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Original poster

Where to put baby during the day

60 replies

scg18 · 01/09/2021 10:18

Please help, I am first time mum and struggling with anxiety after a difficult pregnancy and I feel so unsure about myself.

DH goes back to work next week after 4 weeks off with me and the baby. I am struggling to understand what I do with the baby through the day, where I put him if I want to go to the toilet or try and do some things in the kitchen etc. I'm not planning on putting the baby down all day but I also can't carry the Moses basket downstairs every morning because I can't carry that and the baby. There are so many options of things like the dock-a-tot or bouncer or playmat or pram or a second Moses basket and I just feel totally overwhelmed and confused about what is safe/practical.

With my anxiety I like to have a plan, I know you can't have structure with a 4 week old but a plan of where I put him down for various situations would help me.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and advice about what you all do/did with your baby through the day. I know it probably seems basic knowledge to have so it's probably a silly question but I'm grateful for any help and advice.

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Donutsrock · 01/09/2021 10:22

Swing was always the go to for me, we had a joie one that rocked and vibrated, played music etc- kept them napping for longer so I could get more done. I also used a close caboo sling a lot for when they just wouldn’t be put down.

shesellsseacats · 01/09/2021 10:24

It's been a while since mine were little so I can't remember what age you can start using one, but a bouncer chair was invaluable for when I wanted to do something like have a shower or do the washing up.

A playmat was great too. As well as somewhere to put them, they're great for doing tummy time when they're a bit older. And good to take with you if you're visiting friends. So I'd say get both.

I also found a sling really useful, have you considered these?

If you can afford it, I'd say to get all 3 of these, they serve different (albeit overlapping) purposes.

Shapesorted · 01/09/2021 10:24

He'll be safe on the floor whilst you pop upstairs if all else fails.

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FolkyFoxFace · 01/09/2021 10:25

Babywearing. Dock a tots and those pod things are unsafe. We did have a chair rocker, but DS hated his. In the fourth trimester they want to be close. Babywearing was incredible, we don't even use a pram now!

HangingChads · 01/09/2021 10:27

I used to put DC in a bouncy chair or on the floor on a blanket in the lounge, and if I was in the kitchen, I would just carry her in in her bouncy chair, or leave her on the floor of the lounge while I carry the chair in, then go back for her. To go to the loo or shower, I'd put her on a blanket on the bathroom floor.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 01/09/2021 10:29

I always put ds on the floor or a sturdy equivalent of a bouncy chair. I'd have used the Moses basket if he'd slept in it but he didn't like it. It's perfectly ok just to put the baby down to nip to the loo, baby wearing is great but doesn't work for every one.

Brieeeeeeeeeeee · 01/09/2021 10:31

On the floor on a blanket if I was staying in sight, or bouncy chair. Or sling, but like pps say it is absolutely fine to put them down. I never had a Moses basket.

JennaPenna · 01/09/2021 10:32

Safest place will be the floor whilst you pop to the toilet make a cuppa etc
Totally fine to place on the floor and go up and get the Moses basket.

Rainbow0821 · 01/09/2021 10:35

Im getting a Graco Contour Electra travel cot with raised bassinet. Can be used until 3 years old with raised bassinet removed. Could also be used as a playpen for toddler.

Wagglerock · 01/09/2021 10:36

The floor? On a carpet, rug or playmat obviously (not a hard floor). He can't move yet. Make the most of it.

I moved the basket round during the day for naps and had the bouncer in the kitchen so I could get on with making food or doing the dishes while he was lying there. The buggy was usually in the hall so I'd pop him in that sometimes if I needed to answer the door or nip to the bathroom.

Cluelessgardener · 01/09/2021 10:36

Sling/ bouncy chair (when a little older), car seat (my friend kept hers near the bathroom so she could put baby in there when she needed to use the loo), sleepyhead, Moses basket. Basically get something in every room :) it gets easier, I look back now and I was very similar to you

yikesanotherbooboo · 01/09/2021 10:39

The floor is safe. Are you planning to have the baby nap in their pram? If so that is an alternative. If you have pets I would start with a playpen . I used a sling with my middle DC but the others just went on the floor , bouncy chair or pram ( depending on situation) .

allofthecheese · 01/09/2021 10:40

Definitely just the floor on a play mat or just a rug. I did use a dock a tot type thing too which he slept great in but that was personal preference. Mine didn't use the bouncer much but that's also an option. You'll be fine

coles85 · 01/09/2021 10:54

I had lots of options around the house and it worked well. I had a comfy beanbag chair with a harness that DC got buckled into while I showered or went to the loo - that lived in the bathroom and was suitable from newborn until they were big enough to get out of it at around a year.

