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Home › Expert Q&A › General Concerns › Misc Questions › How can I keep my 3-year-old occupied while I nurse her baby sister?

Expert Q&A

 

By Mary Kay Smith
IBCLC, Lactation Consultant

I really need some suggestions on how to keep my 3-year-old happily occupied while I breastfeed her baby sister. I want some specific suggestions on what to put in a ""busy box"" -- something that has worked well for other moms. I want breastfeeding to be a calm and happy time, not a stressful one. Thanks!

There are several suggestions I have for you to occupy your 3-year-old. First of all, try a little special snack or special toy for only at nursing times. I used to keep a small cooler with treats like juice boxes, cheese cubes and things that I could eat while nursing, too.

My daughter loved my purse and I had a special purse for her to only play with while I was nursing the baby. It had an old calculator, a small note pad and crayons, some small storybooks, and an old wallet with some play money and pictures in it.

It is also important to be clear about the fact that this is baby's feeding time and we don't disturb others while they eat. A 3-year-old should be able to understand this concept. It is also helpful to sit and nurse in a room that is childproofed or gated so the older child or toddler can't ""escape"" into other parts of the house and get into trouble.

How about a storybook about how babies are fed? I recall one that had mother and baby animals nursing and showed a human mom and baby at the end. It's also a good time to talk about ""when you were a baby"" to let the older child know that they had their special times with mom, whether or not they were breastfed. It is also a wonderful opportunity for siblings to bond and develop a connection.

Parenting is hard work and demands patience and creativity. I would encourage you to find a support group of other women who have small children and nursing babies to develop friendships and observe other parenting styles. You just might hear some new ideas. Some of my dearest friends are ones who I met this way and we are still friends!

Good luck to you and don't give up! Nursing your baby is just as important as parenting your other child; maybe even more so for a brief time!

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