How do you keep your toddler occupied while putting infant down for nap?

[naturalmummy]

Hi Mamas of multiple kiddos! I have a 2.4 year old and a 4 month old and though I think I have adjusted fairly well to juggling the 2 of them, my toughest part of the day is when I need to get 4 month old DD to nap. It seemed so much easier earlier on when she would sleep a lot throughout the day and just nurse or take the paci and conk right out. Now naps are a struggle and it can take me up to 30 mins to get her to calm and put her down to sleep. I either nurse or rock/paci her to sleep. SO, what to do with 2 YO DS while I struggle with her (and it's usually 3-4 times per day since her naps are still short (45 min ish) and she gets tired (fussy, eye rubbing, yawning) about every 2 hours (or less!).

I try to limit TV but will offer him a PBS show while I put her down, but he sometimes isn't interested in that. I worry he will get into mischief/safety issue if I just let him run rampant while I am soothing his baby sis. 

Any tips to keep him safe and busy for a 15-30 min stretch, unsupervised?

[JudiAU]

Usually I do a pick up and start a new toy/project/or mostly a new art project. (We are tv free) LO knows that we read stories and play together and have "us time" as soon as the baby is asleep. If it takes too long we have a "quiet walk" with baby in the sling and LO walking.

[penstamon]

I usually put DS2 (4 mo) down for a nap in the next room over from DS1 (2 yr) who will usually sit and read books by himself or "help" me get DS2 to sleep.  I only lay DS2 down when I know he is truly tired then pat him or rock the co-sleeper that he naps in.  DS1 likes to put a hand on things and "help".   We have been working on being quiet when someone is sleeping, so DS1 generally tones it down now.  DS1 is very high energy but he is adapting well to this and seems to like putting baby down for a nap because then he gets me all to himself. 

[imolivia]

My children are exactly the same age as yours and I've never been worried as I get the older one to watch his favorite DVD for as long as it takes me to send the baby to sleep