a 2 year old and a 2 month old

mediadiva

hey guys, what do you do durring the day to keep your toddler entertained so you can breast-feed, get baby to sleep etc. If I try to put my baby to sleep in the same room my toddler is just too loud. If i have the baby in a swing or seat in the same room as her she gets mad the baby is in "her" thing, even if it's not hers despite my efforts to explain this to her, or having to disipline her (time out, take her out etc) when she tries to crawl in them.The only thing that gives me any peace is setting the toddler up in the living room in front of the tv with a snack and milk, and going into the babies room and closing the door. If I leave the door open she comes in and makes a mess, over-reacts (I think still dealing with jealousy even though she doesn't seem jealous, its more like she sort of gets all hyper and doesn't listen to anything i say). So mostly I try to keep them separated, and once baby is asleep I can go spend some time with her properly. I CAN NOT breastfeed in the same room, she tries to clim on me.

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When I need to get Clara down, I give Ellie a snack (something non-chokeable). She will do the same thing, come in the room and ask, "What you doin', Mommy?"

If I just need to nurse, then I'll nurse with Ellie around. There have been plenty of times when I am nursing and reading a book at the same time. I also try to distract Ellie. Say, "Can you go get me a banana?" and she'll go to her play kitchen and get it. Come back, and I'll ask her for something else. Sometimes when she does this she gets distracted and will stay over there for a while, allowing me a minute to nurse.

It's hard, I know! Hope that helps.

howleyshell

Here's some stuff that worked for us:

1.  While nursing the baby at baby's nap time I had a basket of quiet toys in the baby's nursery for the toddler.  I explained to him that we were going to have quiet time, kept the lights dim, and closed him into the room with us.

After a couple of days he finally got the picture and was eventually on that schedule and played quietly as I nursed the baby down.

Oddly enough shoes were a HUGE hit with him during that time.  Try pulling out some of your shoes or any larger size shoes she can get on by herself.

2.  While nursing in the living room we would do all kinds of fun things together.  Nursing became book time or magna doodle time or song singing time.  I'd latch the baby and then give my best attention to the toddler doing still activities.  When all else failed we'd sing "London Bridge".  I'd have my feet up on the coffee table, grab him in between with my legs, and rock him back and forth (he's standing) during "lock him up".  He LOVED it, would ask for it, and it was a great ab work out for me.

3.  When all else fails go mobile.  I played soccer in the living/dining room while holding a nursing baby more times than I can count.

 

Your best chance at getting her to leave you and the baby alone when you REALLY need to give undivided attention to the baby is to give her a TRUCK load of attention just prior to that time.

One book I've read recently talks about the best way to interact with a child with your voice only.  It recommends that you narrate the child's play.  So - instead of "Dylan are you playing with your cars?"  It's "Dylan's playing with his red car.  He's making it go fast."

Kinda like commentary on a sports game.  It's odd at first but it made a HUGE difference in Dylan's behavior.  It helped him feel like I was tuned into him and giving him attention when I wasn't able to physically play with him.  

Hang in there.  This does get easier....  I promise!!! 

LoveEeyore

I agree about giving her more 1-1 time... Also maybe make her in charge of some aspect of baby care (putting socks on or something.   I am constantly nursing and I nurse in the sling sometimes.  I also just try to act as if the baby is an appendage and continue playing(this morning it was pushing her on the swing at the playground- LOL).  Another thing I started doing at bedtime (I put one twin down, then DD#1, then the other twin) b/c DH travels alot and works late is I made a pocket with pics of fun things/toys that aren't in circulation.  Before I disappear to put LO down, I pull out the brightly colored envelope and velcro 3 options to the front.  she picks one and does trhat until I finish.  If she does well (she always does, now)  she can watch a Caillou before bed.  Good luck!