Where Can I Put My Baby Once She Starts Crawling/walking While I Do Chores?

Hi L., the best thing EVER created for babies is a jumperoo. I received one (Fisher Price- Rainforest Jumperoo) for my little one and I put him in it at around 3 months. It has adjustable heights on it for when they grow, but even at the lowest setting he couldn't reach the floor so we put a pillow underneath for about 3 weeks until he could reach the floor. That thing saved me until he was a little over 1 yrs.old! I was able to cook, clean, do his bottles, etc. He absolutely LOVED it! A jumping, laughing maniac is what I called him :) There are so many colorful gadgets that help promote their skills too. I think all that jumping really made his legs strong- he started to crawl at 5 months perfectly and walked at 9 months. I have had 4 clients/friends that had babies and each one of them received a Jumperoo and thank me all the time, telling me how it is the best thing ever! After my son was too big for it, I just kept a foldable playpen in the kitchen with a bunch of toys to keep him occupied. Good luck to you & enjoy every minute of your little one!

Before my girls started walking, I'd put them in the exersaucer for a quick shower, unload the dishwasher, prep dinner, etc. After they started walking, I put them in the pack-n-play (play yard) when I needed a couple minutes use of both hands :) Good luck!

I always used a walker with my babies...just make sure they can't grab anything that can fall on them or hurt them or anything. I also used a playpen, but my 2nd daughter was able to climb out of that at 10 mo. old LOL Both my girls loved their swing as well (half the time they fell asleep in it!). Just know that it's ok if you have to be out of sight for 5 min. and she cries, it won't hurt her and when you finish what you need to do, you can pick her up and she will start to learn that just because you are out of sight doesn't mean you are gone! You can also try talking to her from the other room or singing or something so she knows you're there.

I used an exersaucer with all four of my kids while they were at that stage and it was a LIFESAVER and they all walk just fine. They all started walking at about 11-12 months.

They didn't stay in there ALL the time -- just when I needed to get something done for a few minutes.

You can also get one of those big gates that you can wrap around one area of the room -- put some of their toys inside the gate -- and maybe they would be happy for a while.

I had lots of experience with the whole crawling/walking phase... Whew!! LOL It's a lot of fun, but can be exhausting at the same time. I love the exersaucers and walkers (not around stairs, of course).

I put my son in his room, left the door open, and put a baby gate cross the doorway. I could hear him playing in there and see him as I walked about the house doing chores. It was a safe place that he could be while I was in another room doing laundry or making dinner and needed him out from under my feet. I also kept the baby moniter clipped to my waist so I could hear him.

Well once they go mobile girl, it is never the same! Sometimes(like now!) my house is just dirty. Keeping up with a toddler when my hubby is gone for about twelve hours a day is a big job all in itself! However I agree with the other moms that during the crawling months, any form of "lock down" is just fine for a little while. My son just loved this rain forest bouncy seat and I think it might of actually helped him develop his little leg muscles. But I have such an active boy that he wouldn't say in it for long anyway, so your little one will probably tell you when she has had enough:) As far as showering, I usually just shower before he gets up, after he is down for bed or during nap time, I used to put him in his exersaucer and grab a bath, but now we are well into todderldum so those days are gone:) Best wishes and get ready, it's on when they get moving!!

We use the Jumperoo and the walker!!! The best things!! We also have aa jumper the goes in the doorway for my shower time and when I'm working out.

L. the excersaucer was my favorite piece of "furniture" (LOL) for several months! My daughter loved it up until she was about 9 mos then wanted no part in it because she knew it meant mommy was going to walk away for a few minutes. However, she is now 10 months and started walking yesterday-it did not delay her walking at all! Now, we have a baby gate, but when I cook dinner or do kitchen stuff, usually I just let her play in the kitchen floor with tupperware and that works! But mostly I just put her in her high chair in the kitchen with me with toys or a snack! When I do laundry or vaccuum or mop she wants to be with me, so i just stick her in my sling and she does it right along with me! The sling I have is the BEST! It holds babies up to 35lbs and can be used in tons of different styles for different weights and ages-here is the link-they have lots of different fabrics other than what is listed-send them an email if you are interested- www.sissysdesigns.com

I use this lil' play zone

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

I put a foam mat on the floor and put a lot of toys.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
(you can find cheaper foam mats but without letters or numbers at Sams Club)

I also use the exersaucer, my baby girl loves it and it won't delay walking. I understand that is the walker what is not good. (which is as dangerous as having your baby crawling around by herself)

Good luck!
M.

