Tips for Helping My Baby Enjoy His Stroller and Bouncy Seat

Get him out of all those contraptions and put him on his belly on the floor! He should be spending 30 minutes 4X a day on his tummy! This is CRITICAL for normal development. School issues, sensory issues and developmental delays all come back to not enough time on the belly!

You are doing great! There is nothing your son needs more than to be near you and to be cuddled by you. But, my goodness, you are only human! And soon this tiny baby will be a bigger baby, and your back may not be willing to tote him around when he starts clocking in at heavier weights. Keep in mind that, the reason that he does not like being in a stroller or bouncer is because you are a good mom and he doesn't want to be away from you. It is the initial shock of "Whoa - why am I in here and mommy's way over there?!?!" that is causing him distress. I would recommend being as distracting as possible when putting him in the stroller or bouncer. Dance him into it, sing as you put him into it, make funny faces, make funny noises - do anything to let him know that it will be fun to be in the stroller or bouncer. If he is relaxed going in, then he will be more apt to enjoy the ride or bounce.
Also, you seem to already know that you do not need to come a-running when he peeps. But I will say it anyway: you do not need to come a-running when he peeps. He will learn to soothe himself, which is an important skill to learn. Unless you want to be toting a college student in a sling someday. LOL.
Happy Mommy-ing.

hang in there you are not alone i have 4 and they are all so different that i still feel the way you do. we are made to respond to our babies, so don't feel bad about holding your baby to much, but you still need to get things done right. I used a baby sling the old fashioned kind that looks uncomfortable for bb but they loved it. i also kept the bb in all the rooms we were in stop and talk to the bb a lot, and start with a few quiet moments of rocking the bouncy seat with your foot going longer each time computer etc.. My son loved to be in the middle of the action. Just make sure to still put them down for nap and sleep in their space, so they still know when to rest. do you have a swing??? this was a godsend for me with one of the kids. Hope this helps. From: nicole mom of 4 and wife to the greatest husband in the world!

Does your bouncy have fun toys on it? My son really liked to kick the rattles and make the music turn on. As much as I'm not a fan of battery powered toys it was pretty nice. We had the Rainforest bouncer and I think he was about two months old when he figured out that his action (kicking) got a reaction (music turns on). Even my nephew (who is a notoriously needy baby) enjoyed it for long enough for his mom to eat a meal while they were visiting us. Also, I had a stroller that faced me when my son was that little. Ours attached to the bucket style car seat. I think it helped that he was able to see me even if I wasn't holding him.

I think putting him in a nd getting moving RIGHT away would be good, during a walk in the neighborhood or a park perhaps. I know my baby didn't like the sling at first and that tricked worked with the sling so why not the stroller? Is there a good view for him to look at? Does he face you, or some treetops? What does he see?

I had the same issue with my son when he was a baby. My hubbi showed me a cool trick to help me out. It wont be easy but at first he will fuse ,cuz my son did the same (I feel your pain...lol) but it will help you wing him into the stroller. Make it a habit of putting him in the stroller or bouncy seat 5mins a day...just to start then increase the time as he gets use to it. Make it a fun thing...toys sounds lites...They usally come with things u can attach that will catch his attention. if you dnt have stuff you can attach u can use the tv...little ensitine for example....its hard special with your first child but along the way it will help you and your son.

Goodluck!xoxo

Those other recommendations are great...I have a 3.5 month old daughter and a 22 month old son. I held both of them a lot. In fact up until the last few weeks my daughter didn't want anyone but me..not even my husband. I know it's hard to let them fuss for a moment (I always ran to my daughter too) but sometimes they just need to work it out for a few minutes. I wouldn't say let it go on and on but give it a few minutes longer each time and see if he can learn to entertain himself. He is only 2.5 months old so this may not happen for a month or so when he starts to grab for things. You could also try laying next to him and talking to him rather than carrying him if your back hurts. Good luck...you will find your way!

