How do you find time to write with a 2 month old?

Question

I'm in the middle of my dissertation. My husband commutes an hour each way for his job. My son does not like to be put down for more than 10 minutes. I can barely remember what I was writing about, let alone write something in 10 minutes. What are you supposed to do with an infant besides hold him? Any tricks out there?

Oh, and I wear him most of the time, which is fine for housework, etc, but not for typing at a computer - he likes to be moving when he is in his sling or bjorn. The only things he likes to do while sitting still are breastfeeding and sleeping - both of which require at least one of my hands. I need both of those to type effectively.

Answer 1

get a swing!!!

play mat (gymini makes a great one)

Answer 2

I have a two month old as well and when I am on the computer breastfeed her. I put a pillow on my lap and use my nursing cover wrapped around her and my neck. this makes sure she won't fall or anything. She loves it and it gives me time on the computer. Hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 3

Keep practicing!  I thought I would never be able to nurse and type with both hands but I learned.  A boppy or pillow is needed to get baby to the right height (particularly if you are short with big floppy b***s like me).  A foot support is also useful.

You can try a back carrier (yes he's a bit young but I'm talking about while sitting or if you swaddle you can put a swaddled baby in a back carrier) or a swing/bouncer(yes you may have to put it on a table just be smart)  where he can see you/the computer.  I have been known to type on 1/3 of the screen with 2/3 on something like Windows Media Player visualization.

Try a wireless keyboard so you can type from the couch or floor with the baby.

Or write pen on paper and invest in some good OCR software or use voice recognition software (probably not so if using technical terms, latin, etc)

Answer 4

Well a swing is great, but my God send, is this little bouncer thing. it sits low to the ground, doesnt take up a lot of space, it vibrates and plays noise, cheap you can buy them for $20, and I havent found a baby who didnt love it! I use it a lot, I put her in it and I am able to bring it into the bathroom with me when I take a shower. It can hold up to 30lbs so it can be used for a while!

Mine is 2 months old btw.  

Answer 5

SWING!! that is what you need haha. its a wonderful invention :) I used Graco.

Answer 6

in my experience ( i have twins that are two months old tomorrow! and five older children),i can only say two words to you: vibrating chair. Whomever invented that should be knighted! LOL Other things that you can try are a baby swing,  a car seat that rocks ( i have spent many hours having to write or type or teach a class while rocking a car seat with my foot), or finding a neighbor that will babysit for acouple hours a day until your dissertation is finished. Failing all that, wait until he is taking his longest nap, and then work on your paper. My twins sleep for about 3 hours from 9-midnight each night. THat is when i am the most efficient at home. good luck

Answer 7

You sound a lot like my wife. We had our daughter, and two weeks later she was back at school working on her Masters thesis. Right no I am stay home with our daughter, and I am in school full time.

I work on my classes from 9 pm - 12 am, and during her nap I get about an hour and half in. When she is awake she will not allow anyone to work  on a computer.

The best advice I can give is to work in a separate room, while you husband is home, and when you child sleeps, every few days, and catch up on sleep on the other days.

Good Luck!