I had a sleepyhead that lay on the dining room table and they got popped in there if I was in the kitchen or pottering about.

We had a playmat on the floor in the lounge and, as they got older, had a baby bouncer in the door frame and one of those sit in baby walkers.

Don't stress, you'll figure it out! And there's always the option of popping them in their cot if you need a quick pee! Even if they cry, it's only a few minutes so don't worry!

We've got DC2 on the way next year and I'm now thinking how do I do all this PLUS contain a toddler 😂

Congrats on the new baby!

PlanDeRaccordement · 01/09/2021 10:59

Well,
In toilet or taking a shower, I’d lay them on the floor in the bathroom with me. This works until they can crawl.

Bouncey chair or sling for getting housework done. I’d do this so I could nap when they napped. This only worked for DC#1 as when you have more than one DC the days of napping when baby naps are over. It becomes time you can spend with older DC so they don’t get jealous of baby.

In the day, you can also get a baby carrier like baby Bjorn and go for walks alongs footpaths....it’s nice to not have to worry about whether the path will take a push chair or buggy if you are using a baby carrier.

Angel2702 · 01/09/2021 10:59

We had a play mat and bouncer chair but mine mostly lived in their baby sling for the first few months.

Original poster

scg18 · 01/09/2021 11:03

Thank you so much, it sounds like a bouncer is key and I will definitely look at slings as well. I hadn't even thought about the floor but that makes a lot of sense and I will have the pram handy downstairs so can use that too. Different options in different rooms sounds like a good plan and will help

Thank you all for your kind replies

OP posts:

Drbrowns · 01/09/2021 11:07

Bouncers are great. Also play mats. If you have a dog, get a play pen and then out the bouncer or mat in the playpen if you need to shower or go to the toilet, also works to keep baby safe from toddler sibling

whatswithtodaytoday · 01/09/2021 11:08

Mine was usually in the pram carrycot, he was happy and safe in there. I would pop upstairs or into the garden and leave him quite happily (though I too had post-natal anxiety and could only really leave him for 2-3 minutes at first).

We also had a Baby Bjorn bouncer, which was great when he was old enough to hold his head up. If I had another I would get an electric bouncer/swing that rocks them for you, my friend had one and my son loved it! Also the playmat once he was a bit bigger and more interested in the world.

If you need to go to the loo and he's crying, the bath mat will be fine. My friend gave me the best advice - he can't roll off the floor.

Boatonthehorizon · 01/09/2021 11:10

In bed with me.
Carried downstairs - not in Moses basket. I wouldnt carry baby downstairs in Moses basket.
Into pram or on sofa with me. If in kitchen then used to be in click and travel carseat but now sling or flat pram?
I went out to baby groups every day and would highly recommend them. 10am to 12noon.
Home for lunch. Then baby nap in afternoon.

Chelyanne · 01/09/2021 11:11

Travel cot and bouncer chair.
Our newborn goes in the travel cot downstairs if sleeping, will go in the bouncer for short stints and is cuddled a lot too. The travel cot has been great for all 6 kids until they are able to climb out of it, allows me to get stuff done knowing they are in a safe place. Current one has a fold away changing top and bassinet level which have been great as I had a cesarean, also got a mobile and nappy storage on it.
I pop her in the cot-bed in our room if I go in the shower or doing jobs upstairs for a long time.

Seeline · 01/09/2021 11:12

I had the cot set up in the nursery and the moses basket in our room at night time. During the day I took the moses basket downstairs for naps. I could use the cot to pop the baby in whilst going to the loo or having a quick shower. Mobile over the cot kept them happy for a few minutes.

If they were awake, downstairs I used the bouncy chair a lot. Play mat on the floor with a baby gym over again kept them occupied for a few minutes.

Once mobile, a play pen was invaluable ( a travel cot can work well if space is an issue).

Chelyanne · 01/09/2021 11:14

Oh and we have a dog so a playmat on floor unattended is a big no no for us.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 01/09/2021 11:15

There are so many 'must haves' and 'must dos' in modern day Western parenting that we can feel that if we don't have things then we aren't doing it properly. Remember that babies have been cared for for thousands of years without bouncers, swings etc. Don't let your anxiety feed into making you spend unnecessary money.

A travel cot will probably be the item with the longest life span and can be used well into toddler hood. Bouncers can't always be used from birth so check that before you buy one.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 01/09/2021 11:20

I agree, a travel cot will be really useful especially when they're mobile and you need to pop to the door/ loo.

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