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AIBU?

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How do you get ANYTHING done with a crawling baby?

82 replies

Pinkstuffs · 21/11/2024 19:13

DS is 6 months old and has been crawling a couple of weeks ago. He is into EVERYTHING, he has lots of toys but ignores them all in favour of anything he sees that might be dangerous - doors, fireplaces, furniture, cables etc - so obviously needs constant supervision. He has a playpen but won’t tolerate it long, especially once he realises he can’t get out.

How do you get anything done? Before he could crawl I would put him on a playmat in whichever room I happened to be in and could clean etc as he’s quite an independent little guy and will happily play by himself. But now I obviously can’t do that unless each room is baby proofed which is difficult and even then, just when I think it’s safe he spots something I’ve missed!

So what do you do? Am I missing something obvious? Once he’s in bed I’m shattered and still have to wash bottles etc. He’s up at 6 so can’t get up any earlier to do jobs.

OP posts:
MummyJ36 · 21/11/2024 19:20

It’s annoying! We gave in with DC2 and bought an (admittedly gigantic) playpen so I could pop them in there when I needed the loo / wanted to make a cup of tea / take 15 minutes to get my sanity back! DC2 definitely tolerated it for a solid 6 months, it had toys and books and they enjoyed the “freedom” of moving around as they wished. After 6 months they cottoned on that they were being corralled and started to object!

Imisscoffee2021 · 21/11/2024 19:19

You don't until they're old enough for a toddler tower then they watch you sort the kitchen out happily while playing with tongs and apples. At that age they're toddling about so can follow you and "help" as you clean, u less like my child they suddenly decide that their previous favourite Henry hoover is now the devil itself and scream when it's on. My sons 15 months and its been great being able to sort stuff during the day and not spend all evening doing it as I spent the day watching a crawling oaf get into mischief 😆

Pinkstuffs · 21/11/2024 19:18

@Mrsttcno1 i remember you from the due in April thread! Pleased to see we’re in the same boat. How have you babyproofed things like plugs? He LOVES cables, he can spot them a mile off. In the living room I’ve had to block them with cushions but that’s kind of temporary.

OP posts:
Didimum · 21/11/2024 19:17

‘Box of shit’ or, better, a few ‘boxes of shit’. Dot boxes of age-appropriate things around the room he can dig around in and explore. Hairbrushes, a whisk, a spatula, a ball of wool – anything safe, interesting but is not a toy.

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 21/11/2024 19:16

You don't 😂
Do nothing and...............wait!

Mrsttcno1 · 21/11/2024 19:15

My daughter is exactly the same and I’ve basically just had to baby proof the whole house😂 it was a hassle but I’m now as confident as I can be that the rooms she is in are baby proofed!

roastiepotato · 21/11/2024 19:14

You don't it's really annoying