BF with a toddler to entertain - how did you do it?

[Lewis's Mummy]

My last resort () is to get the vaccum or broom out just before I BF - for some barmy reason my DS1 is a cleaning nut and he'll happily "vaccum" or "sweep" for 15-20 mins, which covers DS2's BFing.

lol I have a cleaning nut too! So will definitely keep that one in mind! I can't vacuum or sweep without being told 'no mummy, me do, my turn!'

[AndiE]

Ha ha, how much do you want to bet that by the time they're in their teens they're allergic to the vaccum cleaner!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

I am going through it at the moment and you honestly just learnt to deal... DD1 is nearly 17mths old and is a climber, the other day i was feeding in the lounge, she was a little quiet so i came out with bubs still attached under 1 arm to find DD1 ON MY DINING TABLE!

I have a ring sling and REALLY need to figure out how to use it, it would come in handy to feed and chase DD1 at the same time.

1 thing i have found though is DD1 doesn't seem to be jealous, while i feed it actually tends to be that she is happy to occupy herself, she sits and pretends to read her books, we have given her a doll in a pram and she walks it around the lounge.
When i burp DD2 she comes up, moves my hand and taps her on the back and then gets the cloth and wipes her mouth. and it's the most gorgeous thing i have seen.

If we are out and i have to feed she WONT sit still in a pram so i find a parents room that has the toys or an area she can be 'locked' in and she just plays and i might as well not be there!

[Liviam]

Like the girls have said it just happens and you will be amazed at what you can do when you are b/f #2. DD decided to TT when DS was born so poor DS was dragged to the potty so many times during feeds (DD's way to get my attention too). I used to get a big bowl of fruit ready in the morning for DD and then would get that out for her and a drink of water before I would start a feed, I would pop in the night garden on the telly, she also liked me to read her books which I really enjoyed as she would sit between my legs and read to me and DS. Another one of her favourites was to "help" me feed. She would tell DS it was time for a feed, lift up my shirt, undo my bra and shove his head at my breast telling him "mulk time". It really did only take a few weeks and she would start to entertain herself during feeds. DS was and still is a super quick feeder so I didn't need to entertain her for long.
As for relaxing during a b/f I loved the overnight feeds when it was just me and DS up so we would snuggle under a blanket together and have a beautiful feed and that special time. I love my night feeds. I actually think maz started a whole thread about them.
Good luck when #2 arrives.

[Lozza]

My ds1 was 16months when i had my ds2 im still breastfeeding ds2 is only 8 weeks old i just put him in the highchair and give him a snack and put a dvd on keep one dvd for feeding time and my ds1 will be happy for hours in his highchair as long as there is food