How Do I Keep My Little One Quiet and Busy For A Funeral Service?

Question

He is 5 months old-

Can I give him raw carrots to chew on? Also, he is breastfed with one feeding of sweet potato at night (there will be more vegis introduced, but he just started eating so we are trying a new vegi every 3 days) , I was wondering if he is old enough for water? I was thinking that if he gets loud I could just quiet him with a bottle of water (perhaps just long enough to walk him out of the room).... Any ideas? This will be a long day for him completely off of his schedule....

(1PM until I am not exactly sure, because this isn't going to be like a typical funeral, all of the visiting hours, wake, and funeral service, burial will be in the same day---therefore a long day for our little one ---and hubby and me---)

Answer 1

Yikes...I don't envy you. Do you have to be there for all of it. Can't you just pay your respects and take him for a walk. I remember when I had to do this with a 10 month old. I think it was just more of a distraction to the others. Do what is best for your little guy.

Answer 2

Why are you taking him?  Is there no-one you can ask to babysit for the day?

Babies and young children are far too young to understand they need to be quiet.

If he does start crying/needs to be changed/fed etc you will have to leave in the middle of the service and disrupt it.

There will be grieving friends and relatives who will not want to hear a screaming child however good your intentions.

It will obviously be a long enough day for all of you and if your child can't nap when he needs to he will cry loads which will make the day even harder for you.

Yes, you can give him water but this will not satisfy him for long.  He will not really see the benefit of chewing on carrot sticks and if he hasn't had them before may reject them altogether.

If you insist on taking him then express some milk....just not sure where you would store it during a long day.  It is something he is used to and will satisfy his hunger far more than water and a carrot stick.

Answer 3

YOU DO NOT GIVE A BABY RAW VEGGIES!!!!!!

If he cries let him breastfeed, give him a dummy. Before the service, have him fed, clean nappy and hopefully he will sleep through out the service