Activity Ideas for Older Child During Breastfeeding Sessions

What I did was I made up a special "nursing basket" for my daughter. I had some simple puzzles, books, mini magnadoodle, doll, etc. The color wonder markers are great, as well as the water pens (water doodle books, found at Target, Walmart). The basket was used only during nursing. I had to remember to keep the things simple and things she could do independently. So, stay away from play doh & messy things. We also would read books during. Soon you'll find yourself very creative juggling your daughter and nursing baby. Good luck.

We just had twins 2 weeks ago today. I have a 4 yr old at home as well and am nursing the twins.

I nurse lots sitting cross legged in my bed. At that time, the 4 yr old and I read books.

My son was 18 months old as I nursed his little sister. We would read books while she nursed, so he could have "close" time with mommy, too. I often sat on the floor and he would build something for me with his blocks. He loved it when I'd knock it down and he'd rebuild. Sometimes he would dance around for me...if I put on fun music. Sometimes we'd put in a video and watch it together. He LOVED Blue's Clues then. Maybe that's why he'd dance around! Sometimes he'd make a "road" with pillows and see if he could walk on the road (apparently this is harder than it sounds for an 18 month old!) Sometimes, we'd make nursing time his snack time, too, so they were both eating at the same time. My daughter learned to eat wherever I happened to be, and my son learned to "share" mommy. Good luck!

I've been there, and invariably those feedings were never at times when the older one was ready to do some quiet activity. So while feeding the baby, I found it was a great time to direct my two-year old daughter in games of Simon Says, Red Light/Green Light, and Mother May I! She had a ball with great preschool games, learned to follow directions, and use some motor skills to work off some energy! A bonus is the baby gets to hear your voice too.

I always read to my son while I nursed my daughter. He loved it and didn't feel left out. He sat next to me and helped turn the pages.

Congratulations! My daughter was 19 months when I brought home my son. To keep her busy while I nursed, I would get her involved with her dolls. We bought her a "mommy kit" for her dolls just before we had our son. It has a bottle, cups, spoons, bowls, diapers, little toys, etc for dolls. (We bought it at Target, around $10). She loved it and it kept her busy while I nursed! As she's gotten older, I've turned to having her color with crayons next to me or on the floor next to me. Best wishes!

You might try what I did with my 2 yr. old when I was nursing my newborn: go through a list of all the things that the baby can't do, and talk about how the bigger kid can do them and isn't that funny, look at all the stuff the baby can't do, all she can do is poop and nurse and she's really not so good at that even. It totally cracked up my oldest and it made her feel so special, rather than set aside. Also, you could spend $20 at any dollar store buying little toys for your oldest and wrap them up in wrapping paper and put them in a bin. She can pick a toy when the baby nurses as long as she plays with it. Another thing to do too is to get her an old phone from a junk shop and give her a phone book and a pen and have her make "phone calls".

Things my 18 month old does while I breastfeed her brother:

Eats her breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Plays with playdough at the kitchen table, strapped in her booster seat.

Colors in coloring books at a little table near us.

Looks at books.

Shape sorter....she is obsessed with it and will play on her own with it for the twenty minutes we're breastfeeding.

If none of the above, I'll ask her to point to different body parts. Where's your nose, etc. She can do this for a long time, and since she's learning to talk, we practice saying the names of body parts too.

Thanks for posting this!! I'm in the same situation (Shrek is a favorite right now and we have to say "not right now" a lot)
My daughter loves to color, so before I start feeding we get out the crayons or some markers (the crayola ones that only work on the special paper are wonderful!). We also read books or sing songs.

L. congratulations on the birth of your son how exciting! And a bit challenging! As a mother of 4 all of which were breastfed children I totally understand where you are coming from. I always had good luck with reading during the many feeding sessions during the day. My older children were not allowed to watch much T.V. however they loved and still do love to read. What I did was got a bag full of books (and a few other items like a dress up doll, foam puzzles, etc.) and that bag was only allowed to be played with during nursing time. My older children loved that they had a special bag and it helped them to deal with the idea of me being busy because although I was feeing the newborn, I was also making "special" time for the older children. Eventually they settled into the routine and were less and less mischevious while I was busy feeding the new baby. I hope this helps. Good Luck and God Bless your family.

Go to the dollar store and pick up little sets of stuff. (horses, dolls, tops) depending on what she will put in her mouth.

Get her a tea set and if she can sit nice and color during your time with her brother, then you and her can have a tea party.

puzzles

a special snack

Get a dora set she only gets to play with during that time so it is special.