This thing should be given free of charge to every new parent. It saved our sanity once kiddo #1 started crawling. Kiddo #2 should be crawling soon and it will once again be a lifesaver.
> All the gear and clothes can get acquired for free or cheap only used.
Toys too. My wife got hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of things from the rich moms in the local mom groups / community groups. She got some sort of activity center that normally costs $125 for free. She got 3 of everything, either free or cheap so now we have one at each of the parents house.
I would return. They aren't safe or helpful for walking, plus it's huge and something that can only be used for a short amount of time. Instead get a push walker (this V-tech one is popular) and was actually recommended to us by a PT to help encourage walking indepedently.
Some things we have that are we like are:
Stacking cups. Baby can knock over when we stack them, pick up, suck on, an later can stack them and use them in the bath or sandbox. This is a toy that I really feel will get a lot of use of the years!
An O-ball type toy that baby can grab onto. Also good for dangling from one of those play mat structures.
A soft book made of crinkly pages that make noise when squished.
A set of linking rings (like this https://www.amazon.ca/Bright-Starts-Lots-of-Links/dp/B001ABZGU2) for chewing on, dangling, and connecting other toys to the car seat or stroller.
This I hope hope hope this is it. That she is like a few snarkers including my self that thought it was just teaching them to stay on a blanket for play time. Like not letting the toys get off the the carpeted play area and then using rewards and praise. Though logically that seems to be losing battle and it would only work well if you were doing something more extreme.
I just used an enclosed play yard in a rectangular shape or a pack n play full of toys
These things.
Skip Hop Baby Activity Center: Interactive Play Center with 3-Stage Grow-with-Me Functionality, 4mo+, Explore & More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J94K9OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZXCRB074V9KGJ2H19X80?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
We got this: Amazon link
If you have the Peloton mat, it fits nearly perfectly around the edges in the same rectangular shape when assembled. Very efffective, and imo it actually didn’t look terrible! Not sure it would work if you had a big floor fan if you wanted it within the enclosed space, but we use a clip on fan so it was fine. Now we also have a WaterRower for CITYROW, and we’ve used the fencing to partition off a corner of our basement, so it doesn’t look as clean now. Let me know if you want to see a pic of our current setup.
Gimme a break. $29.
14,000 95%+ reviews on Amazon.
My 10 month old does this exact thing. She loves all the noise the metal vent makes when she bangs it on the wood floors. I swear she can pull the vents up and out with one swipe. We have an Evenflo Versatile Play Space and I use two sections to block off the vent area in a V shape. Someday we'll get around to just screwing all of the vents into the floor, but that hasn't happened yet.
My baby was obsessed with linking rings for a while. She still likes them at almost 9 months but is in need of more cause and effect toys now.
Baby crinkle paper is always good. She also loved her o-ball and got really good at her hand-eye-foot coordination with it.
The Great British Baking Show...for some reason I can put it on and my three year old doesn't mind it (and by that I mean...if he's yelling about watching whatever, I can tell him that I'm gonna watch my show, put it on, and it's all okay lol). Plus the music is calming and the colors are bright and fun. Just brightens my day to have it on in the background all day.
Oooh edited to add: my amazing baby gate. It's this one on Amazon and it is a life saver. I can connect it all and have a baby pen, I can bend each piece or unhook pieces to fit the location I need blocked (usually secured behind heavy furniture), and it doesn't have easy foot holes to climb. Love it!
It is!!! We absolutely love it - this is our second baby and it’s still holding strong. It’s awesome because it comes apart and was very handy for protecting the Christmas tree from curious baby hands
We call it baby jail 😂
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay 8 Panel Baby Play Yard: Safe play area anywhere. Folds up with carrying strap for easy travel. Freestanding. 34.4 sq. ft. enclosure (26" Tall, Multicolor) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NTY1HU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KDBK929C7B7E4HFDX7QP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Have you looked into putting him into a pack and play or one of those octagon play pens (https://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Versatile-Play-Space-Cool/dp/B072LTSWND/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=octagon+playpen&qid=1624900913&sr=8-11)
This way he's corralled and can be entertained with toys you throw in there, but not free to escape while you take some well deserved you time.
Neglecting yourself does not make for a happy baby. If he cries and screams, let him. Take that time for yourself
When I had to take care of my 2 mo. reflux twins solo, I had some success getting at least one to sleep in the twin Z ( so their head is slightly elevated) or this bouncer that I can rock with my foot while sitting on the sofa.
