How to Safely Contain 10 Mo Old While Working in Kitchen?

Hello M.,
I'm betting that you have had many repsonses by now but, I will respond as well. We kept a cupboard in the corner end area and abviously near the floor full of tupperware bowls and old pots and metal spoons and plastic spoons and cups in it so that he could take them out and play cooking and music. Worked very well and still works for a two year old. We also now have nutritious snacks in there as well so he can help himself to "snacks". He is underweight so I don't mind if he helps himself. Just an idea.
L. T.

I saw this late and see you have a ton of advice already, but thought I'd just say that I have the superyard (can shape it into an octagon or square) and it's simply WONDERFUL!! I used it for my now 3 year old daughter and brought it out when my youngest started crawling, so she got used to it early. She's now 13 months old and still loves to play in there. I have wood floors so I put those big blue square mats under the play yard to make her falls while walking a little less painful. My 3 year old likes to go in there and play with her. I also let my youngest walk around the kitchen too, but she likes to be right where I am and I don't feel comfortable when I'm at the stove or oven and moving hot pans around. It's nice because there's so much more room to move and I think she feels less constrained than when in the pack 'n play (she never lasts long in there).

Good luck!

They have play gates out there that can keep him contained in a safe area and still give him room to crawl and play. They can be folded out into a square or octagon or whatever. They worked well for my sister. Good luck!!!

My daughter is also easily bored with "containment", and I had to get really creative when it came to cooking. You could try making a cabinet for him, of tupperware, maybe plastic spoons, some plastic containers with lids, etc. that he could open and investigate on his own right there in the kitchen next to you. As long as it was somewhere away from the stove, or other dangerous items.

Put a safety lock on all of the cabinets that could be potentially dangerous or that you don't want him getting into. Have at least one cabinet or drawer that he can get into and play with the items. I have a cabinet that has tupperware. My kids can get in it and pull things out. I also have drawers and cabinets that have pots & pans & lids that the kids can bang on and make lots of noise. Then I have a drawer that has measuring spoons, etc. that the kids can play with. The kids can be in the kitchen "helping" while I'm cooking or cleaning. Also, I have Leapfrog fridge magnets. My kids can practice their alphabet, counting, & farm animal noises. I also have a toy kitchen that I used to keep near my kitchen. My son could imitate what I was doing. But sometimes you need to just stick your kids in a pack-and-play. My sons always liked to "help" me load/unload the dishwasher --- which didn't work. So, I placed them in the playpen with toys until the dishes were done. When he's older, have him actually help. Kids love that. Be creative.

A cupboard of their own, as the others suggest is great. At around 10 months, we got my daughter a Playzone at One Step Ahead: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...
We also got her a couple extra sections so she has a good, safe space to play in. We love it. She can be right there and totally self-contained to play with her toys, read or talk with us. It also has a variety of songs & activities on one of the panels. We wish we'd bought it sooner--I actually have time to throw dinner together or run to the bathroom now!

Do you have a tupperware cubboard? I would contain him in the kitchen and open one safe cabinet for him to play with and pull things out of. My kids loved this activity and kept them busy for hours. Let him take everything out and climb in. Let him bang on them and enjoy himself but make sure it is the same cupboard everytime and that it is safe.
C. B

A safe cupboard with dishes and big spoons he can play with is a good suggestion, a play yard might work but there are a lot of little ones who hate to be confined. When in the high chair put a little water in the tray that he can splash in, mine always find that very entertaining I just put a towel under the chair, especially when I am cooking and really don't want them to get hurt. HHMMM.....if I can think of more I'll send them your way!

Sadly, I have no genius ideas for you. I've had 4 now (youngest almost 9 months) and when they were at the age that I didn't want them in the kitchen while I was working, I usually just put off working in the kitchen until naptime. I could never load or unload the dishwasher if they were in the kitchen because they were constantly grabbing things out of it. Most kitchen items are not the safest for a baby to play with. Hopefully someone else has better suggestoins. Right now, we actually have a doorway (minus the actual door) that we can put a baby gate in so they can't get into the kitchen while I'm in there. We will be moving soon where there won't be a good way to block the whole kitchen, so hopefully someone else gives you a much better suggestion! Good luck. That's a tough age for getting pretty much any housework done.

I've read through some of your responses and agree that the playyard enclosures are just great, especially if your little guy is just getting the hang of crawling, but isn't yet motoring all over the place. I do not believe for a second that a child in the midst of developing his little legs for walking needs to be confined to a high chair when it is so easy to provide him a safe place to play.