When I would have to make dinner or take a shower I would put my son in an exersaucer and put in a baby Einstein video. he loved them and was captivated. He still loves them. He walked at twelve months, has never had any problems. We play together most of the day there is nothing wrong with putting a video in for 20 minutes, they were a godsend.

My exersaucer was a godsend. We started putting our son in one when he was 2 months old just so he could sit up sometimes. It definitely didn't hinder his walking. He started when he was nine months and is now 14 months old and running. He loved his exersaucer. Also we purchased a couple of baby gates, baby proofed the living room and let him have free run. It surely helps when needing to do chores and run to the restroom. I hope this helps even a little.

My daughter loved her "saucer" and started walking at nine months! She is now 11 and has stopped moving since!

Baby prooof life threatening problems, stairs, cords, plugs, poisons, and furniture that she could pull down on herself. Let her rome and teach her tthe word no early and often. In the kitchen, she had a cabinet that she could play in (pots and pans and plastic cups and wooden spoons and other fun things with tactile qualities and that make great noises) while I cooked.
Baby wearing is another great option that lets her see your world evey now and then and thus demystify it.
If I couldn't do it with her there, I would do it while she slept.
They learn a lot more this way than when they are set in and exeraaucer or play pin. This is a very exciting time for both of you. Have fun.

i am on my second daughter who is now 5 months old as well. when i need to do household obligations i try everything, the bouncer, the floor, the walker, the high chair, a pillow barricade on the overstuffed arm chair, tummy time on a blanket, or lately, in her play yard. whatever means safety and silence for you is what you should do.

protect your baby and also your sanity, so go for something you both can agree on, there is just about a thousand things you don't really ''need'' but may help with your peace of mind.

One of those Evenflo bouncer seats.

My daughter was fully crawling by 6 months and she spent a lot of time in the exersaucer. Do not believe that myth.

But since she will be mobile she might not want to be in there for long periods of time. When my daughter started crawling, my husband and I purchased gates. We gated off our den. It was the safest place in the house and she could not get into any danger there.

For a long time, this was the only place she was really allowed to play especially unsupervised. Now, that she is walking, she is still only allowed to be in this area while we are trying to cook or clean. When we are not doing one or the other and we are watching her, she is allowed to walk back and forth from the den and the kitchen.

We had this thing called a "Johnny Jumper" that you put in the door way and they could jump and bounce around in it. My daughter loved it and would stay in it while I would cook dinner. It helps their leg muscles for sure and I never had a problem with it!
Good Luck! =)

Good Morning L.!,
I always put my baby in the walker or his activity bouncer When he was younger. Now that he is 18 months old, I put up a baby gate (or 2) in a room close to where I am, or I put the baby monitor in with him if im upstairs & he is downstairs, so I can hear him while im cleaning. I dont feel the excersaucers delay walking, My actiivty bounce is simular to that, but they can exersice thier legs in it because it has adjustable straps to adjust to thier height & the can bounce in itYou could also use a baby swing, but the walker & bouncer allows movement. I am getting ready to sell his walker (Disney Lights & Sounds) it still has the box & looks brand new & his activity jumper which also has lights & sounds & the seat spins around so they can play with all the little "toys" around it....like new, incase your looking purchase one. Im not trying to advertise, just letting you know incase your looking for either in excellent shape. Im in the Pasadena area, you can email me privately if you'd like me to email you pictures of them.

