question for those with newborn and toddler.....

kadensmama09

What all do you do with your toddler while you are nursing your LO? I feel like we are spending way too much time in front of the tv (DS is not big on playing alone). Would love to hear your ideas!!!

Leap08

My toddler plays independently really well, so this hasn't been a huge issue. Sometimes I'll read to her while I'm nursing. Sometimes I'll set her up with crayons and a coloring book. Most of the time she's off doing her own thing though.

Torani

He loves curling up on the couch with a pillow, his blanket and a sippy cup.  Half the time he steals my iPod Touch to play with too. 

kcisthebombdotcom

I sat on the ground and fed DD while I played with DS.

I also would bring DS to the rocker with me and read him a story/let him help burp baby to keep him entertained.

penguinem

I haven't needed to implement it but I read a suggestion on the 2u2 board to have a "nursing basket" of special toys just for nursing time.

jaemiller

I noticed that LO #1 was spending a lot of time in front of the tv while I nursed also.  I started reading to him while I nursed, singing songs or just talking to him.  He will play independently also, which is so nice!  I just make sure that when LO #2 is settled or napping that I spend as much time with LO #1 as possible!  Don't stress too much, I'm sure you will find your grove;)  

jmlushbough

penguinem:

I haven't needed to implement it but I read a suggestion on the 2u2 board to have a "nursing basket" of special toys just for nursing time.

We did this, but it was hard for our son to understand that those toys were just for nursing time -- as in, tantrums when it was time to put them away, or wanting to play with them when we weren't nursing. So they just became all-the-time toys.

In the beginning, it was harder -- DS was jealous and would often act out whenever I got the nursing pillow out. Sometimes I would put him in his crib with some toys, books or the iPad. Sometimes the TV would go on. Sometimes he'd sit and read a book. We just did what worked. And I praised the heck outta him when he was able to be patient and pleasant during nursing.

Now, he's much better (and DD is much faster, so that helps). He usually ignores us or plays with us while we nurse. It's old news, I guess!

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

When DD2 was still a newborn, I would sometimes have DD1 sit in my lap or next to me while I was nursing (took some practice, but doable) and we'd read a book together. Now that DD2 is bigger, I will just sit on the floor and play with DD1 (cars, tea party, anything that doesn't require me to move around) while the little one nurses.

I know you said your DS wasn't big on playing alone, but what about finger paint or play dough? Does he like those? And could he play with it for a few minutes without your help?

jssica2

Hi i have a 3 year old and a 9 mouth old. my son is 3 at frst it was just me my husand and r son now i have a 9 mouth old my son thanks we dont love him like we did be4 his sister come but we love him the some so he acks up a lot 2 get us 2 knotes him. we know he is thaer i dont know what 2 do 2 let him know we love him likw we love his sister the same.

AmandaP678

We had the same issue, Tim would act up, hit the dog, throw things etc. Having special toys worked some, but it did get better. As Nick became a better nurser and Tim adjusted it got better.

I felt pretty guilty about the amount of Tv Tim watched too, but I tried to get him outside as much as possible. And if it was possible I'd nurse Nick outside

You could also suggest special snacks too.

jmlushbough

I forgot to add that our son really likes his high chair, so I would often put his chair in the living room and give him color crayons or play-dough or some other crafty thing and just let him sit in his chair. That way he was entertained and contained!

MrsRon

DS1 was 19 months when DS2 was born.  I was able to use just one hand when I nursed, so it freed me up to hold a book and read to DS1.  He really seemed to enjoy the semi-dedicated Mommy time, and his language development EXPLODED in just a few months!

bleu928

Leap08:

My toddler plays independently really well, so this hasn't been a huge issue. Sometimes I'll read to her while I'm nursing. Sometimes I'll set her up with crayons and a coloring book. Most of the time she's off doing her own thing though.

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Lisichka

DD loves hanging out with us while I nurse DS. Sometimes, she'll bring a book along and we read (or she "reads" to me), sometimes a toy. She also likes bringing her own babies along and "nursing" them too. Other times, we sit in the living room and she brings her crayons and colors next to me.