For myself, we have a playyard but don't use it that often these days. Our little guy has been crawling for almost two months now and is all over the place. I let him have the run of the downstairs while I'm working in the kitchen. Keep in mind the space is small and an open floorplan -- only the front living room is out of eyeshot (and only about 10 steps away from kitchen). He and my 3-year-old play really well together.

If you have effectively "babyproofed" the space your son is turned loose in, you really have no reason to worry just because the space is larger than a playyard. Once babies are more steady and consistent with crawling, I think it's good for them to explore and let their little minds soak in the world around them.

Good luck!

I was going to suggest a play yard. Letting him play in cupboards/drawers is a good idea, as long as he's not underfoot while you're cooking or using knives.

I have been using and used a walker w/ my kids. They have wheels on the bottom so baby is able to be mobile and yet they have this huge tray on them so they dont get too close to things. They have toys on them and also give you the opportunity to put other things on them too, food, pots n pans...

Our walker has been helpful when babysitting other kids as well. We were watching a 1 year old who was able to walk - we put him in the walker to keep him out of our TV components. Because of the tray in front of him he wasn't able to reach the DVD, TV buttons, VCR...It gave us peace of mind that he wasn't going to get hurt or "break" any of the component stuff.

Good luck and enjoy this time in your kiddo's life.

Hugs,
A.

I have a very tiny kitchen but have still managed to put a playpen in there (I am skinny, so that helps). At other times I put the walker in there and be sure to wear good shoes so it doesn't hurt when he rams it into my feet. Then when I am working with hot water or opening the oven I push him away with my feet. It's an art I think.

YOu might try just having specific toys for your kitchen, so that when he is in there he can play with a certain basket of toys, or pots and pans and a metal spoon. My boys loved to nest a big stack of bowls while I cooked. If you don't want him on the floor you could try a johnny jumper, but if he is bored in an exersaucer that may not do the trick. I wish you luck. I would keep trying him in the exersaucer and maybe try some different toys tied to it.

I have an 11 month old little guy who is the same way! What I have done is locked all of the cubbards in my kitchen except for one, the tupperware. When it comes time to cook or do dishes, I start in the high chair with snacks and then when he gets bored I put him in front of the tupperware and I open the door. It keeps him busy for at least an hour, tearing everything in there up and pulling it all out and apart! When he does get bored, I give him a couple of wooden spoons and we make drums out of the tupperware! Good luck, I hope that helps a little!

We have a cupboard in the kitchen that's just for the kids' toys. Sometimes I put on some music - my 17 mo old loves to "dance".

i usually just open up the pots and pans cupboard and open the drawer where i keep all their lids and let the kids play with all of them. it lets them feel like they're helping me, they stay off of my pants, and i just have a little more dishes to clean up is all. it gets loud, but they're right where you can see them, they're safe, and they're having fun! hope this helps.

I found a great toy we use from Leap Frog that attaches to the fridge since everything is a magnet. It has the entire alphabet letters and the child places the letters in the system and it says the letters and all the sounds. It also sings the ABC song. It keeps our daughter entertained while she is with me in the kitchen and still feeling a part of things going on. One other thing you might try (at least for the next few months) is putting one of those jonny jump-ups in your door jamb as well. Good luck!

The thing that really saved me from a lot of worry was a play pen. It contained them in a certain area. Just put toys in there to keep him occupied until you are free to pick him up. There are times when you need one just to answer the phone, go potty, or anything that takes a few minutes. Then you know they are safe.

I got my daughter a superyard (more to keep my dogs from running her over than anything!!!)... and she absolutely LOVES it! She likes that she can see me and still play, and I like the fact that she has her own place-besides her bedroom-that she can be active. Plus, the superyard allows her to practice pulling up. I would suggest getting some of those foam puzzle-piece floor mat things as cushion- their not too expensive, and she loves being able to glide when she scoots along! I loved it so much I got her one for outside in the yard too! Just be aware, you can't make it totally stationary- if he pushes on it, it will slide across tile or wood- sometimes even carpet. That's another reason I suggest the foam things- those DON'T slode, and they are thick enough to prevent movement from pushing. Good luck in your decision!

Hi M.,
We just ordered a play pen off the internet that looks good. We didn't get it yet so I don't know how we are going to like it but I ordered it because it is a bit larger than the average play yard. It also has a higher weight limit than most. It's called "The Play Yard" by L.A. Baby. It's a "commercial" grade play yard and can be found at some hotel supply sites. We found ours at Closeout.com.

