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How to entertain toddler

2 replies

Samantha1571 · 13/05/2025 14:55

So, I’ve just had my second baby who is currently 6 days old. My partner has 3 weeks off paternity so he has been taking our 2.5 year old out while I recover from my c section. Unfortunately, my son isn’t attached to me like he was before as he isn’t massively keen that there is a new baby which is normal I know. It’s heartbreaking because he was such a mummy’s boy so I really hope he understands that I love him so much and I really want this recover to hurry up so I can hold him again and give him loads of attention and cuddles. Basically, I’m asking for advice about how to entertain him once my partner is back at work. We have had to take ALOT of his toys away because he has been going through a very long phase of throwing all his toys so any little toys that can hurt the baby, we have had to take upstairs to his room so he has hardly anything to play with. He obviously gets very bored at home so before the baby came, I would take him out to soft play and classes etc but I won’t be able to take him to soft play now as I can’t leave him on his own plus I want to interact with him. I’m going to look into classes near me on the days I now have off as I’m on maternity and I will have to put her in a baby carrier but I am stressed on how to entertain him if there isn’t any decent classes about. He is very delayed for his age so he doesn’t understand a lot and he has only started saying words so it’s not like I can talk to him and he understands. I’m so stressed about how I am going to cope. Hopefully, he will be going to pre school when he turns 3 but because my partner is very over protective of him, we haven’t sent him to nursery which I know would have at least helped me for 2 days in the week and it would be a plus for him as he gets to play all day. Just need help on what I can do with him to keep him happy as he seems so sad at the moment and it breaks my heart 😢

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
HundredPercentUnsure · 13/05/2025 15:18

Congratulations! I have 2.5yr between mine, it's the best age range 😍

Will he sit next to you and play games together? The orchard games are great! Or puzzles?

We read A LOT, especially while I was breastfeeding baby.

I used baby as a prop in play with my eldest. Eldest would lie as a 'bridge' between chair and sofa and I would 'walk' baby along the bridge saying "whose that trip trapping over the bridge?"

Or play with a trainset? I used to plonk baby on the mat and challenge eldest to carefully build the trainset track around them so baby could see. You can show him, doesn't need words.

TV isn't the devil. Especially in those early days. We watched Kids Zumba and other movement videos on YouTube when we couldn't get out to the park as much in those early days.

Whatever you do, involve him. Make sure he feels your touch, even if you can't pick him up for cuddles and snuggles. He wants to reconnect with you, as much as you do with him.

Can you arrange playdates for your son too? Or ask friends if you can go to them for a play date?

It's hard but it does get easier.

Congratulations!

Pinkelephant66 · 13/05/2025 15:28

Do you have a garden? You can put baby in Moses basket outside and let the older one play. water play/ sand can keep them entertained for ages.

play doh can also keep them entertained for a while!I agree that TV isn’t the devil- you gotta do what you gotta do in the newborn stage with feeding and very little sleep.

it does get easier!

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