Toy box for 21 month old

[Haahoooo]

I have DD 21 months and DS 6 weeks. So far I've had family support who have entertained DD while I bf DS, but from later this week I'm on my own!

I've read that it helps to have a special box of toys for the toddler to play with during bf, to keep them entertained for half an hour or so.

Does anyone have any good ideas for what to put in it? It's really hard to predict what will capture DD's attention for more than a couple of minutes!

TIA

Ooh I'm putting one together for my 20 month old as due another baby in 6 weeks. So far it's got a notepad and crayons, two DVDs and a little toy. Going to get a couple of little books too.
How have u been finding it? I remember the first weeks of bfing being very hard and I'm wondering how ill do it with a toddler too!

Some very good ideas Elvis! Crayons will go done very well although my DD may not stick to the notepad.

Finding it both wonderful and exhausting so far. Breastfeeding has definitely been the hardest aspect, struggling anyway (latch issues, thrush) but also DD doesn't like it when I feed her brother. I'm lucky in that she's at nursery some of the time so I have that time to really focus on bf, but unfortunately the evening cluster feeding coincides with nursery pickup and DD bedtime!

Good luck with your new arrival!

My DD was 21 months when DS was born. TBH I just sit on the floor back against a bean bag against the wall, and feed him while she plays. I use my free hand to hold a book and she turns the pages or draw/colour with her. She doesn't care if it's my left hand and looks awful
She doesn't like to be far from me so will always stay in the playroom with me while I feed. We did however rely on peppa and CBeebies in the first few weeks quite a lot!

She's just turned 2 and understands that "mummy is feeding DS" and that means I can't chase her or do too much for a little bit.

That sounds like a really good system squishy! Certainly something I want to work towards.

My main issue with DD currently is that she takes wanting to be close to me to the next level, and will climb on my lap and try to pull DS off! Of course I tell her no but it's so hard for her as she's so used to being the only one!

I'm hoping that a combination of this new toy box and yes, lots of Peppa, will do the trick!!

Another idea would be a little handbag which has (old) stuff of yours in - so old credit cards, keys that do nothing, a little mirror, a few plastic bangles...enough to make her feel she's found something rather important! I also find that the hide n squeak eggs you can buy from amazon etc keep mine (11 & 22 months) entertained for ages. A mirror is always a good option too, my DD loves looking at herself in the mirror and every morning when she gets dressed she dashes off to give a little twirl and declares her outfit for the day to be 'pwetty' (pretty).

Perhaps a few stickers too - if you bought a couple of Peppa pig magazines or similar with stickers they should buy you some time. And if she's into dollies, maybe she can use the time to give her own 'baby' a feed / bath / change of clothes.

Hope this helps! I confess I often used to bung the tv on for a bit as she always wanted to 'help' and DS was a very distracted feeder.

Oh I love the handbag idea. I will put one of those together for her. And magazines will work too!

I tried the box yesterday although it only had a few toys in it and it was a success. I had put little mummy and baby dollies with a little pram in there which she loves. Also a my little pony with a hairbrush.

Thank you for the tips!

my DD was a little older at 27 months when DS was born but whenever I needed to feed him I asked her 'permission' and then told her that after we would do 'xyz.. her favourite puzzle, read a book, painting' and that kept her sweet.. I also played catch with her whilst I was feeding, any ball game kept her occupied and I could do it one handed sitting on the floor whilst I fed DS (who I kept in a sling most of the the first 3 months which reduced his fussing and kept him out of harms way)

another great hit was a homemade set of skittles using plastic milk and pop bottles filled with dried chickpeas and a tennis ball, we decorated them and then that was a feeding time game.

Some excellent ideas. I think it'll be good to have a few distraction options and vary between them.