Cooking with Baby

I always found the dishwasher cycle with baby in a bouncy in front with maybe some magenets toys or something to be the best. The sound the dishwasher almost always soothed her to sleep and I could cook or sleep myself!

I put my 11 week old baby girl in a bouncy seat on the floor on the other end of the kitchen from where I am prepping the food. I talk to her and tell her what I am doing and that usually keeps her happy for 20-30 minutes. If a meal takes longer than that to make, I do it in shifts over the day or not at all. I too, would be scared to have my baby in a sling when I am actually cooking over the stove. Too dangerous!

My baby was the same way and I had the same issue. I bought a highchair that reclines. I put it on the tallest height setting, recline it all the way and put it near me in the kitchen while I cook. If you talk to her lots and remain upbeat, she should stay entertained. A few more months and you can start giving her peas or cereal to snack on on the tray. My daughter loved the swing too, but would cry if I wasn't in the same room, so I sometimes brought the swing into the kitchen.

Ditto the swing or playpen in the kitchen.

Another thing I did was to cook during afternoon naptime. Then everything's ready, just needs to be heated up or eaten at room temp. For times when I didn't want to cook at naptime I would:

- Ring for pizza or Papa Murphys
- Microwave meals...I've become a fan of Claim Jumper and michelangelos frozen lasagna/eggplant parmesean
- Sandwiches, glorious sandwiches
- Put a casserole in the oven from the freezer (aka making double and freezing, or cooking ahead of time...one dish meals
- Frozen mini chicken tacos (or burritos, or x/y/z)...frozen things that you just slide on a tray, and come back to 20 minutes later.

I agree that there is definitely some cooking you can't do while wearing your infant. For safety don't wear your baby when they could get splattered with grease or steam or anything else you think is dangerous.
some cooking you just may need to wait till dad is home. find recipes that don't take too long (Rachael Ray has 30min or less meals) so at least your separation is less. Your baby is old enough that you could put her in a safe place like crib or packnplay while you cook. Maybe take short breaks to assure your baby of your presence.

GOOD FOR YOU for not putting her in front of a tv -- there's PLENTY of time for that wayyyyyyyy later. ( some say- after she learns to read--- but certainly - for preschool years--- there is a need for LIMITS to screen time-- imo) For right now--- try these ideas:
a reclining bouncy seat??-- her own kicking, wriggling and so forth will keep her bouncing - some babies love that

put her seat ( bouncy or not) in front of a mirror - so she sees her own movements-- many babies love that

a swing????

( a far out suggestion- but it worked like a charm 38 years ago - and many times since-- some babies are very soothed by vibrations- turn the dish-washer or clothes washer on and see if putting the seat against the door soothes baby--you'd be surprised ---)

Blessings,
J. aka- Old Mom

The Moby Wrap was my lifesaver! I could put my newborn baby on my back (there's a million videos on You Tube demonstrating how). Then I could work with knives and around the stove without fear of her getting burned. If my husband or someone else was around, I would either have them do the "dangerous" part of cooking, or have them hold the baby.

For a while, you may need to get creative with meals. On days when you have help, make large quantities, freeze individual poritons and then cooking is relieved on those days you need to hold your baby. Or, the slow cooker is a great friend too! First thing in the morning, chop up some meat, veggies, spices, etc and let them cook all day. Dinner is ready anytime you are able to take a break in the evening. Plus you have the added benefit of the nutrients being trapped in the juice/broth by the lid. As long as you eat the juice/broth from the cooker, you are getting all the nutrition you would normally loose from steaming, frying or other methods of cooking veggies!

As she gets a little older, keep working on distraction methods like other moms suggested, toys, swings, bouncers. My daughter loved being near me and enjoyed my talking to her and telling her each thing I was doing. At 11 months old, she was already stringing 5 words together and at 18 months old, speaking very clearly with complex sentences. I believe this is entirely due to the constant interaction she had with me vocalizing my actions throughout the day. She can speak and articulate very well and at 3 years old, many people assume she is much older because of it.

So holding your daughter and having her in your arms, worn close to you and involved is great! Enjoy it and know you are meeting many needs to that help her thrive!

J.,

Just in case you don't have a baby gym or room for one),here's what we did:

My son had a moses basket and lots of floor pads (just thick, soft blankets, not too fluffy, to cushion him) that we used. We found a safe place for him, then made a baby gym out of a long piece of string (twine, yarn, hemp cord) and those links you can get everywhere. We just put knots in it to hold the links in place and then were able to attach toys to hang down. The string was looped big on one side to fit over doorknobs, cabinet knobs, etc, and then we fastened the other side tight to make sure it wouldn't be too long. (The point of this is that this string was usable anywhere in the house...and we used it everywhere.)