Exersaucers are a LIFESAVER!!!! They only delay walking if you leave your child in there ALL the time. I use it for when I'm cooking, or taking a quick shower. I also have a special cabinet, pull of plastic cups and toys that the baby can get into while I'm in the kitchen. As far as cleaning, I do that while's she's napping.

Wow, you have lots of advice already, I didn't read them all but just wanted to say that my oldest (now 12) played in an Exersaucer from the time she was 5 months old. She absolutely loved it and walked at 12 months so it didn't seem to affect or delay her walking at all. Unfortunately my next two children didn't care for the exersaucer so rarely played in it (and actually walked later than my first). So I don't know what the statistics say, but the exersaucer did work for one of my children and didn't cause her any harm. It was a lifesaver for me.

All my kids used exersaucers and they started walking when they were 8 and 9 months old. I don't really think they delay walking at all. And so what if they do, the babies seem to really enjoy the freedom and independence they get from being able to be on their own for the first time.

Hi L., Looks like you've gotten some good advice. I just wanted to add that I allowed both my boys to use an excersaucer (NOT a walker) and they walked quite early at 9 and 10 months. I guess the important thing is to be sure baby has plenty of time out of the excersaucer...tho I'm sure it varies for each child. Anyway, good luck...this is a dilemma until they are about 21/2 and not getting into everything constantly. I think the perfect solution is involving her in your chores but that takes so much patience...I was never very good at that. :o\

Gates-babyproof- close doors to keep them in the room with you. We used a professional baby proofer for the first one and that was well worth the $200 dollars (16 years ago- don't know what they charge now). They put locks on all the dangerous cabinets, plugged up all the electrical outlets,and told me some things that I would not have thought about. Also left one cabinet open that had the plastic ware and a drawer w/ cookie sheets. All 3 of my kids LOVED playing in those while I cooked. (I had a cabinets like those- but by the sink- the babyproofer wisely told me to move it across the kitchen- out of harm's way - duh!) I also used bouncy seats, walkers (we were in a one story house)and sometimes just let them roam. That's why you babyproof. You just learn if it is quiet then they are into something they shouldn't be. My middle one rolled places at 4months and one day- she was completely mobile once she figured out how to roll front-back-front. I put her down in the living room 4 months after she was born and looked up to find her in the kitchen. She never stopped- walked at 8months, ran at 8 months and 1 week. NOTHING contained her- and she had been sitting in her walker so I don't believe it delayed anything!!! Just have her in the room with you- you will quickly realize it is not that big a deal. Give her a toy or two- she'll entertain herself.

use a playpen, exersaucer, bouncy chair, or carry her in a bjorn

I think you're thinking of walkers, which delay walking. Exersaucers are fine and a great solution. Pack N Plays are good when they can sit and stand as well. A Jumperoo also worked well for my son.

One tip - start babyproofing. You're going to have to do it eventually, the sooner you do it, the easier your life will be. My house is 100% kid safe. I left my 6 mo old on his own several times while I showered and he was crawling - there was nothing for him to get into. He's now 1 and has free range of the house. All the dangerous places (stairs) are gated off, rooms with dangerous items stay closed. It's nice to have him wake up, put him on the floor and just him explore!

S.

My son and daughter both loved the exersaucer. They are fine for short periods of time (not hours at a time). My daughter walked at 11 months and my son started walking at 9 months and both played in that exersaucer every day. As long as you don't keep them restrained in any kind of toy or swing for long periods of time and allow them time to explore on the floor, then you have nothing to worry about. My son also learned how to play around the outside of it when he wasn't sitting in it, so it can be a good tool once they are pulling up too. Good luck! My son is all over the place now walking everywhere and he's only 10 months old. I can't keep him in anything now or he just screams, so I just have to try to keep an eye on him while I get stuff done. His big sister helps though by telling me when he is touching something he shouldn't....although I'm sure I'll be telling her not to tattle soon enough...hahaha.

