Where does your baby spend their time when not in your arms?

Question

Cot, bouncer, pushchair, sling, car seat, sit-in toys, pushchair, highchair, etc

It's becoming apparent that I don't have many places to 'put' my ten month old. She spends her whole day either in the sling or on the floor, or in her highchair to eat.

Where do your babies spend their time and how does it divide up? My daughter spends about 4-5 hours an average day in the sling, 3-4 on the floor, a couple of hours in the high chair and the rest in her cot asleep.

Anyone have the same situation? Where do you 'put' your babies?

amosunknown - She spends most of her time at home on the floor, when we go out she is in one of our slings, unless of course you would like me to let her crawl along the street. We don't have a pushchair as she prefers slings, and is a very independent young lady. She loves to explore, and doesn't cry when I put her down. I use my slings to get things done, and she adores being close to me and having a whole new perspective on the world.

I really don't think there was any need to be so critical.

Answer 1

I think your situation sounds pretty representative and very normal to all the families I know!

My 7 month old LOVES being on the floor - rolling around and pulling herself about - that's where she spends most of her time.

I use the bumbo a bit, as well - bouncy chair was used nearly all the time before she was about 4 months old.

She is in her highchair a bit, her sit-in activity centre thing more and the car seat and pushchair of course if we are out and about. And her cot, of course. But the floor is the main one!

Answer 2

My son is only 2 months old, but I would say he spends most of his time in his bouncer, seems to be where he likes to be. Maybe 2-3 hours a day in his bouncer, because it also helps put him to sleep. He spends about an hour a day on the floor on his boppy pillow or on a blanket doing tummy time. Then his swing is usually where he sleeps in the daytime, because he likes it better then his crib.

For a baby that age, I don't see anything wrong with where you're putting her... lol. The time on the floor is good, and so is the sling. Maybe buy one of those little "Johnny Jump-Up" things. My sister loved hers at that age. Also they have those little bumbo seats that are pretty cool, I'm not positive on the ages for those, but I think she could still sit in one.

Just make sure that you interact and play with her when she spends that time on the floor. Read to her, Play music for her. Letting her play by herself is fine, but make sure you play WITH her as well. And, taking her out for a walk in her stroller would be nice for both of you. That can definitely kill some time, keep your little one happy, and burn some calories while you're at it... lol.

Good luck!

Answer 3

My son is almost 9 months old and I just let him play on the floor with toys. Most of the time he just crawls around and once in a while he'll play in his crib or play pen. But I like letting him explore and he likes it too. He's been trying to walk and pulls himself up on everything, so I figure by letting him play and explore he will learn to walk on his own terms. Some times he will crawl to his room and play with the toys in there by himself for a while. Some times he's so quiet I wonder what he's into and he will just be playin with his toys quietly. He naps in his crib and eats in his high chair. Good Luck!

Answer 4

On the floor? She's 10 months old for crists sake, let her down and let her crawl. Unless you want her to be attached at your hip for all the rest of her childhood.

My son's been crawling since 5 months. I cant imagine carting him around all day long in his sling. He spends all day on the floor, where ever I am he is there fooling around with anything he can get into and discover. Unless he's in the stroller for a quick walk he's down, in the grass exploring, always exploring and learning to use that body and entertain himself.

Why arent you letting her play and explore her world? 5 hours is a lonnnnng time to be carrying her around. Just because she cries when you put her down doesnt mean you have to pick her up and entertain her. Give her some toys near you while you work on something and let her sort it out herself.

Unless this is what you want for her.

Answer 5

my son is 7 weeks old and is not much of a cuddler :(

So after feeding he likes to lay on his activity mat and watch himself in the mirror and kick at the rattle toys, lay in his bassinet and watch his mobile, lay on the floor and just look around, and sit in his swing - where he normally falls asleep. He doesn't mind his bouncy chair but it's not his favorite and if we put him in his car seat and then don't go for a car ride or walk shortly thereafter he freaks LOL.

Sometimes he will nap on the couch snuggled up to me or on his Daddy's chest. It's been warm this summer so it gets real hot for him if we are snuggled together. Some days even when eating he wants to sit propped up on the couch instead of in my lap because it's just too hot!

He spends the night in his crib and has realized over the last week of a steady routine that the crib is for sleeping and after feeding if it is dark out he goes back in his crib to sleep some more. So he's usually down around 10pm, wakes between 2 and 3 to eat, again around 5 and then the day begins between 7 and 7:30 as the sun is shining. Eats and in his swing to nap until 9, then we go for a walk or go do something outside or do some errands with the van after he eats and he usually stays awake for most of that, might have a short nap when we get home either in his bassinet or if fussy in his swing till 11/noon. Eats and naps in his swing till 2, eats and plays (mat, floor, sitting on my lap) till around 5, eats and sleeps lightly till 7/8pm, eats and stays awake (we often go out in the evening and he loves that) and then anytime after 9:30 we start the night time routine (bath, bottle with song time) and out for the night.

Of course give it a week or two and that will all change as he changes LOL.

Answer 6

usually on the floor for 3-4 hours throughout the day. bouncer for 1-2 hours, in his exersaucer/jumper/walker for an hour. the rest of the time he's in his highchair eating, or napping.

Answer 7

my son would have spent all his non-eating time in the swing if we had let him. He LOVED that thing. I also would put him on the floor or in the boppy on the sofa. We also did tummy time on the boppy. It gave him a little lift if we put it under his chest and let his arms hang over. Then he got to look around rather than be face down on the floor : )

Answer 8

My baby is always nearby me. I spend a lot of time chatting and playing, I leave her alone on the floor to play. She eats in her chair, and she sits in the pram when we go out. If baby cant walk or crawl theres not that many other options, and i wouldn't worry about it!

Answer 9

She spends about half the day in her bouncer/rocking chair....we hold her the rest and then at night in her bassinet. ..but I just got her a bumbo which she loves and that way her head isn't smooshed against something all day. I always worry about a flat head.....I just can't hold her all day and she hates being on her tummy.

She's 3 months old.

Answer 10

Usually my parents or sister will hold her. If not she goes in the swing, bouncer or on a blanket on the floor.