What to do with toddler while you're sitting down pumping

Question

I have a newborn and a young toddler. I am exclusively pumping. What did you do with your toddler while you pumped? I'm thinking about putting him in his crib or highchair just so he doesn't do anything he's not supposed to while I'm busy pumping.

Answer

I figured out a way to keep him enclosed in the back play room with me, and he was fine. I talked to him, and engaged with him while I pumped but he was definitely contained. You do what’s right for you. If putting them in the high chair and talking, playing, coloring with them while they’re contained works for you....do it. There is already so much mom guilt for having multiples we shouldn’t be adding to that. Do the best you can for your judgement. I think it’s a little reckless for people to make it seem like your oldest will hate their sibling just because you had to pump.

Answer

Not to be rude I don’t recommend doing that to your toddler because he’ll think that your newborn is more important and time with him you need to learn to do something next to you while you’re pumping like a reading or just talking to him telling him a story flashcards something engaging

Answer

I breastfeed and have a 2.5yo; for me, feeding the newborn was the same as being tied to a pump. (Kudos to you baby wearing mamas who breastfeed on the go! I guess I’m not that coordinated 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣) While on maternity leave I would station us both in a room when I had to feed my infant. I’d read books to him (bonus for this one for me: he likes to hold the books and turn the pages), let him play with mega blocks or I’d get out toys he likes to play with that I’ve had out of rotation for a while and that would distract him. I was there and could supervise still and a couple times, that meant setting the baby down to help my toddler but for the most part, he was distracted enough that I just interacted from a slight distance (“oh I see you’re coloring, what color is that crayon? Is that red? You’re doing a great job!” Etc) and it worked for us. I did always have an “in case of emergency” toy or book hidden near me within arm’s reach if needed and also the tv remote: when he was being really wild and not listening, I put on Daniel Tiger out of desperation and he’d calm down. Tv was definitely the last resort but again, I was right there watching with him and could talk to him about the show we were watching so it worked for us. Good luck!

Answer

Can you give him toys that he can play independently with? My toddler is almost two and loves thomas the train, he’s figuring out how to put the track together himself. Maybe try a toy like that to keep him busy and thinking so he went be bothering you.

Answer

if you don't already have one get a hands free pumping bra. that way you can sit on the ground with both of them and read or play. I agree with not confining your older child. having two is a whole other ball game!

Answer

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What to do with toddler while you're sitting down pumping

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