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Original poster

Where do you put your baby during the day?

60 replies

HelloVeraPlant · 03/04/2025 17:34

Hey, our high chair broke and my 18 month old is getting heavy to carry around on my back. Im wondering if anyone could recommend either a high chair that’s durable and suitable for older babies/fiddlers or recommend products that’s safe to place baby in whilst getting on with house work.

Thanks

OP posts:
Cabbagefamily · 03/04/2025 17:39

A playpen? But why can’t your child just toddle around after you, helping?

FionnulaTheCooler · 03/04/2025 17:40

Travel cot would be a good option if you just need to leave them for a few minutes to go to the loo or something.

DoPenguinsHaveHips · 03/04/2025 17:41

Bouncer (wall style one), playpen, we called ours Guantanamo play, baby wearing, sit baby in the cot for 20 minutes or so with safe toys.

Obviously if you are in a safe room just let them explore

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crumblingschools · 03/04/2025 17:41

Can you toddler proof an area?

Lovegame · 03/04/2025 17:42

They just played on the floor while I chatted to them. I got a robot hoover and washed floors when they were in bed.

Mine children would not have been happy to be stuck in a high chair at that age.

Treeleaf11 · 03/04/2025 17:42

Travel cot. I wouldn't leave an 18 month old alone in a high chair

mindutopia · 03/04/2025 17:51

I just shut the door to the room we were in and plopped them on the floor with toys. Realistically though, most housework got done evenings and weekends with 2 of us at home. I handed the children to Dh when he walked in the door and then had 2 hours or so to get anything done and cook dinner while listening to a podcast. Otherwise, if just me and baby, I’d do stuff after bedtime.

Overthebow · 03/04/2025 17:53

An 18 month old is more of a toddler than a baby, they don’t really need or would want to be carried round the house or put in something, it’d be boring for them. Toddler proof the house and let them toddle about.

LongLiveTheLego · 03/04/2025 17:54

They just follow you , you can’t leave an 18 month old unattended for any length of time. Were you carrying a high chair round the house? Give them a duster and a brush and shovel they will love to “help”

Parker231 · 03/04/2025 17:56

We used a playpen for the DT’s from day one. Kept them safe and gave the dog and cat some peace. As they were full time in nursery from six months, it was mainly used at the weekend. Meals were in their high chairs until they could eat properly sitting at the table.

CozyCoupe · 03/04/2025 17:59

I have a 16 month old. Not a chance I'd leave him in his highchair, he'd try and climb out! He toddles around behind me most of the time or sits and plays with toys in whichever room I'm in, but if I need to put him somewhere safe for a few moments then I'd just put him in his cot with some toys or in the playroom with gate at the door.

Tilda86 · 03/04/2025 18:01

Cabbagefamily · 03/04/2025 17:39

A playpen? But why can’t your child just toddle around after you, helping?

Edited

Because it's not always safe or convenient. I agree with a playpen though.

WonderingWanda · 03/04/2025 18:04

All day in a high chair? Wtf?

At 18 months probably the floor, the car if we were driving somewhere, walking next to me or in a pushchair if we are out on foot, on the floor at a baby group, on the floor at the library, on the floor at friends or family houses. Maybe a short stint in a high chair for a meal.

The wooden ones are pretty sturdy. You need to give your child lots of time out of a high chair to develop physical skills like walking, going up and down stairs (with you helping), going in and out of doors etc. And they need lots if interaction with you to learn how to talk.

Oioisavaloy27 · 03/04/2025 18:19

Why would you even dream of leaving a toddler in a high chair while your cleaning? You either have a play pen of you let your toddler move around the house with you.

Oioisavaloy27 · 03/04/2025 18:20

Tilda86 · 03/04/2025 18:01

Because it's not always safe or convenient. I agree with a playpen though.

Show quote history

Your house should be toddler proof anyway.

TeaAndStrumpets · 03/04/2025 18:29

Generally access to a saucepan cupboard and some wooden spoons will give them something to explore while you get on with things in the kitchen.

northerneast · 03/04/2025 18:37

18 months? They play, surely? You can’t just have them sitting in a chair

uncomfortablydumb60 · 03/04/2025 19:00

Mine would’ve climbed out of the high chair by then and DS1 and 3 their cots too!
Do you mean they’re not walking yet?
if I was doing housework I would give them a cloth so they could help, or open the cupboard and let them get things out.
They shouldn’t be contained for hours in a high chair!

arethereanyleftatall · 03/04/2025 19:09

This is quite a strange question op. 18 month olds just play on the floor, or toddle about behind me ‘helping’.

Jane958 · 03/04/2025 19:49

At 18 months they just skull around the house. If they are amenable you can teach them how to dust ( I did that with my sister's children).

Original poster
HelloVeraPlant · 04/04/2025 22:09

Cabbagefamily · 03/04/2025 17:39

A playpen? But why can’t your child just toddle around after you, helping?

Edited

He does, but it actually gets quite dangerous when I’m cooking - he starts reaching for the cooker, or I might be holding a sharp knife and can’t react quickly enough. So if I’m making a quick sandwhich, he can help and hold stuff - but if it’s a more intense 1 hour in the kitchen and making a proper meal then I’d rather not risk it. I’ve heard of children being burned this way - so think it’s best he can see me or knows where I am but isn’t in a dangerous position.

OP posts:
Original poster
HelloVeraPlant · 04/04/2025 22:11

crumblingschools · 03/04/2025 17:41

Can you toddler proof an area?

The kitchen has been challenging to toddler proof. We’ve done as much as we can but I couldn’t have my back to him whilst he is roaming around (for instance if I’m cooking).

Everywhere else is toddler proof though.

OP posts:
PlanetOtter · 04/04/2025 22:18

I’m surprised you’re ok without a highchair for meals, so in your situation I’d just spend £15 on an ikea one. Not to leave him in for an hour though!

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 04/04/2025 22:21

Please don’t leave your child ina high chair? Get a play pen, travel cot, a kitchen pod so they can stand in it and help you, I had a high chair,,,,back in the day,,,,that turned into a chair and table

Original poster
HelloVeraPlant · 04/04/2025 22:22

There seems to be a lot of confusion 😅 my toddler plays a lot! Isn’t on a high chair all day - but does sit in it for about half an hour or so if I’m making a longer meal - which I do every day - he can be strapped in and normally has a few toys that keeps him occupied. He hates the play pen and just wants to get out. Hates the bouncer and wants to climb out.

He actually helps out when I’m loading the washing, cleaning (quick clean as deep cleans are done when I can leave him with someone else in the house), if I’m making quick food he can help. He naps for such a short time - and usually on me - when I put him down he wakes up pretty quickly so I’m still working on the “nap alone” whilst I get stuff done routine.

But I also have an older child who still has to be fed - so I try to make sure that there is food when they are back from school. Most the meals I make involve cutting up onions, garlic, some veg - sauce etc - so the cooker can be dangerous. And he pulls the handle which is scary,

My partner has had a major operation - and is staying with his family for a while - so whilst recovering it’s just me. So I’m trying to find a way around getting stuff done.

OP posts: