Working from home with a baby brings a new meaning to the term ‘multi-tasking’. If you’ve ever had to manage a Zoom meeting with a tiny tot in tow, you know the drill. Say for example: it’s your turn to present, and just as you unmute, your little bundle of joy decides it’s the perfect moment for a vocal solo.
That’s exactly what happened to me, but thankfully, a teething toy was within arm’s reach. To my amazement, it worked like a charm, keeping her blissfully quiet while I delivered my report! This serendipitous discovery kicked off my journey to find creative and simple ways to keep my baby entertained while I work.
In this blog post, we’ll explore a treasure trove of practical ideas—from transforming a corner of your office into a colorful baby station complete with engaging toys to unconventional playthings found right in your kitchen. Buckle up for an insightful ride into parenting hacks that meld productivity with playtime!
Portable Play Stations
Create a portable play-station that can be easily moved around your home, allowing you to focus on work while keeping an eye on your baby. To set up a play station:
- Get a comfortable floor mat or playpen
- Include age-appropriate toys, such as stacking cups, shape sorters, and rattles
- Add soft pillows or blankets for added comfort
Rotate the toys in the play station regularly to maintain your baby’s interest and introduce new learning experiences.
Baby-Friendly Office Supplies
Give your baby their own set of office supplies. Fill a drawer or basket with items like Post-it notes, stickers, and colored pencils. Babies love exploring new things, and they’ll have a great time playing with these items while you work. Just make sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t stick the Post-it notes everywhere.
Independent Reading Corner
Being read to or exploring books on their own has countless benefits for babies, including building vocabulary, language skills, and cognitive abilities. Create a cozy reading nook where your baby can explore books independently:
- Provide a comfortable blanket or cushioned mat
- Include a variety of age-appropriate books with bright, colorful illustrations
- Add soft toys or cushions themed around literacy (e.g., alphabet blocks) to further encourage
reading
Remember to also set aside time during your work breaks to actively read with your baby, engaging them in storytelling and bonding moments.
Virtual Babysitting:
Hiring a virtual babysitter is the easiest yet the most underutilized way of keeping your baby occupied. You can hire a babysitter to engage with your baby via video call while you work. This will keep your baby engaged with someone, and you can work in peace.
Learning Games
Babies are always keen on learning and discovering new things. What better way to keep them engaged than by playing games that promote their cognitive and physical development? Here are some ideas:
- Activity Gyms: Look for one that has various textures, colors, and shapes to explore. These gyms come with dangling toys, mirrors, and noisemakers, all of which help promote your baby’s sensory
development. - Shape Sorters: As your baby grows, they can start to learn about shapes and colors by sorting various objects into their correct spaces.
- Stacking Toys: Encourage your baby to build towers using stacking rings, blocks, or cups, which help develop their hand-eye coordination.
Set up a safe and cozy play area
First and foremost, you need to create a designated play area for your baby that is safe, comfortable, and age-appropriate. Depending on your space and budget, you can choose a playpen, a baby gate, a playmat, or even a cozy tent or teepee. Fill the area with toys, books, and interactive games that your baby enjoys. Try to rotate the toys regularly to keep things fresh and exciting. You can also play soft music, sing songs, or narrate stories while your baby plays.
Music and Dance Time
Music not only calms your baby but also helps develop their auditory senses and an appreciation for melodies and rhythms. Take advantage of baby-friendly playlists on streaming services, or sing nursery rhymes and songs. For an interactive experience, engage your baby in dancing, clapping, or playing with musical instruments such as shakers or drums. Here’s what you can do:
- Instruments: Look for baby-safe instruments, such as shakers, maracas, or tambourines, that allow them to explore different sounds.
- Singing: Use nursery rhymes or sing simple songs to your little ones, encouraging them to mimic or dance to them.
- Playlists: Create playlists with different genres to see which ones your baby responds most positively to. This will also come in handy during naptimes!
- Musical toys: Colorful musical toys with buttons to press can keep your baby engaged by stimulating their senses and encouraging them to explore.
- Dance breaks: Schedule short, periodic dance breaks to engage with your baby while getting a bit of movement yourself. This is a great way to have a little bonding time while taking a break from work.
Window clings
Window clings are an excellent way to entertain your baby while you work. They are easy to apply to windows and can be removed and reused repeatedly. Your baby will love looking at the colorful shapes and watching as you move them around. Window clings are also a great way to improve your baby’s visual development and hand-eye coordination.
Story Time & Audiobooks
Reading to your baby offers numerous benefits, from developing their cognitive and linguistic abilities to bonding with them. Here are some ways to incorporate reading into your baby’s day:
- Picture Books: Choose age-appropriate books with engaging illustrations that will captivate your baby’s interest.
- Read-Aloud: Experiment with different voices and expressions to make story time more interactive and exciting for your little one.
- Storytelling: Make up your own stories, using your baby's toys as characters for a more immersive experience.
- Audiobooks: Find age-appropriate audiobooks and let your baby listen to them with child-safe headphones or on a speaker. Make sure to select options with engaging tone and tempo to get your baby’s attention.
Rotate Toys and Activities
Babies can easily become bored with the same toys and activities, so it's essential to rotate them to keep your little one engaged and interested. Swap out toys and learning materials every week or two, and introduce new items gradually. This will not only keep your baby entertained but also help them develop new skills.
Sensory Play
Babies are naturally curious, and sensory play can help enhance their curiosity, stimulate their senses, and improve their fine motor skills. Here’s how:
- Sensory Bins: Fill a shallow container with different textures, such as rice, pasta, or water beads. Add some child-safe objects of various shapes and sizes and let your baby explore.
- Texture Mats: Create a mat with different fabrics and materials, and watch your baby’s reaction to each new sensation.