My son loved the exersaucer! If he wasn't in it, he would get upset until we would put him in it. When we decided to start limiting his time there for him to explore other things, he figured out how to stand up or even sit on the outside of it to play! I had also heard about it delaying walking, but I've learned to take everything in stride. How many times have they told us eggs are awful for us, then they're good, and back to bad again?? Everyone has an extreme bad situation for everything in life.

My son started walking at about 8 or 9 months. We thought he would skip crawling all together, which of course is bad too depending on who you listen to (though not according to our pedi). Unfortunately he had a fall that scared him pretty good and he decided he wouldn't try that again for a while. He was walking completely on his own by 12 mos.

Other ideas if you don't want to use the exersaucer- put her in a playpen with some toys or in a swing (though my big boy was way too big by 4 mos!).

My son had a walker and a exersaucer. The one had a flooring and stayed in place. He walked at 13 months. It seemed like he held onto things walking for a very long time. He still hates falling down. Once our son started crawling we barricaded the living room. My husband made a wooden thing that wouldnt fall and we covered it with a blanket so if my son did crawl on the side of it he wouldnt hurt himself. Now he has room to crawl and walk all over the house. When I need to take a shower I usually wait for his nap or just put him in his crib with some toys. He does cry but eventually plays with his toys. Its hard to grasp they will be fine for a quick shower and hair dry. I turn the baby monitor way up, but dont actually look at him because this would only frustriate him. Good luck.

Mine just followed me around. For the kitchen, I used a superyard since it can be configured any number of ways.

I put my baby (now 15mo) in an exersaucer, bounce chair, and swing when I needed free hands. Give them a change of scene so they do not get too board. This didn't slow my son he was walking at 11 months. It will also strengthen their legs to get ready for walking. If nothing else you can put her in her bed where she is safe. But the exersaucer she can watch you cook which she will like to do.

I used a playpen... that way you know she is safe in her little area and she can be in there with some toys to keep here entertained. As she gets older, she can stand and still be safe in the playpen.

If you live in the San Antonio area, I have one that I'm selling for $65. It's a 3-in-1. It can also be used as a crib, bassinet for taking naps. It's portable and comes in a carrying bag. Contact me if you are interested or would like more infotmation.

Hi L.!

We have two options that we use with our 9 month old. If we are downstairs in the kitchen we put her in travel crib with some toys. This keeps her entertained for at least 2 hours or more...which is enough time to cook dinner and eat too. When we are upstairs we use the fisher price jumper. It allows them to work on building their leg muscles and fine motor skills with their hands. This toy is really great!

Good Luck!

My children hung out in an exersaucer or in a high chair with finger foods while I was showering. It was never a super long shower, of course. I have not heard of an exersaucer delaying walking, but I am guessing that is extreme cases where a child was in an exersaucer for long periods of time. I don't think 15 minutes while you are showering would cause a delay in motor skills.

When I was in the kitchen cooking, my children were playing in the next room with toys on the floor or playing with plastics (Tupperware) in the kitchen. I made sure my house was completely baby proofed with cabinet locks, toilet lid locks, door knob covers, outlet plugs, etc.

When I did laundry, the kids often played at my feet. Sometimes I gave them the clean socks to play with while I was folding the other clothes. My kids didn't do much chewing on non-food items, though. LOL.

The exersaucer won't delay walking if you use it for 10 or 15 minutes at a time twice a day. They are fun for baby and she'll be busy while you are. I also carried my boys in a backpack around the house until they weren't interested in that anymore. The back pack is great because she gets your view of the world and you can talk while you are doing your thing and she'll feel so close and happy to be with you!

Whatever happened to the good old fashioned playpen? You could put baby in with toys and mobiles and know exactly where he/she was while you dealt with everything else. My 3 all were great in there for good stretches. Start early and give her lots of entertainment and stay in the same room with you.

My daugter had a full, almost body cast taken off at 7 months so she didn't move her legs at all. So she began at 7 months learning to move her legs. With her being chubby she has managed to crawl and begin to pull herself up by early 10 months.So I don't think I would believe the saucer theory.