The bouncy seat in a safe place is also a good idea. I personally would never place a bouncy seat on the table, or a bumbo for that matter...I've heard too many horror stories about these things tipping over. It's a long way for baby to fall and you just don't want the people in the ER looking at you *that* way. However, if you have a screen door that goes down to the floor, your little one might like to look outside!

One other thing to consider would be to hire someone in for a few hours while you made two or three meals at once. Some indredients flex well, like tomato sauce...you can use it for pasta, lasagna (use no-boil noodles) and on a pizza. You can make lots of pasta dishes by using a pasta cooker insert and boiling all your pasta in turns w/out having to bring the water completely up to a boill again; just pull insert out, drain pasta in a collander and toss with sauce or olive oil and refrigerate.

My son, by the way, loved when I brought the food prep down to his level on the floor. Wash your produce and set up a work station nearby...just save peppers, garlic and onions for the countertop, as they contain stinging oils, liquids and seeds.

Hope this gives you a few ideas!

the bouncy seat and play pen are good ideas, and then the high chair as she gets older. Cooking is a great time to teach her and expand her vocabulary, and a really great bonding time. Tell her all about what you are doing or sing to her. "this is a pot, it is black" "this is a zuccini, it is green and white, I am slicing it into a round shape" abc & counting to 20 are good things to do to, but I usually did that in the car, and she will still recite them sometimes when she is falling to sleep. Enjoy your baby!

I went through a simular situation with my son when he was that age. What I did was to try and do the prep work for my meals ahead of time, like when he was napping. That way all I had to do was toss every thing in the oven or stove and then I was free to hold him or play with him while everything was cooking. I also got one of those little tent things that they can lay on and it has toys hanging from it so they have something interesting to look at. This would only occupy him for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time, but it was enough to stir dinner or take it out of the oven.

I would just set up one of those play things and maybe an infant chair/rocker. I would put them close enough that you can see the baby but far enough away that any spills that might happen aren't going to get baby. When baby gets fussy, move her. Also, a big thing is to not worry about the time it takes to cook dinner. These things are just going to take longer. You will have to stop and play with baby for a couple minutes.

OH! One last thing I learned after burning several dinners... cook on a lower heat than you used to. Inevitably you will get 'called away' from the kitchen. Cooking on a lower heat will lesson your chances of a wasted dinner :)

Good luck!

1)PRACTICE SEPARATION/INDEPENDENCE=If you have enough room in the kitchen or near enough for her to see her, get high chair that has a infant setting (one that is more of a reclining position.) or a baby-rocking seat/play chair. At least she will be able to see you, as as she grows you can give her toys or even plastic dishes/pots n pans for her to play with as she sits in the high chair. Someday you can have her help you with stirring or making a salad. Or if you have a doorway you can place the chair/toy are there. Even her car seat would work. Just someplace safe for her to sit/lay/recline and see you or play peek-a-boo. She doesn't have to have her eyes on you all the time. If you have a hanging toy mobile near/over her that is a good play time for her too. This would also be a good time for a friend to come over and play with baby and talk catch up with you.
2)CHANGE COOKING TECHNIQUE=Try a crockpot. There are lots of websites with recipies, and then there is no standing over the hot stove with your baby. Or baking rather than stove top cooking. Casseroles, one-pan recipies, etc. Salads and fresh fruit don't splatter grease.
JUST SOME IDEAS.
-j

The Ergo baby carrier allows you to put the child on your back (as well as front and hip). We loved it and used it a ton with our two kids.

Get a baby swing, they are priceless. Set it somewhere she can still see you while you are cooking, or in front of a window, or under a ceiling fan.

I cooked with my daughter in a backpack when she was about 9 months. She refused to be put down at that age and it worked very good for that purpose.

Your instinct is right: You should not cook while wearing your baby on your chest. Grease splatters, steam burns, nicking your fingers for not being able to see them...These are all real possibilities. Swing, bouncy seat, playpen. Those are all great options.

We used her activity gym on the floor somewhere where she could see us, or I put her in her bouncer up on the table so she could see. (I know, I know the tag commands you to leave them on the floor.) I just talked to her and walked over the shake a toy or give kisses every minute or two between ingredients.

Happy cooking!

How about a baby backpack? Then she's still up, but not in the way!