My son was also very busy at 10 mos. and working in the kitchen was always a task. I cleared out one lower-cabinet and filled it with some tupperware and play pots & pans, toys, etc. He eventually kept himself busy while I cleaned up the kitchen. Then, all I had to do is open the cabinet and shove all his "toys" back inside. Good luck!
T.

You need to put him in the highchair, boring or not. Give him cups, spoons to play with, cheerios. I always did the pack and play and when they were older put a baby gate at the kitchen. A lot of accidents can happen in a second and I would rather a baby be bored, then injured. Try even a booster seat that scoots up to the table instead of a high chair and things to play with at the table.

We have the "kid's cupboard" and that works well. We also have always tried to plan naptime to be during dinner prep time. Worked well with #1, not so well with #2. I'll have to say, it is easier with #2, though, since he has built in entertainment in the family that doesn't include Mommy. :) Our one cabinet that the kids think is theirs is a lifesaver. I have found it's better to ask permission if I need something out of that cabinet since they think it belongs to them. I think it's fair since I expect them to ask permission to use my things. I can just be the example.

You can use a walker with toys attached to it. Or you can use a playpen that it big enough to put lots of thing in it. I used that quite often in the kitchen and my kitchen was very small. I hope this helps! K.

Put child locks on any cupboards or drawers you don't want him in, the harmful ones. Keep tupperware/pots and pans down low (small ones.) Let him pull them in and out of the cupboard, give a spoon to bang on them will, show him how he can stack them and how they fit inside each other. Show him that small toys and other objects can fit inside. Let him pull everthing out and climb in, then play peek-a-boo. He will ove it.

My kids, 4 and 2, are still often occupied with these things. My 4 year old is just barely loosing interest. I have one empty cupboard for my 2 year old to climb in and play peek-a-boy. Small children also learn from it. They learn about sounds, stacking, shapes, sizes.

You might even want to do what my in laws do for when grandchildren come to visit. They have a drawer with nothing but child safe dishes in it. Bowls, cups, spoons, plates, etc. The kids know that they are allowed to play with anything in this drawer. The dishes are colorful and often have characters on them to make it even more enjoyable.

Teach him to play only in that drawer/cupboard. It should occupy him for along time.

Also, put him the high chair with the tray and give him an ice cube. Make sure it doesn't get small enough for him to choke on. Little ones have a hard time catching ad holding on to ice cubes. Thier determination occupies them for along time.

alphabet refridgerator magnets...they keep my daughter busy while I'm in the kitchen

M.,
it is an interesting question to me as I learned about little people before I got myself one, from visiting my elder brother who had 2 kids: a 6 months old daughter and a 16 months old son.
As soon as I arrived, my brother had to go on a business trip and his wife told me: oh, cool, we are leaving together, and you babysit with kids! (I was 18, btw.) "Wait-a-minute", I think, "I haven't seen babies so close in my life, this is my very first experience!" and I say to her: "NOWAY!" She says "nothing to be afraid of: they are pretty much self-sufficient, you only need to help them with food and potty." I was so bewildered, couldn't even speak, so she added: "and if anything, Indrek (the elder son, 16 mo.) will guide you through, he'll tell you". I finally opened my mouth: "He cannot even talk!" Mommy lifted her eyebrow: "Okay, if you will be REALLY confused, then here is the book!" And sure thing, in 2 days they left for a week. Here I am. Here they are :), my little niece and nephew. All the floors and carpets are washed clean and vacuumed, all the dangerous objects, like scissors knives needles and such are locked in the upper shelves, keys hiding in safety. Toys are all over the place, including kitchen. So, as you say: it IS a SUPERYARD :) !
Anneli, the 6mo. niece is crawling EVERYWHERE, likes touching my toes, picks up toys, if interested in one then sits down plays, then moves on to explore. Indrek is walking, petting his sister, hugging my legs, and trying to help with carrying stuff around from place to place. This was one happy childhood for both of them (they are adults now). I learned tons, and ever since wanted my own kids.
Now, the suggested emergency book that I certainly started to read in the evenings, was Benjamin Spock. Very unusual, and inspiring. I do not at all agree with all his methods and approach, but he was an eye-opener to me, showing that there are millions of more angles how to look at the kids, how to deal with them, and how they perceive the world.
One thing i understood and it helped me to raise my kids in a very happy environment was this:
I leave them their space, not invading into it until it is really necessary. if the baby and later a toddler is allowed to explore the world, they will entertain themselves and will be extremely curious throughout their life. The task for parents remains at all times: keep them safe. How to do it, you just asked.