I dragged her around with me on my hip while I did a lot of stuff one handed.Jumping baby gates going room to room. Helps lose weight if you need to. Unloading dishwasher and putting stuff away. Clothes from washer to dryer to laundry baskets. You can talk to baby the whole time telling what you are doing and where the stuff goes. Baby will listen.

I definetly have a playpin so I can toss her in to run to the bathroom or whatever.

I used an exersaucer with my baby girl and she started walking at 11 months. i wouldn't worry about it unless you leave her in it all of the time. I used to let me baby crawl around in the bathroom. i always keep toys in there for while I take a shower. As far as chores, sometimes I would put her in the high chair while I cooked. I would give her toys to play with. I hope this helps. Enjoy that baby girl!

Am I so stupid that I wasnt told about these "exersaucers"? What is that? Stupid me, I just put my kid on the floor....funny, she walked at 9 months....maybe she just wanted off the floor!!!
Seriously, my daughter is two and I never "put" her anywhere, except if I happened to miss a shower while husband was home, I would put her in her highchair outside my bathroom...talk about a quick shower!!!
She pretty much played at my feet during dishes, laundry, etc.
I always just made sure that my home was "baby-proofed" and I always had an eye on her. Perhaps my ignorance is why she doesnt depend on my every wink during the day now, at two years of age. She is a very non-clingy two year old.

Margaret :)

Our breakfast area is basically a part of our kitchen. We have a huge baby gate that we got at Lowes (it also makes a circle) and we gated off the breakfast area from the living room. Then I put up another gate so the kitchen is blocked off. The breakfast area is no longer a breakfast area--it is my daughter's play area. 100% childproof with all of her toys. Perfect! The big gate was high, like $150 bucks, but without it, I wouldn't have that area for her! Totally worth it!

I would highly recommed the Fisher-Price Jumperoo. It stays is place unlike an exersaucer. My son loved his.

Hi L.,

I used to put my son in his pack-n-play...(playpen) with some of his favorite toys. He could walk aroung the sides and we could play peek-a-boo. Bring it in whatever room your going to be in so she still knows your there and can see you. Good Luck.

You could give her the bottom drawer in the kitchen for small toys and Tupperware, in addition to a gate. That should help to keep her occupied!

We had a play yard which is a series of interlocking gates that makes a circle. This was great for when I needed to throw a load of laundry in, cook supper, talk on the phone run to the restroom etc. It collapses easy too so you can take it with you places and you can make it bigger or smaller depending on your needs. We also used it to surround the Christmas tree to prevent little hands from grabbing and toppling the tree!

I wouldn't leave baby in the play yard out of ear shot, such as if you were in the shower. The exersaucer may be good for that because you can bring it in the bathroom, but the play yard is great for other situations.

You can either do the house work while the little one is napping, or let her follow you around or baby proof the living room & invest in babygates. That is what the best, that way she can crawl around & play while you slip into the other room for a few seconds. Give her interesting toys & things to occupy her with while you step out to the potty or laundry room.

I Used a pen. I got it from Toys R Us and it was about $100. It was white and made of a heavy plastic and the corners were all curved for safety. It makes about a 10x10 but you can make it smaller or purchase extenders to make it bigger. It worked out great expecially when cleaning or cooking. I would put him in it and play music or cartoons for him while he played with his toys. He even had a riding scooter toy in there.

We loved our exersaucer. Both boys loved it, too. It's o.k. for them to be in it. I mean, it's only really 15 minutes or so at a time. Otherwise, think about getting a gate to "cordon" off an area for her to play in. That way she won't get too far away.

When my son started crawling, I went to Toys R US and they have this plastic fensing and I made a play pin as big as my living room and added a play house and he used it untill he started walking and still used it after that as a play room. Everyone made fun of me and said he looked like a puppy in a cage but you know what? He was safe when I needed him to be safe and never worried about him getting into something he wasn't supose to. I put all his toys and he was content and I wouud get in with him and he also took his naps in there. My mother in law also got one as well.

