Child containment? - Page 2

[Drummer's Wife]

You've already got some good ideas, but I just have to mention that cooking dinner with a non-mobile infant is tons easier than with a toddler. I know, not helpful - but I just miss those days!

[texmati]

Ours is 6 months, and I just discovered this awesomeness--

I put him in the baby bath tub (dry) in the bathroom. It saved us from having to buy another papasan chair, and I can just put toys in the bottom of it and he plays in there.

I felt like such a genius after figuring this out... 3 months after it would have been useful!

[dislocator3972]

I agree, a baby on the floor while cooking sounds like a terrible idea. Maybe our kids are just crazy, or maybe we're messy cooks.

I bring her high chair into the kitchen and keep a stash of stuff in the freezer. The colder it is, the more she enjoys the toy/washcloth/whatever. Plus, she has an assortment of wooden spoons/plastic cups/other noise making instruments that she can bang on the high chair. As long as I'm singing (at the top of my lungs) she could stay in that high chair forever. I keep it over near the sink/wall where she's away from the stove and my cutting space. I dislike that my back is to her, but it's better than her ending up under my feet.

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by no5no5

I guess I'm just getting more confused here. Do you not buckle him into his stroller or is he a crazy escape artist? How can your bathroom floor not be big enough for a baby? I understand that you might think it's not clean enough...but it only takes 5 minutes to clean the floor. Or you could put him on a towel. As for cooking, I never had any problems. DD had her own pots & spoons, and she explored the cabinets. I had to look down before I took a step, but I never considered that to be a major hardship. It's not like she could reach up and grab a pot handle. And it's not like I'm constantly spilling hot food or dropping knives on the floor.

I often put my 7mo DD on the floor while I'm cooking. I will open a drawer or cabinet and let her stand there (she loves to stand) and explore. The kitchen is a fascinating place for a baby, it's full of spoons, tuperware, and pots!

I also use a high chair, a jumperoo or her activity table to occupy her while I'm cooking.

[syd'smom]

I put ds on my back in a high back carry and cook away! He loves watching the kitchen aid whirl around!

[claddaghmom]

Well DD absolutely loved the stationary exersaucer at Grandma's house but it wasn't a child containment device.

DD would just come into the bathroom with me. At that young of an age, you can put him in the tub with some toys. But DD and I did EC so I thought it was important to bring her with my to the bathroom. She had her own potty and I offered before going myself to make sure we didn't have conflicting needs.

The kitchen is a bit more tricky if they aren't sitting up and crawling yet. In your case, I would put down a big blanket, lots of toys and keep it in eyesight from the kitchen. He can have some tummy time while you cook. As they gain exploration skills, they can easily come into the kitchen and play with measuring cups, rice, pots and pans, etc. I also scored some Leapfrog fridge toys for free after coupon deals around Christmas time so DD has lots of fun with the ABC dog and the carwash game.

Nowadays though, she prefers to sit on the counter and help me prepare food. It's a ton of fun and I can't wait until she is older and can do even more.

Be sure to start buckling him in now that he is more active!

[MaddieMay]

If I'm in the kitchen prepping food, he plays on the floor with whatever I throw him (bowls, spoons, etc.). If I have the stove on, he goes in the high chair with toys or a snack.

If I'm vacuuming or picking up dog poop outside, he goes in his jumperoo.

If I need to get ready after he's gotten up for the day, he plays in the bathroom but never when the curling iron is on.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by no5no5

I guess I'm just getting more confused here. Do you not buckle him into his stroller or is he a crazy escape artist? How can your bathroom floor not be big enough for a baby? And it's not like I'm constantly spilling hot food or dropping knives on the floor.

He does not tolerate being restrained while still. If I strap him into the stroller, the stroller must be moving. Even in the mai tei, I have to be moving. He doesn't even tolerate the straps in his high chair.

Well, I think we have one of the smallest bathrooms I've ever seen. When I'm on the toilet, I just have inches between my knees and the sink. The door opens into the bathtub, etc. There really is NOT room.

Originally Posted by dislocator3972

I agree, a baby on the floor while cooking sounds like a terrible idea. Maybe our kids are just crazy, or maybe we're messy cooks.

Or maybe a little bit of each. I am an imminent klutz though, and would fear for both myself and my child with him on the floor. Besides, he's not sitting yet, he's lying and rolling, which is just not safe under foot. And our kitchen is pretty darn small, so he'd be in the middle of the floor in 2 seconds flat.

Originally Posted by dislocator3972

I bring her high chair into the kitchen and keep a stash of stuff in the freezer. The colder it is, the more she enjoys the toy/washcloth/whatever. Plus, she has an assortment of wooden spoons/plastic cups/other noise making instruments that she can bang on the high chair. As long as I'm singing (at the top of my lungs) she could stay in that high chair forever. I keep it over near the sink/wall where she's away from the stove and my cutting space. I dislike that my back is to her, but it's better than her ending up under my feet.

I'll try the high chair trick. So far he doesn't really care for it - the tray is still a little high for him, but I have plenty of things he could bang on the tray.

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

The kitchen is a bit more tricky if they aren't sitting up and crawling yet. In your case, I would put down a big blanket, lots of toys and keep it in eyesight from the kitchen.

Unfortunately, in order for me to see him from the kitchen, he has to be IN the kitchen. THe layout of our house is pretty isolationist.