- Mess-Free Painting: Seal different colored paints in a plastic bag and tape it to your baby’s highchair or play area, allowing them to squish, poke, and squeeze the paint without making a mess.
- Homemade sensory bottles: Fill clear, plastic bottles with various objects like beads, buttons, or pom-poms. Make sure the bottles are well-sealed and supervised during play.
Please ensure the safety of your baby during sensory play. Be watchful for potential hazards like choking or the ingestion of objects they should not have.
Screen Time:
While screen time should be limited for babies, it can be used in moderation to keep them engaged while you work. Choose age-appropriate shows or apps that promote learning and development.
Plan meal and snack times
Babies need frequent feeding and snacking, and these can be great opportunities for you to bond with your little one. Instead of rushing through meal times, you can make them more enjoyable by sitting down together, singing songs, and making silly faces. You can also introduce new foods and tastes to your baby and encourage them to try new things. Snack times can be more relaxed and informal, but you can still make them fun by offering nutritious and tasty
snacks that your baby likes.
Learning games and activities
Parents can introduce learning games that are age-appropriate to keep their baby entertained. These activities usually involve a level of cognitive development along with some play elements.
- Shape sorters and stacking rings: You can keep your baby occupied with toys that require sorting
- shapes or stacking rings in a specific order. These games aid in the development of their motor skills and cognitive abilities.
- Alphabet and number puzzles: Opt for large, soft foam puzzles that are easier for babies to handle.These puzzles aid in language development and recognition of letters and numbers.
Always ensure that your baby is playing with toys free from small parts or choking hazards. Proper supervision is needed even with age-appropriate toys.
Treasure baskets
A treasure basket is a collection of everyday objects that are safe for your baby to touch and explore. Fill a basket with items like wooden spoons, scarves, toothbrushes, and anything else that is safe and interesting for your baby. Treasure baskets are an excellent way to promote independent play and encourage your baby’s curiosity.
Baby-proof play areas
Creating a designated play area for your baby can help provide a safe environment for them to explore and entertain themselves.
- Set up a play yard: Invest in a play yard or playpen to create a confined, safe space where your baby can play with toys. Add soft floor mats for extra comfort and safety.
- Baby-proof your room: Be sure to cover electrical outlets, pad sharp corners on furniture, and remove any hazardous items from your baby
Use a Baby Monitor to Keep an Eye on Your Baby
Invest in a quality baby monitor that has a reliable range. This way, you can keep an eye on your child while working in another room, without the risk of them getting up to mischief. A baby monitor with a built-in camera and night vision is an excellent option because it allows you to see your baby even when the room is dark.
Interactive Learning Stations
Create different stations around your home for your baby to explore and learn. Each station should include a variety of toys, books, and learning tools that cater to your baby’s age and development. For example, you can set up a:
- Sensory Station: Include textured toys, rattles, and soft blocks for your baby to touch and feel.
- Reading Corner: Create a cozy spot with a comfortable chair or cushion and stack a small collection of baby books within reach.
- Music Center: Introduce rhythm and melody through age-appropriate musical instruments like baby-sized drums, xylophones, or maracas.
Create a Baby Station in Your Work Area
Set up a playpen area or a baby swing in your work area. You can also create an interactive mobile or hanging object for your baby to play with while you work. Keeping your baby in your workspace will enable you to watch them while you work without disrupting your workflow.
Offer Multi-purpose Toys
Get more mileage from your baby’s toys by selecting items that offer multiple learning and entertainment possibilities. For example, a set of soft stacking cups can also be used as bath toys or shape-sorting objects. Another great option is a quality activity center, which incorporates various toys and features catering to different developmental stages.
Encourage Independent Play
While it’s essential to interact and engage with your baby regularly, teaching them to enjoy independent play is also beneficial. To help your baby develop their independence and imagination, you can:
- Provide access to safe and age-appropriate toys, puzzles, and art materials.
- Set up a cozy play space with a playmat or comfortable rug to encourage your baby to explore on their own.
- Schedule a dedicated ” independent playtime ” each day, so your baby becomes accustomed to the routine.
Remember to supervise your baby during independent play, especially if they are very young or mobile.
Incorporate Your Baby Into Your Work
If possible, incorporate your baby into your work. If you’re working on the computer, place your baby on your lap or on a baby carrier. You can also give them soft toys to play with while you work. This way, your baby will not feel left out while you work, and you’ll still be able to give them attention even while working.
Use a baby carrier or wrap
Another great way to keep your baby close and content while you work is by using a baby carrier or wrap. These are especially useful for younger babies who love being held and snuggled. With a carrier, you can carry your baby on your chest or back and work with your hands free. This way, your baby can feel your warmth, listen to your heartbeat, and observe your movements, while you get your work done.
Simple DIY Crafts:
Creating your DIY craft with your baby can be a great way to bond and keep them entertained. For instance, creating DIY blocks or a sensory board with cardboard boxes, ribbons, and different textures can teach your baby fine motor and cognitive skills while keeping them busy.
Take breaks and play with your baby
Last but not least, it’s important to take breaks from work and play with your baby. Set a timer or a schedule for, yourself and try to take short breaks every hour or so. During these breaks, you can interact with your baby, cuddle, read, or play together. This way, you can minimize screen time, reduce stress, and improve your bond with your baby.
Conclusion:
The key to successful parenting while working from home is to stay organized and creative in finding ways to keep your baby entertained and stimulated. It may take some practice but the rewards are well worth it—peace of mind, uninterrupted work sessions, a better-rested baby, and even more quickly developing skills for your child. You’ve got this!
Who believed babies and remote working could coexist!
Now you can officially be one of those Supermoms (or Superdads!) who make it look effortless. I bet you can’t wait to show off
those new parental multitasking skills! Good luck on your journey!