Around that time, I babyproofed my daughter's room REALLY REALLY well, and put a gate on it. I could leave her in there with some interesting toys for a few minutes at a time to do quick chores. I would peek in every couple of minutes t make sure she was ok. It helped her with independance. I also gated the kitchen off so I could keep her on the floor in there with me while I did dishes, made dinner, etc. I put her inn the pack and play in the bathroom with me while I showered. It was my intention to not use any of those walker devices, as I had also read that floor time is best, and that children shouldn't be aided into positions that they are not yet able to get into themselves. Once I set up my house for it, it was pretty easy. Good luck!

A walker for chore time. She can roam around some, follow you some, but not get into too much trouble. A playpin with good toys for shower time (with a video when you want to make sure you get a good shower). Just don't over use either one of them. If you use them habitually, but not abused, they will work wonders. I required all my kids to stay in the playpin, and they will without crying if they know they have no choice and that Mom will not make them stay there too long (15-30 minutes). I also didn't pick them up out of the playpin when they were crying; that enforces the no crying aspect of it. I also used a gate on the bedroom door at times too.

I did the exersaucer. I loved it. I almost bought 2, one for our bathroom and one for the livingroom/kitchen. (Now, I am also a FT working mom and needed some solution in order to get ready in the morning and not run late... Ultimately, it comes down to *Do what you have to*!) Did the exersaucer delay walking?... uh, I don't think so. However, my two cents: my daughter was very verbal early on. Very verbal. She was also mobile (crawling right on schedule, then steps holding on to furniture). But she didn't really have confidence to walk until 15 months. Technically, that is not considered a "delay".

However, the doctors say this... Your child will either be an early talker or an early walker; but she will not develop both simultaneously. Its one, then the other. Because, it requires the same area of the brain to learn speech (and how to manipulate tongue, mouth and vocal chords) and to learn walking; the infant brain can not learn both skills at the same time.

I also had a bouncy jumper. She liked it but I always felt it appropriate to be nearby when she was in it, just in case... although there was never any accidents that occurred. The jumper was in the livingroom/kitchen when I was cooking. And we set-up a plastic gated 'play pen' that I could put her and some toys in when necessary... Play pen started more when she was 11-12 months. (Which I guess is why I never bought a second exersaucer...)

Hi L.,
I had exersaucers for my twins and they both walked at 12 months. There was no issue at all with delays. I had them play in their exersaucer or in the pack and play. You can put her favorite toys in there and let her play. Hope that helps.

Simply put: Place her in a playpen. Its what i did with my daugter when i had to do things. place toys in the pen with her or put some baby music on for her to listen to. I also put her into a walker and she was walking by 10 months, and running by 12 months.

Exersaucers are God's both of my children walked at 9 mths. sounds like your little one may be on the same track...trust me let the baby stand and play, it did not delay either of my children's walking!

the exersaucer is Great. we have used one sice like 5 months with our boy, no signs of prolonging walking. ( i have never heard that) or you can try a playpen..works great too.

Have you tried a "pen" - some of them can be constructed to give kids a lot of room to roam!

All the suggestions are great so far, also add a baby bouncer that they sit in. The one we had attached to the doorway. I would also put my daughter in her high chair and roll the chair into the kitchen(it had wheels on it) and she could play with toys on the tray while I did kitchen stuff.

I also would put her on my back in a carrier and she could look over my shoulder while I did some chores. I even raked and bagged leaves that fall. Once she was over 20 lbs. I couldn't do this anymore, but we would put a hat on her and she could be outside with my husband working around the yard.. Watering and planting. Working on the car.

She loved it and the other dads on the block started doing the same thing.

Exersaucers are AWESOME!!! My twins loved theirs and so did I. They were walking at their first bday party. So I don't believe their walking was delayed. Also a playpen might be an option for you. Or do that stuff during nap time or after bedtime...