SAHMs: How to u keep toddler entertained?

sarahns80 · May 2011

I am not ready to start taking the baby out a lot yet and I'm finding it hard to keep DD entertained besides TV. We have been watching way too much TV! It's on almost all day because DS eats every 2 hours during the day and he eats for 30-40 min, so most my time is feeding him. When he sleeps I try to read her books, color or do puzzles with her but I feel guilty about the amount of time she's watching TV. What does your day consist of as a SAHM with a toddler and baby?

jinnymb · May 2011

First off give yourself a big break we just got out of the weeds of bringing the second home and it was really hard!!! My DS def watched a lot of TV the first month and I had lots of help. I do hate when he watches TV a lot so I felt guilty too but looking back it was really no big deal for a short time.

My pedi said to get some special toys you only put out while nursing so it keeps their attention. My DS will also still sit in a pack and play so I've had to put him in there sometimes to have a peaceful session. Our whole downstairs is baby proofed so he wonders around and plays, or uses his special toys, or sits with me and we read. I try singing to him while I nurse. I also try to nurse while he eats so I sit in the kitchen and that is helpful.

There are some activity books especially for toddler aged like pre-school lesson plans you can order from amazon for some ideas.

I know it's tough at first but you will be out and about especially with summer coming and the nursing sessions have gotten shorter. We are doing tons better with everything and I even have a loose schedule with them now. So give it some time you are doing great!!!

kcisthebombdotcom · May 2011

If you can master the football hold, you can sit on the ground and play with your toddler while you nurse your newborn. In the early days, I would do that and read books/play with toys. We put on music and he dances-he really likes that. I also sing him songs that he likes-wheels on the bus, itsy bitsy spider, etc. As a PP suggested, get a special toy for him to play with while you're nursing. Also, we do a lot of homemade toys, like a wooden spoon with plastic bowls, cheerios in a water bottle that he can shake for noise, etc.

Do you have any family or friends in the area that could watch DD? I had DS stay with my parents for about 8 hours a week (4 hours 2 days a week) and it was good for the both of us,. He got out of the house and got some one on one attention, and I got some alone time with the baby. On DH's days off from work, have him go out with DD to some fun places for a few hours.

Dont feel guilty over the TV usage-it happens.

jgoo · May 2011

I'm in your same boat. I feel guilty with the amount of TV my DS watches. But I keep it educational & I know its just the way it works right now.

When DD is content, I make the most of our time with reading, coloring, matching- any kind of developmental games I can think of. I also put back some special things for him to do when times get desperate- like when he wants attention but DD is being a handful.

Don't guilt yourself. Some days really are survival mode & you do what you gotta do. Smile

CaitlinJ22 · May 2011

I think TV is necessary in the first month or so to get through it all. We kept it educational of course, but it was on a lot. Dont beat yourself up. it happens. Soon your LO will nurse more efficiently and so it will be faster. You will get in a groove and you can limit TV again.

Can you nurse outside and let your older one play in the yard? I would let DS wonder in our baby proofed livivng room and play while I nursed. GL, it gets MUCH easier!

AutumnBride929 · May 2011

I'm not a SAHM but I can tell you some activities that keep our toddler entertained.

He loves going outside so that's a pretty easy fix since we have a fenced in backyard. I don't find nursing out there ideal only because we don't have a comfortable place for it but I will if I absolutely have to.

-Balls

-Bubbles

-Sidewalk chalk

-Tee-ball set

-Sprinkler/water balloons

Inside activities:

-Coloring books

-Storybooks

-TV/movies (hey, you gotta do what you gotta do)

-Eating is always something he likes to do, lol

-Balloons (he loves balloons)

HappyHealthyGlo · May 2011

I understand where you are coming from and I too used to feel guilty about too much TV. I would see DD's eyes glued to it like a drone and I hated it so much so I got rid of it except for one movie a day in the afternoon.

The best way I keep her entertained now is to just be in the room or within earshot of her. I found out that when she is ready to play with me, she will come to me and let me know. She will bring me a book or a toy and we will play. But much of the time to my surprise she is fine playing with her books and toys without me having to be 100% engaged.

I didn't like the idea of it at first because I felt guilty seeing her playing alone in silence and I thought there had to be something wrong with that. But there isn't. If anything I have found that she is more in control and makes decisions for herself as far as what activities she likes.

etude de la vie · May 2011

i am in the same boat and during nap every week or so I rotate toys. Sometimes not seeing a toy for a week makes it "new" again. Also putting her toys in a new part of the room helped.

I try to stick to a schedule with TV. She gets TV in the morning (sesame street) and after her snack in the afternoon as I attempt to cook dinner.

I do let her play on my iphone too much but it is educational math/lang games. I also baby proof the heck out of my house so if I am stuck on the couch and she isn't in eye sight she is at least in ear shot and I can hear if I don't hear a toy playing.

Try nursing near on the floor. sometimes when I do this DD will come over to come cuddle on the floor between my legs.

Want a personalized experience?

SAHMs: How to u keep toddler entertained?

Re: SAHMs: How to u keep toddler entertained?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards