Where do you put your baby during the day?

[HelloVeraPlant]

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

I think there is a reason why seat belts exist. If my baby isn’t happy then I take him out. We have long car journies as my eldest still has to continue with her activities and baby is strapped in. When we sit down for meals as a family, baby sits on his high chair. It’s my second - my first actually happily sat in her bouncer for a good 20-30 mins and I could get so much done with her.

Im guessing a lot of these suggestions are general parenting for babies??

When my baby is well fed, he is very happy sitting on the high chair and has a bunch of bowls and toys to bang and play with.

He spends all day roaming around, following me. Running up and down - 10 to 20 mins of sitting isn’t going to break him - surely!

I don’t live in a massive house, it is baby proof - but whilst I’m frying an egg or making a quick pasta - it’s easier and safer for baby to sit down. or else I’m spending the time removing him from danger whilst the cooking is being done.

Anyway - I’m also assuming it’s different for different cultures and people - we have to do what’s right for ourselves and our families. Some people let babies roam infront of a hot cooker, some people still get the cooking done whilst baby is occupied and out of trouble.

If it's just short term, I'd really recommend buying frozen prechooped veg. It's a bit expensive, but it saves so much time when you can just throw the veg into a hot pan straight away

Also you can get safety locks that keep babies from opening the oven

And make sure all pan handles are turned away so he can't reach them

You can get a hob guard( or used to be able to) and turning the handles the other way but honestly you are overthinking the safety risk. My first DS was into everything and I’d settle him in front of Thomas the tank engine with a drink and a soft biscuit.
If yours still fits in one, get a cheap IKEA Antilop and position so they can watch you.
I’m British 3 sons so it’s nothing to do with culture

We used a stair gate at that age. Across living room. Living room was toddler safe. So if I needed to make a hot tea or something 5 mins without him I would set him up with some toys and close gate on him like a giant living room playpen. I could see him from kitchen.

The stokke Tripp trapp was good. Although Ds could climb out by 2 years so you would only have a few months to lock him in. But I would set him up at table even when no strap age and he would draw/ playdough 10 mins or so.

Generally cooking was across the day and a mixture of him playing and being moved. Ie I might have chopped stuff and make sauce 20mins during nap. Then stuff in oven whilst he played 10 mins. Then stuff stirred, finished whilst he had playdough in high chair. Then 10 mins dish up and clean which he played again. Never 1hr in one go.

Also anything that takes longer to cook, make double and freeze so it’s faster other days

At that age I either made something quick or I prepped and cooked while my child was napping. Even if yours doesn't nap for long it doesn't take long to chop a few bits for a casserole/tray bake/pasta bake. Save big elaborate meals for when your partner is around

If you’re wanting to cook he’s safe on the floor. Childproof the appropriate cabinets you don’t want him in. But leave a drawer he can empty happily. Loads of wooden spoons to bang, nesting plastic bowls etc

I cook dinner the night before enough for all of us and then reheat it the next day for them.

floor or play pen

I‘m a bit confused about the safety aspect. I have a 3 year old and 16 month old and try to cook fresh food most days but I feel like the hob is up way too high for them to ever reach or be an issue (obvs I automatically turn handles well away or I use the back hobs)? It’s not always easy and I have to resolve a lot of arguments 😅 but generally if I get a road mat out or wheely bugs or something or even a toy hoover they tend to just tear around downstairs with that while I cook rather than be at my feet. The prep is the long part but something like a chilli or spag bol tends to cook itself once you’ve done all the chopping!

edit to add: my 16 month old is also a contact napper so he’s had to get used to me doing everything while he’s awake!