When did you start to...

Question

When did you start to be able to do more housework with your baby in the same room and not crying b/c you weren't holding him? My baby is 9 weeks and I still have to put him to sleep before doing housework. Meanwhile, I would like to be sleeping as well, because he keeps me up all night.

Answer 1

As long as you keep giving in and picking him up when he fusses only because you're not holding him, it's not gonna get any better. If you KNOW that there's nothing wrong, let him cry for a few minutes while you wash dishes. Keep him where he can see you (use a bouncer or a swing) and talk or sing to him while you're working. When you're done, pick him up and give him hugs. It will take no time at all for him to see that it's ok when Mommy's not holding him 24/7. Not only that, but he will learn to console himself- which will help lots when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

Answer 2

I have done as the first person answered. Wear the baby in a sling or carrier.

Try putting a swing to use.

Do 5 minutes worth of chores at a time.

He will do better as he gets bigger.

Answer 3

I just wear my baby all day long in a sling, and my toddler helps me clean. I couldn't imagine wasting my kids' naptimes doing chores. That's MY time, lol.

Answer 4

My baby started sleeping through the night at 12 weeks (waking at 11pm, 1:30am, 4:30am but at least it gets predictable). At that point she also started taking a 2-3 hour nap in the mornings which helped soo much. When she started rolling over.. I didn't really notice a difference in her independence.

However, when she started crawling at 6 months there was a huge change in her personality WOW. She was sooo independent and didn't want to be held. I could do housework and she was perfectly content to crawl around and examine all of her toys and the furniture.

My daughter has always wanted to be held and has always been a 'go go go' baby so I think I know how you feel..

Hang in there momma, it does get better!

Answer 5

ummm I don't know I know that my brother was about 2 months old when my mom could do all the house work without putting him to sleep

Answer 6

after 6 months

i have a baby brother, hes 1 year old

Answer 7

Heck i could do it from day one. He loved being in his swing plus he slept most of the time.  

Answer 8

My daughter is 11 months and it wasn't just up until a few months ago that she started letting me do something other than playing with or holding her.  

Answer 9

lol yeah i could pretty much do housework as soon as my body was up to it. neither one of my boys cried constantly because i wasnt holding them. dont get me wrong, they do have their days, but nothing constant. and plus in the beginning, my boys slept all the time, so that made it easier. but even if they were up, i would still do my housework....just put them in a swing or let them play on the floor with some toys...i dont like doing housework during naptimes either...that is my time..i do my work while my boys are up. as for him being up all night, try feeding him a little more before bedtime. hopefully that will help him sleep a little longer so you can get some sleep.  

Answer 10

It sounds like you may have some post-partum depression.  You should talk to a doctor.