Entertaining a Toddler while Nursing
When I was pregnant with Gemma I read time and time again that mothers of two recommended preparing a "nursing basket" with toys for the older child to play with only when the baby nurses. Rarely did I see any ideas for what types of toys to use. It was hard for me to come up with ideas for toys that would be novel enough to dependably capture Jacob's attention while not requiring any intervention from me.
I typed up this list for Tara and then realized that there are a few other expectant mamas who might find it useful information. Obviously, you have to tailor it to the child's age (Jacob was 17 months) but at least it might provide a jumping off point for those with older/younger kids. Nursing is also a great opportunity for the older child to get to use toys that have smaller pieces and might be off limits when the baby isn't occupied.
A Viewmaster, extra reels and a case for the reels:
My First Story Reader (or a Leap Pad):
Water Wow Doodle Book - they are reusable paint with water books!
Colorforms
Felt activity board sets
Twistables Crayons (won't break) with a little pad
Sticker book and stickers
No spill bubble tumbler (they really don't spill so safe for the house)
Mr Potato Head (as long as you are ok with small pieces)
Tea Set (something you can still play with while nursing)
"Special" play sets- Calico Critters, My little ponies, littlest pet shop, FP little people, etc.
Plastic Easter Eggs with different little toys or stickers in them
Jacob loves to put things in Empty Wipes Containers and pull them out again, entertains him for a long time!
Books- This one is great- Jacob turns the ages and I ask him to find things on the page
Window Clings- We have all the Suzy's Zoo ones
Scavenger Hunt- get different colored bags or buckets, ask Caelin to run around the hose and fill them with items that are the same color
Ideas for using your "Nursing Basket"
I'd get as many items as you can and keep them in a box away from wandering hands and change them out often, having only 2-3 activities available at any time. I only really needed to do that for a short time before Jacob was ok with entertaining himself with whatever when I had to feed Gemma. It still helps to have stuff tucked away though for those uninspired days or challenging days.
For a girl I think it can be fun to put stuff in a purse and have that be her "basket."
Another thing to be aware of while nursing is that the older one *knows* it's an opportunity to get into trouble. For the first week or so if Jacob pushed the limits I made sure he knew that it didn't matter if I was nursing he still had to listen. So I'd unlatch her and go after him- or in same cases be awkwardly carrying a toddler under one arm while nursing an infant. It didn't take long for him to stop trying!
I typed up this list for Tara and then realized that there are a few other expectant mamas who might find it useful information. Obviously, you have to tailor it to the child's age (Jacob was 17 months) but at least it might provide a jumping off point for those with older/younger kids. Nursing is also a great opportunity for the older child to get to use toys that have smaller pieces and might be off limits when the baby isn't occupied.
A Viewmaster, extra reels and a case for the reels:
My First Story Reader (or a Leap Pad):
Water Wow Doodle Book - they are reusable paint with water books!
Colorforms
Felt activity board sets
Twistables Crayons (won't break) with a little pad
Sticker book and stickers
No spill bubble tumbler (they really don't spill so safe for the house)
Mr Potato Head (as long as you are ok with small pieces)
Tea Set (something you can still play with while nursing)
"Special" play sets- Calico Critters, My little ponies, littlest pet shop, FP little people, etc.
Plastic Easter Eggs with different little toys or stickers in them
Jacob loves to put things in Empty Wipes Containers and pull them out again, entertains him for a long time!
Books- This one is great- Jacob turns the ages and I ask him to find things on the page
Window Clings- We have all the Suzy's Zoo ones
Scavenger Hunt- get different colored bags or buckets, ask Caelin to run around the hose and fill them with items that are the same color
Ideas for using your "Nursing Basket"
I'd get as many items as you can and keep them in a box away from wandering hands and change them out often, having only 2-3 activities available at any time. I only really needed to do that for a short time before Jacob was ok with entertaining himself with whatever when I had to feed Gemma. It still helps to have stuff tucked away though for those uninspired days or challenging days.
For a girl I think it can be fun to put stuff in a purse and have that be her "basket."
Another thing to be aware of while nursing is that the older one *knows* it's an opportunity to get into trouble. For the first week or so if Jacob pushed the limits I made sure he knew that it didn't matter if I was nursing he still had to listen. So I'd unlatch her and go after him- or in same cases be awkwardly carrying a toddler under one arm while nursing an infant. It didn't take long for him to stop trying!