No time to myself at all! - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Denise98 · 06-19-2006, 05:42 PM

Does anyone else feel completly hopeless I knew my life was going to change drastically but I cant do anything anymore my DD has to be held at all times she hates to be put down and my DH is an over the road truck driver so I get very little help from him I can barely have time to go to the bathroom shes 3 mos does anyone have any suggestions on how to get her to like her swing or bouncy seat or just lie queitly for a few minutes?

OrangeCouture · 06-19-2006, 08:48 PM

My daughter was born on April 4th, so our babies are about the same age. Recently I have noticed that she will entertain herself for 10-15 minutes. I put her in her bouncer, on the floor with an activity gym above her that sings and it usually keeps her busy. Overall I am fortunate that she is a good baby. I can identify with you about not having time.....that is partially why we are only having one kid.....seriously. It always seems like when I feel the need to clean the house or do some yardwork is when Alexa wants to be entertained by me. The best thing to do is to find some toys for her that will entertain her for a while. The activity gyms and bouncers with toys work the best at this age. Let me know how it goes!

skeetersquirt · 06-19-2006, 08:59 PM

I know how you feel! I just went on a venting rage about this about a month ago. This is also why we are only having one..(hubby getting fixed in a month). It is VERY hard to find time to ourself. I have found that DS, 3 months old, will only entertain himself for 15-20 minutes. To be honest, I found that I will not have any time to myself until after DS goes to bed. I stay up until about 1AM...I clean the house, do my nails, get a long, hot shower, what ever. It is the BEST time for me.

You may want to try and put her in front of the t.V and play a DVD. My DS is only 3 months, but he LOVES the Baby Einstein videos. He can stare at the T.V for quite a while. I have just resigned myself to the fact that right now DS is VERY needy and after about 3-4 months I will be missing that so it does not bother me too much

(They grow TOO fast for me!)

Gayle0000 · 06-19-2006, 10:09 PM

I hear you!!! I totally felt the way you feel!

I agree with Skeetersquirt about tv/dvd's. It was at about 3 months where I thought DD might be ready for more entertainment than just me. I was so exhausted & started wondering if DD was just starting to get bored with the basic rattles and stupid songs I was singing.

I got one of those floormat mobile things, and that's also when I introduced DD to the tv. OMG. My life changed. Finally some other kind of stimulation so I could get a break.

It does get better as they get older. They get more coordinated with their toys and can entertain themselves a lot better. I recall 4 months old was an especially big turning point. Hang in there!

weepyone · 06-20-2006, 12:20 AM

it is probably a three month thing for us moms ds is 15 weeks and last week i had a real hard time with ds and felt quite low myself at how much life has changed. regarding entertaining your little one, ds has lay under his play gym since he was about a month old he is now able to lie under it hitting the hanging toys and rattles and laughs to himself i have no idea what it is about it that makes him laugh but it is cute he can lie there happpily for up to 20 minutes or so. i also have a door bouncer he has been using for about a month he can bounce himself and use this happily for about 10 minutes. in the last 2 weeks he has found the t.v and watched 45 minutes of the england match with me quite happily for 45 minutes last thursday he loves kicking his legs while watching the footie come on sam for england lol. i also eventually found a rattle that ds actually likes and pays attention too it is by v-tech and is like a wand it plays twinkle twinkle little star and lights up. i also have a walker he sits in for about 5 minutes he likes the different textures on the toy tray. i think the more you keep putting them in contact with their toys the more they get to like them.
i know how you feel about the bathroom i have even lay ds down in the bathroom while taking a wee before now, but i have learnt he will be ok for a few minutes while i go to the toilet, don't worry as long as your little one is on the floor safely she willbe ok. make sure you take some time for yourself too i know this just about keeps me sane lol.