If you're stuck at home, life with a baby can be challenging. Here are some tips to help stave off cabin fever.
What can you and your baby do all day when the weather is terrible outside? Or maybe you've had a rough night waking up with your baby and just for once, can't face the epic preparation that going out with your little one involves. Here are five ideas to make the most of your time.
1. Make a photo album or memory book
That beautiful baby memory book that you were given when your baby was born but you just haven’t had time to fill in? All those photos that are piling up on your phone or computer that you keep meaning to print out and put in a frame? This might be the best chance you get before you know it and your baby is ten years old.
You could select photos to put into an album with an online photo printing company or stick keepsakes into a book before they get lost or forgotten. Your baby might enjoy helping you while looking at old pictures of themself.
For more ideas about activities to do indoors, read our article here.
2. Have a toy stock take
Empty out the toy box and sort toys into piles that your baby likes playing with, has grown out of or hasn’t had a chance to play with yet. Put any toys you no longer need in a bin bag to clean and for the charity shop or Nearly New Sales.
Let your baby loose on the toy mountain and they might rediscover some old favourites they’d forgotten about. Not to mention you’ll have a tidier toy cupboard, and you can do your bit for the environment by passing on or selling old toys. While you’re at it, you could go through old baby clothes too.
3. Enjoy (some) screen time
Don’t worry, it’s ok, we get it. If you’re going to be at home with your baby, putting on the TV for short periods might be an inevitability just so you can get things done. Or even just go to the loo in peace.
You could always ignore the chores, sit down, put your feet up and watch TV with your child. Your baby will love having you there alongside them, and you could talk about what is happening. You might find you even like it – or at least wonder when Mr Tumble actually gets any time off.
4. Stay in touch with friends
Just because you're not going out, you can still stay in touch with the outside world, so phone, message or video call friends and family. It’ll keep you feeling more positive if the weather is glum and the park date with your NCT mates has been cancelled.
5. Remain active
Running around after your baby can feel like a work out in itself but if you want to do some more structured exercise, stick on a fitness DVD or watch a yoga tutorial on YouTube. If you wear a fitness tracker, you can still aim for 10,000 steps a day by walking or running around the house or climbing stairs (make sure your baby is in a safe place first).
Further information
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
Interactive, engaging and social, our antenatal course is a great way for you to meet other local parents, and get essential unbiased information and knowledge about pregnancy, birth and early days with your baby.