They are 3.5 months now. Swaddle or the Merlin suit still helps.
We watch wake windows and have routines, but unfortunately many babies just like to be held or just wake up a lot. Reflux doesn't help. We plan to get our pediatrician's ok on sleep training.
My baby's chiropractor recommended starting out the mat with baby on her back. Then gently roll her to her side starting with her butt. Leave her on her side for 15-30 seconds (to start with) then help her roll her chest. If she needs it, help her get her arms under her. Leave her on her tummy for as long as she will stand (I recommend doing this on something like the piano mat so she can watch the lights and listen to the songs. If not, wave some toys or flashcards in front of her face and tell her how well she's doing.
As soon as she gets frustrated roll her (starting with her butt) back onto her side, another 15-30 seconds, then onto her back. On her back, make eye contact and smile, wave, etc. Offer her a finger or pacifier. When/if she's calm, roll her to the opposite side from previous go round and repeat.
Only do this when she is not sleepy or hungry. Spitup is fine. Stop as soon as she's frustrated and soothe her until she's calm, then try again. It's fine if she only do 30 seconds the first time, just increase in whatever tiny increments she can stand.
I have this one and love it! It’s big enough and I can shape it how I need. I just step over it when needed. The entire area is totally baby safe so I can put her down in our movie room where there are wires everywhere and see her from the kitchen.
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay 8 Panel Baby Play Yard: Safe play area anywhere. Folds up with carrying strap for easy travel. Freestanding. 34.4 sq. ft. enclosure (26" Tall, Multicolor) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B006NTY1HU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_308K3A38350DCEHRZJ2T
Stardrops - The Pink Stuff - The Miracle All Purpose Cleaning Paste https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DU5SRIY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PWRX8HHAWRT1RDF1GTEA.
This is on sale on Amazon. Makes my glass top look brand new.
You can do tummy time laying your baby on your tummy. And this piano thing helped a lot, my baby loved it
Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym, Green, Gender Neutral (Frustration Free Packaging) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HYFZ37/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_i_LBdZFbWZ64BX1
There was a bunch of stuff in my house that I thought needed replacing because I'd cleaned them but they still didn't look clean, like what you've got with the sink and work surface.
Then my boyfriend bought this: Pink Stuff Paste and it's amazing - it cleaned EVERYTHING.
So I recommend getting some of that and some cloths to use it with and seeing if that works :)
Hello in Peru! I’m not sure what your shipping scenario is for US products, but around 3 months my baby started loving this piano kickmat
advice: this too shall pass. Try not to get overwhelmed, ask for help. this baby swing got good reviews
links These links are awesome! You can attach them to things like a playmat or a stroller. Easy for my 3mo to grab and try to chew on. Easy to clean. And my almost 4 year old also enjoys them and makes necklaces!
​
We did something similar to this. Very easy to assemble and can take pieces off/add pieces as needed. And if you need it bigger, buy another one! It's inconvenient as far as having to sort of hop over every time, but definitely keeps baby out.
You can set up one of these around that corner. The adults can move it, step over, or there is a gate panel that you can buy as an add on.
Great advice here, especially the showering. If you’re on your own or your partner can’t take them, get a chair like this. You can put them in it while you shower and it keeps them safe and occupied.
For the glass this stuff works like magic:
Stardrops - The Pink Stuff - The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DU5SRIY
Dawn Powerwash would probably do a good job on the rest after a self clean cycle.
This shit is gold:
Or try a barkeeper’s friend:
Not OP but we bought these linking rings from Amazon. I like them but they’re not super sturdy. My son has been able to pull them apart/off of things. But they’re great for lowering his hanging toys so they’re in reach. And he loves chewing on them whenever he can
My youngest hated not being able to move around. I found what I call the baby prison and he was so much happier. Maybe it'd help. Evenflo Versatile Play Space https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LTSWND?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Avoid suction cups. Our trailer back up camera has a suction cup monitor and while we were driving on the highway it fell off 5 times during the trip. If it falls off on flat road, anything remotely heavy suction cupped will definitely be a hazard.
What kind of a car seat do you have? We have an infant carrier and we have a velcro mirror that's supposed to wrap around the play mat but we hooked it to the car seat handle instead. this is the play mat we have and took the mirror off. I can't find the mirror specifically but you could maybe contact fisher price to ask to purchase a replacement mirror