Playing to Learn: Keep your Toddler out of Trouble while Feeding the Baby

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Keep your Toddler out of Trouble while Feeding the Baby

I was looking back through some of my recent-ish posts on here and realized that there are several activities in a row that I did with the kids while I was breastfeeding the baby. And I mean while I was actually sitting in the chair with the baby latched on. It was nice to have a way to keep the "big" kids busy while I was unable to get up and chase them around. I figured that surely I'm not the only one who has needed to corral an older child or two while wrestling with a nursing newborn. So, I've compiled a list of activities that might be just the thing some desperate new mom needs.

Most of these require little prep and make very little mess. Some may take a little more prep work or mean a few minutes of easy clean-up once you've got the baby settled, but (for me at least) it was worth 2 minutes of vacuuming my floor to have the kids entertained for half an hour. The term "toddler" covers a fairly large age and abilities range, so these may not all work for your kids.

Low Prep, Low Mess
For when you need that toddler occupied NOW and you won't even have 2 minutes for cleanup afterwards.

Pom Pom Play
Hammer Practice
Sensory Grab Bag
Soap Sud Sensory Jar
Color Wheel
Magnetic Exploration Tray
Walk the Line
Pinching Pom Poms
Tunnel Time
Discovering Textures
Mixing Bowl Madness
Basket Pull
Piggy Bank Play
Muffin Pan Sorting
Egg Carton Fun

Low Prep, Some Mess
For when you need that Toddler occupied NOW, but you can handle 2 minutes of easy clean-up in exchange for some great fun.

Cutting Practice
Shoe Sorting
Oatmeal Sensory Bin
Rice Krispie Sensory Bin
Full vs. Empty
Simple Sensory Bin
Piles of Pillows

Some Prep, Low Mess:
When you've thought a few minutes ahead and have time to put together a simple activity. Most can be assembled in less than 15 minutes, some in less than 5. If clean-up is needed it shouldn't take more than 1 minute.