To feel like I've run out of ideas in lockdown?

[PumpkinLove]

Just posting on here to try and get traffic.

My first baby was born in lockdown and now it looks like we are going into another one. What with restrictions we've not been able to do many if the things I'd hoped to when I was pregnant, such as mum and baby groups, swimming, sensory classes etc etc. All of this was planned mainly for my sanity rather than baby as I doubt he would know the difference.

I look after him 7 days a week by myself in a city flat with no garden, and no car, and although I love being a Mum, I have to be honest and say I'm feeling a bit bored of my days and wondering what I can do to keep things interesting. (Again, more for me than my baby). There are days when it can feel hard, although I try to keep positive and I'm so grateful for my gorgeous healthy baby. Meeting up with people is difficult now in poor weather in Tier 3 and I'm bracing myself for a long winter of being indoors just me and my baby.

Just looking for some imaginative ideas for things to do whilst I'm looking after my baby this winter. This could be activities for us both, or ways of looking after myself. Anything to add something new or different to our routine please! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

So far I do the usual things: playing, singing, reading, baby gym, bathtime etc. For myself aside from all the laundry and chores I feel lucky if I'm able to wash my hair or shower in the day! I watch box sets whilst he's sleeping in the evenings - I'd like to use that time to exercise or read but I'm usually knackered by then and too tired to pick up my novel which I was reading when I was pregnant.

What are other mums doing with their babies in lockdown? Can anyone suggest any new ideas?

Bumping

DENS! I used to build them for DS once he was sitting and we used to cuddle up with blankets/cushions and look at his books together and read stories.

Appreciate he may be a bit small, bit seeing as you’d like to exercise have you looked at cosmic yoga on YouTube? DS (admittedly he’s a year older) thinks the farm one in particular where you sing old MacDonald and do various farm animal poses is hilarious and doubles up with me getting some exercise

Get some of those Emergency foil blankets, lots of babies seem mesmerized by the shininess and crunching sound.
Fill up small water bottles with glitter and water or other sensory stuff for new toys.
Get a few fun bath toys like light up ducks and bubbles and have some long baths together.
Make edible paint with yoghurt and food colouring and let him play on a large plastic sheet
Get some second hand soft play type toys off Facebook like mini sea saw etc

Following! I feel your pain, another lockdown / tier 3 baby here. I’ve bought a baby sensory box from amazon which has been fun for the baby, and joined some online classes.

A cheap machine washable shower curtain is great if you're going to do any type of indoor messy play!

How old is the baby?

a bit the same as did when not in lockdown: put baby in buggy and spend at least a couple of hours walking around outside. It used to involve stopping to grab a coffee on the way. I used to jog when baby was old enough, even with a decent buggy it always felt it was too bouncy to run with a little one.

It doesn't sound like much, but by doing chores first thing, taking care of said baby, getting dressed, been out of at least a couple of hours, a lot of the day had already gone by! And it feels nice to come home, rather than being stuck in it.

Even starting an instagram account where you can post local photos would give you a purpose when outside.

Zoom is also your friend. It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing and help you feeling less isolated. Check your local parent facebook group, they tend to have mines of information.

My little girl is 18 months and walking has saved my sanity. I used to spend mornings cooking and cleaning but after a year of that I said to myself I must be mad doing that. So we go out with a stroller and walk for three-four hours every morning. We go to different parts of our town and different parks, sort of like tourist in my own town.