazee]

I've only ever heard that about chickens.

 

[Asher]

When I hear cage free and free range, I think of chickens!

I'm so no help!

 

[angie7]

I think the term is quite offensive. It's a bed that helps protect the child from harm. It is not a "cage".

 

[octobermom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by angie7 I think the term is quite offensive. It's a bed that helps protect the child from harm. It is not a "cage".

This and I've heard it to refer to kids who seeem "spoiled" and without any boundries

.. Overall though I just think of chickens

Deanna

 

[vegemamato]

I've used 'cage-free' for children who don't use playpens or cribs (not putting anyone down- we use them too

)..

I've used 'free-range' for children who are encouraged to experience, grow and learn without unnecessary limitations.

(fwiw, I'm not offended in the least

sometimes I *need* to cage my wee ones,

)

 

[ssh]

I've only seen it on egg cartons referring to chickens. A cage free chicken would have less stress hormones and be a happier healthier chicken. Eggs from cage free chickens that haven't had any antibiotics or hormones and have eaten vegetarian feed are supposed to be healthier.

 

[paquerette]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssh Eggs from cage free chickens that haven't had any antibiotics or hormones and have eaten vegetarian feed are supposed to be healthier.

Well, chickens aren't supposed to be vegetarians. And cage free and free range chickens do not always endure ideal lifestyles. But chickens who are allowed to walk around outdoors and eat bugs are healthier indeed.

I have referred to my kids as cage free and free range. It's kind of tongue in cheek silliness borrowing from the poultry thing I think.

 

[ann_of_loxley]

Ive never heard of 'cage free'. I have, however, described my son as 'free range'...lol

 

[mamarootoo]

i think it's funny! the closest i've gotten to using that kind of terminology is when i refer to DD's eating habits. she's a free-range grazer. whatever she wants, she gets, (well, except when she asks for a treat.. hehee) regardless of the time of day.

 

[LynnS6]

Cage-free = Chickens that don't live in cages.

Ds LOVED his crib. He refused to give it up until he was 5, and even then, he would have happily slept in it longer if we hadn't redecorated his room and moved him out (he was getting longer than the crib!). His crib was a place of sanctuary. He slept much better within a confined space. During the day, his crib became a boat, or a train, or a bus, or a....

Cribs are not cages, despite the frequent references to them as cages that I seen on MDC and other places and I find it offensive to refer to them as such. We had one child who didn't care for her crib and rarely used it, and one loved his crib and who kept it until he 5 by his choice. What kind of AP parent would I be if I had not allowed ds to sleep in a place where he was clearly happy? (He was not a happy co-sleeper, as the contact with other people overstimulated him. At age 3 when I was leaning over his crib to rub his back, he said to be "please don't rub my back mom."

 

[JudiAU]

I think of it as a standard of care for chickens.

I've heard of "free range" kids but never caged ones.

I think it is pretty harsh if applied to a crib. I think there are real reasons to use one and that they can be used gently. Personally, I don't like play pens and we never used one. And yes, I did think of as a baby cage although I don't think I've ever said that allowed. I don't the play pen is bad in and of itself. I've just seen them used in ways I don't like. I never wanted to look at my son crying to get out. I see a real distinction between a safe place to sleep and something to contain a child throughout a day.

 

[RoseDuperre]

I am SURE that people who say this about their kids are saying it with tongue firmly in cheek. I've never heard it this way until now, but I'm gonna start!

 

[Calidris]

Cage free is a silly designation anyway, everyone cages their kids to some extent, whether it's the car seat, or the locked front door.

I can see it used humorously among friends, but when it becomes a way of scoring points and judging other people's parenting, it gets pretty silly.

 

[SmoothieMom]

It's only a cage if you turn it upsidedown.

 

[Delicateflower]

It refers to chickens and eggs.

But oh how I love my baby cage aka crib.

 

[StoriesInTheSoil]

My mom calls cribs and playpens "baby jails" but she doesn't say it in a mean way or to offend, she just thinks it's funny. She's always telling me how she thinks we should get a baby jail and how I always hated baby jails and wouldn't stay in them and such.

 

[AGierald]

I would think cage free for a child would mean the kid didnt completely grow up in a playpen. I've seen that sometimes, where the child spends almost ALL of his or her time in a playpen. I'd think that's what would be meant by cage free?

I don't know, i've only ever heard it in reference to chickens, lol.