Baby screaming, kids starving what do you do?

[morphlerana]

So my 6 month old is teething, not well and won't stop screaming, he's tired, and wants to contact nap. When I try put him down, screaming starts.

My 6 yr old and 3 year old are hungry I need to prepare dinner. Do I let him scream?? I had to for 5 minutes while I made the 3 year old lunch today and had the neighbours asking if everything is okay because of the screaming
But what realistically do I do.

I think this is the appropriate time for an oven dinner. Chuck on the baking tray into the oven 25 mins later you have dinner. Add beans, peas and sweetcorn for veg.

You can put him in a sling to nap while you make dinner etc.

Can the 6 year old sit and hold the baby?

I used a sling for the baby when in a similar scenario. The one I used the baby could go on your back at 6 months.

Presuming he won't nap in a sling, mine never did, then yes it won't hurt him for 5 minutes to be left to cry whilst you sort out some food bung it in the oven and then again when you get it out in 20 minutes. Yes it's not fun on anyone's ears but your other two kids need to eat*.

*I'd also do yourself some food at the same time and eat it it sounds like you're in for a long evening.

Oh god yes, I had a screamer. Had to cook with them in a sling. Amazing I didn't cover them in boiling oil.

This is what older siblings are for. Can the 6 year old hold him, sitting down while you put something frozen in the oven?

Try a sling for baby, or can 6 year old hold baby whilst you cook?

Im afraid you have 3 children, 2 are hungry and you also must eat -so you have to let baby cry and prepare food.
im hoping the neighbour was being kind in checking in on you but if not then you just need to accept they are nosey and get in with it.
it might help if you swaddle the poorly baby with the cardigan/jumper or tshirt you wore yesterday so they can smell your scent and feel ‘safe’ swaddled - or maybe put them in the car seat on the worktop to watch you prepare dinner.
failing that, they’ve just got to cry !!
BuT
try and buy some lovely oven meals if you can - so you can just put them in the oven and let them cook without prep !!

good luck xx

sometimes it helps to stop thinking of it as screaming. he is shouting or yelling. He can shout or yell for a bit while you cook, that is fine

I remember this so well!
My elder one did hold the baby sometimes; other times he wasn't having any. And he was far too angry and wriggly for the sling when things were like that, let alone trying to cook as well.
I often had batch cooked stuff or frozen stuff in the freezer, to sling into the oven, but when I didn't, the elder one could butter bread and have some salad bits with ham, or even peanut butter, just to assuage the hunger.

https://www.cookfood.net/menu/meal-boxes/new-parents

You order a takeaway!

Make the kids snacks or sandwiches, ding rice with chopped up ham and cucumber, toast. Keep it simple.

This is the hardest part when they are so little op. Oven dinner. I used to spend one night on the weekend prepping easy meals because my baby was so clingy. A sling did not work for us and I struggled too. It does get easier. Can't believe neighbours are asking after 5 min!

Both my babies lived in slings pretty much for the first year of their lives when I wasn't able to sit on the floor next to them.
Baby wants contact, I had to take the oldest to school, walk dogs, do laundry, get shit done, cook etc.
Sling all the way. And keep giving calpol and neurofen as often as you're allowed.
This too shall pass.

Lay baby in pram or cot where they will be safe - 10 mins won't hurt whilst you cook tea for the older children

Buy some quick options for days like today. Microwave rice, fresh stuffed pasta and sauce, or gnocchi. Fish fingers. Frozen peas. Eggs.

Does baby have high chair now? Can you put near you in kitchen with some toys and snacks/ banana for baby. So he can watch you. If he screams, you know he’s safe and can see you whilst you handle hot stuff 5-10 mins.

If you have time when partner is home, either him or you prep some family size meals for freezer ie lasagna x3

Well you need to feed the kids so he’ll just need to scream a bit while you bung some stuff in the oven

Stick baby in high chair, get siblings to poke their heads around the door and shout boo! at them and do silly dances. Make cheese on toast / scrambled egg / other similar very quick food. Sometimes older kids are worth their weight in gold.

I have nothing against letting baby cry if need be, but in this situation the sling is a much better option. Should help baby fall sleep too

You prioritize your older kids dinner

I use to do sling naps with youngest, living me hand free to sort the eldest. Alternatively, as a one off you could put them all in the car, drive until baby falls asleep, then take the older ones to McDonald's drive through.

You either put him down and sort dinner or phone for a takeaway.

I wouldn't bother cooking from scratch just do a freezer dinner or sandwiches and soup etc or something on toast just do whatever you've got to do, can always add fruit or carrot sticks etc to make it healthier