What do you do with your baby when you have chores to do?

Question

I have a 3 month old. I feel guilty when I have to leave her either in her bouncer or on a blanket on the floor.

What do other moms out there do?

Answer 1

At that age I used her Tummy Time gym, her swing or her play pen.  It works better if they have toys to play with like with the gym.

Answer 2

you can get certain things that strap across your body that the baby can lie in  

Answer 3

well sometimes i would where him in a sling or i would wait until he went to sleep- now he entertains himself much better at 16 months so sometimes he even helps me lol. IMO he a lot more important than the chores. if your baby seems content and doesnt mind the few minute to themselves tehn it's fine

Answer 4

My kids went into their cribs with their "exercise" gym to play with.  Children need to learn to entertain themselves.  I wouldn't leave a child on a blanket on the floor while I was doing chores, she should be in a crib or someplace safe.  

Answer 5

I leave him in his bouncer or the blanket on the floor.  That's what babies do!  Don't feel guilty.  You are teaching your baby how we go about the day, daily chores.  Talk to your baby and describe to him what you are doing while you are doing it.  There is no guilt and doing what you need to do - cleaning the house.  

Answer 6

i do the same i feel bad to but u cant spoil her by always being around she needs to explore the world for herself leave a bright coloured toy for her to amuse herself with and maybe some music

Answer 7

I'm going to agree with a lot of the other moms that have responded.  There are a few different ways you can go about it.  Baby-wearing is a great solution to your guilt because you will have your baby with you.  However, this can be complicated sometimes when you are cleaning and can get baby close to the fumes of cleaners.  While these will honestly not really hurt your baby if she's only around them on rare occasions, it still makes me nervous.  For chores that don't work well with baby in a sling or wrap, try doing those when baby is sleeping.  That still does not allow enough time to get everything done that need to be, so your next solution is trying to involve baby.  It might sound silly, but it is how she will learn.  Sing ABC's and nursery rhymes to her while you wash dishes.  Fold clothes with her in her bouncer.  Show her what a sock is and say, "white sock" or "brown sock."  Let her feel a soft shirt and say "soft."  Many moms don't take the time to do these things, but they will help your baby get ahead.  The more we do this, the quicker our babies talk (all babies are different still) and the smarter they become!  Enjoy this time, chores and all!!  Good luck, mommy!

Answer 8

I learned to do as much as possible with one hand  while holding baby in the other. lol sometimes i would use her swing she loved it or when grandma came over let her play with baby

Answer 9

at that age theres really not much else you can do with her! When my son was that age he usually sat in his bouncy and moved from room to room as I was doing chores... he enjoyed to sit there and watch me, I would just make sure to pay attention to him every once in a while, I would turn around and talk to him, or I would maybe sing while I cleaned so I could entertain him... he always enjoyed it...  

Answer 10

my baby loved the swing when she was that age. put her near u so she knows ur there. i used to feel guilty too but you gotta do waht yougotta do! u cant hold her forever

Answer 11

At three months old she was usually lying on the floor under her crib gym.  Now at nine months old she is usually following me around, getting into everything!  I do most of my cleaning and laundry while she is napping and sleeping.

Answer 12

sometimes if i have the time and don't have to work that day i'll wait until she's asleep.  

Answer 13

Slings are good. Otherwise I'd prop her up in her little chair so she could see what I was doing, or I'd do the same as you and leave her on the floor. They don't need your attention every minute of the day, they let you know when it's time for you to stop the housework and pay attention to them again. Sometimes dragging the blanket to a different part of the room so they get a different view is all that's required.

If worst came to worst (such as a growth spurt or some such trauma) I didn't do the chores.

Answer 14

I get housework done during naps and after bedtime mostly.  :)

If your baby is happy sitting in the bouncer in the same room you are doing housework in, then let her be.  She can certainly use the time to take a look around and check out her environment, and you can still talk to her.  If you or her are uncomfortable with her sitting in the bouncer, then put her in a sling so you can hold her and get stuff done all at once  :)

Answer 15

I try to do my chores when my son (5 months) is napping.. otherwise he is content in his exersaucer or jolly jumper.. when he was 3 months he was content in his bouncer or swing.. or if I am just going to be a few minutes, I will place him in his crib with his mobile on which he loves to watch.

Answer 16

oh, don't feel guilty ---- letting them play on their own is actually an important developmentally.  As long as your baby is content in the bouncer or on the floor (and it's safe) then it's a perfect solution.  When my baby was 3 months I did chores while the baby was napping, and I did them when she played on the floor or was under the mobile. I would fold laundry while my baby was in the bouncer or lying on the bed next to me.  I also got a housekeeper to come once every two weeks to do the heavy cleaning.  

Answer 17

daddy watches her or i wait until she is sleeping. I sometimes wear her while i do chores or she sits in her many activity centers. Or I sit her in her bouncy seat or on a blanket on the floor. No guilt here.

Answer 18

if you must do chores, invest in a playmat with lots of toys and sides so he cant roll off or a swing also works well : )

Answer 19

I wore her in a front carrier...until I had to have my gallbladder out and my incisions prevented me from doing so. After that, I'd put her in her car seat and carry her downstairs with me while I did the laundry. She seemed to enjoy watching. She's 5-1/2 months and still pretty much goes wherever I go. Good luck!

Answer 20

You could always try baby wearing....it was a life saver when my son was tiny...he's almost 11 months old now and wayyyy to heavy to wear now...I used to move my son's swing into whatever room I was in so he could still be close to me and see me while I did household chores (dishes, cooking, cleaning, laundry) and I would talk to him in detail about what I was doing and why....the bouncer was another big help...now that he's old I've found his walker is a life saver..I can put him in the walker and he follows me around the house.

Answer 21

I do that exact thing.  Otherwise in her swing which she loves a lot.  Mine is only 3 1/2 weeks though.  She tends to cry though so then I have to stop and hold her for a little while or give her the pacifier so things don't get done so fast.  

Answer 22

you learn to do your stuff while baby is sleeping or when dad or someone is home to help....baby will need some alone time too..you don't want to be there 24/7.......mom of 7