When my 1 yr old was very small, the swing would satisfy her for hours. When she was old enough to get out of that, the adjustable bouncy gym worked till she could crawl.

what about a bouncy seat up on the counter or table near you so she could see you but not be close to the stove but close enough for you to interact with her. What about a Bumbo, my little guy loved his. An exersaucer brought into the kitchen, put a blanket behind her if she is too small.

Since she is a little young to be carried on your back, I would second the bouncy seat or something similar. Putting her on the floor under a baby gym - just outside of you cooking area, but still in sight might work too (it did for us).
On days were she just needs to be hold try cooking like a TV-cook: put out all your ingredients on the counter so you don't need to reach for them when in the middle of things, and have a small bowl handy for your trash.
I also found it convenient to prepare large meals when someone else (Daddy?) was around to hold her and then freeze it for later use.

Don't fret, in a few months she will happily sit at your feet with a bunch of tupperware or you can carry her on your back.
Good luck!

Jaime,
Try an activity pad/tunnel on the floor. You can put her in it and lie down next to her to get her to be comfortable in it without you holding her. Once she is comfortable with it you can place her in it while you cook.
Another option, a glider or bouncy seat and you can play music in the kitchen and dance in front of her while you cook. And my last suggestion, the good ol' car seat in the kitchen placed where she can see you, with a toy or 2 on the handle.

Put her in a bouncey. My daughter was in one all the time when I was in the kitchen.

I'd recommend a bouncy chair. (Our favorite is the basic Fisher Price one. I think they're about $30.) I've used this with both of my daughters. You can either put baby in it on the floor to watch you, or on the counter if it's big enough (and baby will be NO WHERE near the edge). The chair has a bar above with toys hanging down, or you can give her something else to hold onto. My girls always liked having a "new" view of things, and I'd just talk to them, giving a running commentary of what I was doing in the kitchen.

you can put her in a high chair, the kind that has straps to support her until she can sit on her own near you in the kitchen so she has your presence, when she's older, try putting her in the sling on your back.

There are backpacks for small infants. You could keep her on your back. Some children like to cling and suddenly at eight or nine months of age are busy exploring the floor and the other things they can get to on their own.
Every stage with a baby lasts less than a year. Enjoy the closeness.

When my babies were little I used to put them in their bouncer and put it on the counter. Make sure she can see you. Wander over there every few minutes give her a funny face and a silly noise or something like that. It worked for my kids. I hope it works for you two. Good luck!

The Ergo baby carrier is the best. You can carry baby on the back, front or side. My little one loves it and we use for everything, even hiking. It is made to help posture as well.

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

Good Luck!

If you don't have a bouncy seat yet, I highly recommend you get one. All three of my kids LOVED them as babies. They are not super expensive ($20-$30 new) and you should be able to find a used one fairly cheap. They have ones that vibrate and have toy bars. I used mine especially for cooking and showers. I would put the bouncy chair on the table when my kids were real little so they could still see me.

Your instincts are right don't put her in fron of a TV. Children shouldn't watch TV before the are 6 years of age & then it should be limited to 30 minutes a day.
Get a carrier & put her on your back she just wants to be close to you & up high to see more. Make sure it's easy to get in & out of & good on your back.

You might try manipulating her schedule slightly so she feeds and is content when you need to get dinner ready. I put the baby swing (or bouncy chair on the counter) nearby so I could smile at her and she could see me. I agree, cooking with a baby attached to you is not safe and at this age my daughter was transitioning into some "independant time". IE not holding her every waking moment but keeping her happy and close by. I now own an Ergo baby carrier but they are intended for larger babies unless you have the infant insert but it still must be worn with the infant in front, not on your back. Good luck and happy cooking :)

I found the Moby wrap to be the most "hands free" baby carrier. It's a bit daunting at first, but after a couple tries you get the hang of it. It also offers the ability to carry baby in the front, back or on your hip.

At that age, we would put my daughter in the swing and turn it so she could see us in the kitchen, but she was away from any splatter. As she got older but couldn't yet sit well, I started wearing her on my back when cooking. That's how I did all my Christmas baking the first year! One she got strong enough to crawl and roll, we just put her on the floor in the playroom where we can easily see her from the kitchen. We also did a doorway jumper for a little while, but you can't use that just yet. I'd also try doing the prep work for cooking while she's napping and then when she's awake, it's simply heat and eat.

I love our Moby carrier and both my husband and I were able to cook with my son when he was that little because it could cover all of him. It allowed me definitely to do things like cutting and chopping. Give it a go! Good luck!

We put a playpen in the kitchen, so my daughter can always see me when I cook, but she can't get underfoot. Your little one probably couldn't get under foot yet, but a playpen is a safe place to be, and if you have one of those baby gym things, she could be well entertained for a while.