Option one: remove all the potentially dangerous stuff, and fill this safe space with objects that the enjoy: say, pillows, stuffed animals for coziness and toys appropriate for their age.

Spock suggests option two: do NOT remove dangerous things, and if they get hurt, let them learn what hurts so that they quit doing what hurts. If they touch a hot iron, on the third burn they learn this is 'aoui' and do not come close to it anymore.
I did not use that method, but I've seen families who did...
it's up to the parents to make choices of course.
one last sidenote for you, M.,
if you start creating a house-size safe superyard for our little guy, remember to watch what he learns to do, to prevent next potential dangers: as soon as he figures out how to climb chairs, make sure the next level (chair) does not bring him closer to the next dangerous areas. I moved chairs to the middle of the room (some clutter, but then my sons did not climb up higher from the chair to the table and to the shelves :) ).
They also soon learn how to TURN KNOBS: watch for the gas or electric stove then!!!
Once my year-old son figured out how to MOVE the furniture around, even pretty heavy things, I blocked some areas or put something heavier on the top of the night-table, for instance, so he couldn't move it, but i left him one empty night-table and he was moving the thing around, developing big super-boy muscles.
Also, you need to develop a keen ear: listen attentively to sounds, if he is in a different room: if it is usual noise, it should be okay, if it's totally quiet, he got busy: I would go peek from the door what's up without interfering much into his exploration experience, but making sure he's safe.
This is also how children learn to be focused. If they are not interrupted while being engaged with something, it's good to allow them to be totally focused by not interfering. They will be done with that activity, and then move on, and they certainly come check on mom's and/or dad's presence million times: the younger, the more often they come to give a hug, to get a hug, to see they are in mom's space. (you notice this on the beach: pay attenmtion how often and how far little kids move away from mom, how often they come back to mom to just touch her or catch her look, and how long they will stay in the closer mom-space, to take off again to go play farther. You will be surprised what you find out, and then use it for your own communication with your little son :).
The very last sidenote: if you allow him to crawl EVERYWHERE you adults all need to learn quickly that you have one super-creature under your feet AT ALL TIMES as you will never know when he will appear BEHIND you: step consciously, be careful with hot water, objects that you carry: he will be always in the most unexpected places!
Oh, and in the kitchen and otherwise, ALL THE HANDLES of all the pots and pans need to be INSIDE the area of the surface of the stove, table, shelf: make it a rule for yourself, like a habit. For example, while cooking, turn ALL the handles inward, at ALL TIMES, because he is growing, and one day he will stand on tiptoes to grab the pan-handle: if there is a hot oil in it, the trouble might be big!!! This is 'aoui' that we don't want them to learn on sad experience.
If anything else, write me on ____@____.com,
I might remember something more, but as for now, this is my experience. Good happy days for you all, and take care!!!

My daughter loves books (20 months) and I put her in my graco pack and play with a bunch of books she can't destroy, and then I also put on a Baby Einstein Movie. They last for about a half hour, and they're really great little attention getters. They're also educational (teaching words, seasons, signs, etc.) so I don't ever feel guilty about ploping her down for a bit. I bought the entire set of DVD's (25) for $50 on ebay. They retail between $10-$15; Toysrus usually does a buy one get one half off deal. Good luck!

I have a huge and tall play yard. It looks like 6 babygates all connected to make a big area to play in. There is no bottom, so it's not a playpen. It folds up to store and I love it because I can use it in the house or outside. I found mine at Babies R Us for I think about $60. I tried to find a used one, but they go so quickly so I know resale will be no problem and I'll get back quite a bit of what I spent.

I remember those days with my little ones. I would rotate them from the exosaucer to the swing to the playpen to the high chair with cherrios. I also tried (on days when I was more "with-it") to make salads etc. ahead of time. Not easy but it did make the dinner rush smoother and it kept them from getting underfoot. Each place would buy me about 10-15 minutes of time. Gradually their little attention spans would improve. No matter what you do that works for you, a baby's attention span at this age just isn't that long and some sort of juggling is bound to occur. It will get easier.

Hi M.,
We had the same problem with our 2 year old and baby twins. Our solution, we gated off part of the kitchen and placed a play kitchen complete with bowls, and other toy kitchen items. That way, while I'm cooking they could "cook" as well. Whenever I am making dough, I always make a bit extra that they can play with at the table. Also, my partner built a shelf to contain our art supplies and the kids can draw/paint at the table while I'm working too. It keeps things handy. Both provide hours of entertainment and although it can get messy at times, at least it's in a contained area!