Hey M.,
I've been there. I had a Baby Bjorn that I used and found that my back started to hurt so I switched to the one that was designed for being active. The active Bjorn had a lot more back support and really made a huge difference. I didn't use a sling, but maybe you could check to see if there's one that offers more support - it really helped me. As for the bouncy chair - I used mine a ton. I just put it near wherever I was and that seemed to help. As long as my son could see me near him he was okay. Do you have a swing by chance? It was a lifesaver. My son was content to stay in the electric swing for some time so I cold get things done. Also, he loved lying on those little floor mats on his back (they have mobiles and things hanging down for the babies to look at and grab). I know it's hard, but it sounds like you're doing a great job. When he gets a little older, the excersaucers are awesome!! I hope some of this helped you!

They do love to be held! A couple of things that might help:

I LOVE that you're using slings for your baby! It's so good for them and (especially when you have more than one child, lol.) so much easier!Your back shouldn't really hurt after carrying the baby in a sling. I don't know what kind you're using, but the main reason it hurts is because you don't have the weight distributed enough. Spread out the fabric across your shoulders/back--get someone else (hubby) to do it if you can. If you know an experienced babywearing mom, or can find a group, that can be a huge help. If you'd like to message me about the type, I'll try to help online!

Also, you might want to look into an exercise class for new moms, if you can. You have to be careful (get an instructor/class for new moms), but a little toning might help you feel better. Even gentle walk outside helps wonderfully!

Think about what's different when dad's on the computer and your little guy is happy in the bouncy. I found my two liked to be close enough to see me (within about four feet) and they needed to be good and awake--it's hard work to look around when you're little! They would last about twenty minutes (time enough for a shower!) When they were sleepy, my daughter hated the vibrate, etc.--it overstimulated her, but my son loved it and would nod right off.

Also, learn to talk a LOT :-) Your voice can be very reassuring and, believe me, you want to be able to comfort them over little stuff without running to them! I used to babble to my kids, or sing, or just talk about where we were, what I was doing, etc.

I know it seems like you'll never use the stroller, but every phase is a very short time in your life and they will soon sit up and want look around, and you'll be able to choose between slinging and stroller. (BTW, can he see you when he's in the stroller? And talk to him, and keep it moving!) I have to say, though, that I used a sling with my daughter until she was three. It's great at Disney--no stroller to haul--and on those walks where they WANT to walk, but get tired. My son, who is two, still gets sling rides for fairs, long walks, multiple errands, etc. I kind of miss it now that he wants to walk like a big boy!

Congratulations! Remember that nothing lasts forever and let me know if you'd like sling help!

At this age, your baby still wants to be held...alot...but you can wean him and you by putting him in the stroller for a short walk in the park or neighborhood. He's still too young to sit up and enjoy the scenery; but he'll surely love the strolls once old enough to sit up.
Your back issue needs to be addressed. If money is an issue and you cannot afford a weekly visit to the chiropractor and/or massage therapist, then ice packs will alleviate the strain you feel. OK, maybe an Advil now and then. Use the nursing/feeding time to help your back.

First of all, babywearing is wonderful! So don't let anyone (or yourself) criticize you. I wore my babies tons, too, and I do understand the toll it can take on your back. Do you have a sling that goes over both shoulders? That can help immensely. Here's an article on a variety of sling types.
http://infantstoddlers.suite101.com/article.cfm/guide_to_...

A stretchy or non-stretchy wrap http://attachment-parenting.suite101.com/article.cfm/stre... (that's my baby in the pic!) might work best for you, or a mei tai type carrier.

As for the bouncy chair, you may have hit the nail on the head. Instead of picking him up at every fuss, try just singing a song so he knows you are there. He'll probably grow to like the stroller as he gets a little older and starts looking around more.

Unless you've had a c-sec you can probably do some abdominal workouts to help strengthen your back. Yoga is good, too, but who has time for a yoga class when you have a tiny baby right? Although a dvd at home might work, or an excercise show on tv (if you have a dvr, record them and do a yoga workout while he's napping).

I will tell you that my back bothered me a lot when my kids were little, but now they are 2 and 4 and I'm totally back to normal, so there is hope!

Keep up the good work and enjoy your little guy.