Up until now, DD (almost 6 months) has been napping in her swing and playing in her Leap Frog bouncer (with hanging toys that you can set to interact or just play music as long as DD is playing with them). She hates tummy time but we will put her on her tummy or her back on the floor to play sometimes anyway. My house has gone to the pits, the laundry has been piling up, we have been eating fast food/take out for just about the last 6 months, etc. and I just need to be able to have DD play on her own for short periods of time so I can at least make something quick for dinner (I only get to make dinner on the rare occasions that DH doesn't work late and can watch DD for a little while). She is too long to be comfortable in the bouncer anymore and isn't napping well in the swing anymore either (see other thread on napping), so I have even less time to do the critical things that need to get done.

What activity things do you have for your baby to play in so you can get a few things done? I have a carrier, but I can't cook with DD in there next to the stove. I don't have an exersaucer, are those helpful?

DS is 4 months and when he is awake I move him from toy to toy as soon as he is tired of one. I do have to stop a few mintues to move him but I go right back to what I was doing. He is in the exersaucer, alot. And it is very helpful to me. Also he is in the jonnhy jump-up thing. The jumper that hangs from a door frame. We also have the Leap Frog seat and he is in that. He hates being on the ground too but we have one of those activity things that has a mat they lay on and toys over top. He will lay on the ground and play with that, he loves it. But I just move him every time he starts to complain and he is happy again until nap time.

My son (7 months) is the same way. The only thing he likes is me carrying him around. 90% of the time if he isn't eating or sleeping and I'm not holding him he is fussing. He loves to go places and be around other people but if we are at home and I am trying to get something done he fusses the whole time. He has a Jumparoo which he loves as long as I am standing in front of him and jumping up and down with him. I mean it seems to me he is spoiled but I let him fuss, it sounds horrible to say, but all the time because otherwise I wouldn't get anything done but his behaviour doesn't change. We just call him our High Needs Baby.

I swear by the exersaucers!! They always bought me lots of time with both kids. DD (7 months) also loves feeding herself these days. So I'll put her in the highchair with a bunch of cheerios or gerber poofs and let her spend the next 10 minutes trying to pick them up. Plus its good co-ordination and pinching skills. She also loves that Zweiback toast. 1 piece of that will keep her busy and happy for 15 minutes no matter what she's in. I have also put both kids on a backpack carrier to get stuff done. They like the view and they are safely behind you.

DD pitches a fit when I walk more than 2 feet away when she is in her swing or anywhere. I can't do ANYTHING. She is also teething this week, which is a pain in the neck because she's been crabby. She's normally a good baby, but she wants me there all the time and I can't do anything. DH doesn't understand why I can't have the whole house clean, the laundry done and dinner cooking when he is at work. I also have zero energy which is half the battle, but the energy I do have is spent sitting next to the swing while DD is falling asleep for her nap or sitting next to the bouncer while she is playing, etc. I can't walk more than 2 feet away from her. I know she didn't hurt herself 2 seconds after I take a step but she screams at the top of her lungs until I come back, even if it's 5 minutes later (I admit sometimes I just let her cry, which drains even more of the energy I don't have). I can only get stuff done when she takes a nap and she naps in her swing in the living room of our very tiny house, so I can't vacuum or do anything anyway. Sorry to complain, I'm just at my wits end today with the screaming, she's teething and I have the worst headache. I'm in tears and am taking her to my mom's in an hour so I can just have a minute to myself. DH HATES it when she goes to grandma's and looks at it like I'm a bad mom when I take her to grandma's once a week so I can run errands.

Don't feel bad... you sound EXACTLY like ME. I thought I was the only one on this earth who was going through this problem... lol. My dd screams also, when I leave her side to try and get things done. I thought it was just because I am home all day with her and I nurse her still. She's sooooo attached to me, it's not funny. When her dad comes home, the house is a mess and I'm sitting with her, trying to keep her occupied. I'm lucky if I get to take a shower or cook dinner (I can TOTALLY relate to the fast food thing.. I've gained tons of weight from that).

What I do when I just have to get something done is: put her toys or some books in a basket with her on the floor and let her just get out whatever she wants. She'll play contently for about 15 or 20 minutes, long enough to do small jobs. If your baby doesn't sit yet, prop her up with a few pillows and give her chewy toys, a musical toy, or whatever will hold her interest for a few minutes. The last resort for me is to put her in front of the TV during "Playhouse Disney" on the Disney Channel. She likes the shows that have music, like the "Wiggles". She also enjoys Sesame Street, especially Elmo. A lot of moms are anti-television, so if TV isn't an option for you, keep trying different activities until you find what works best. And bask in the quiet of naptime. Let the housework wait while you take some time for yourself.