Where to put baby during the day

[scg18]

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.

Mine did not really allow me to ‘put’ her anywhere at that age (or still now to be fair!)

I used a sling as much as possible. We had a next to me type crib upstairs and a Moses basket downstairs - not that she used either much as would scream as soon as put down, but the Moses basket was at least safe if I really needed to run to the loo or something. I also had a play gym/ mat that I’d lie her on on the floor - perfectly safe until she could roll. We did have a bouncy chair thing but she hated that until she was about 4 months, then it was great for a bit but I wouldn’t ever leave her in it unsupervised.

In the bathroom I had an angel care bath seat - I never actually used it in the bath much (we also had a shnuggle - both were passed on from friends) but it was really handy to just pop her in it so I could brush my teeth or have a poo or jump in the shower and still watch her.

Completely recommend getting a simple bouncy chair, one with a removable head support so it works now and when your baby gets a bit bigger. Though i didn't have space for one of those when my eldest was tiny so used her car seat as a downstairs chair, and her pram as a downstairs moses basket.

And please don't worry. You'll be fine, and there really are no stupid questions. Things are not always obvious, especially the first time around. Ask rather than worry x

A mat. Preferably with a squishy texture so it’s comfortable. We had one from Totter and Tumble. You can put one of those baby gym things on it so your baby has something to play with as well. Lying on the floor is really really good for their long term development!

I had her in the bassinet attachment of the pram, so I could wheel her about the house with me if I went to different rooms but didn't need to carry her. However, this may not be practical for everyone - we have a lot of space downstairs so the pram (despite being large) didn't get in the way unnecessarily. Also, I mostly carried her around

Congratulations!

Mine was in a Moses basket for the first 10 weeks. I had one basket but a stand downstairs and a rocking stand next to my bed so I didnt have the struggle of carrying everything. Then I had a baby gym mat and a bouncer. Both were good for us. Also had a sling for walking.

I would happily leave him in whichever while I showered/made a cup of tea etc. If you are worried about leaving the Moses basket on the stand (as they get older), just pop it onto the floor for 10 mins.

Good luck.

Sleepyhead or similar
Sling on your back is game changer as you can cook safely
Play mat or play tent - I got one for 2 quid off eBay
Basket, bassinet from your pram if you have one
Bouncy chair

Oh also I got a sort of disco lamp for babies that they can look at overhead. He loved that at that age. Last thing, they’re easily over stimulated so don’t feel like you have to do loads of stuff at that age, just soft blankets and your presence and lots of naps and feeds and keep in your line of sight/on your body.

Baby mat on the floor if you’re popping to the loo, sling if you need to be doing things and the baby wants/needs to be close. Or a reclinable baby chair with a strap if you want to have them near you and just chat to them while you do things. It seems scary but you’ll find a way!