Getting farm chores done when you have a baby - any tips?

[Hamptons06]

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Ditto! I don't have all that stuff to do but my indoor chores can be much since I have 4 kids and 2 are homeschooled plus the 6mo baby. I HIGHLY recommend getting a Moby Wrap. I use it everywhere!!

 

[Beekissed]

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Staying with the baby 24/7 can include keeping that baby near while you work outdoors. As the child grows this can become quite a bonding and learning experience for both mother and child. My mother raised 9 children and didn't slow down her work for one second. Some kinds of work are necessary and some are not, but either way, it doesn't hurt to leave a child alone in a playpen or on a blanket to entertain themselves within sight of a mother doing chores. Children need some alone time also, to learn to entertain themselves and explore their own body movements and their sight/sound environment.

Though I wouldn't take a baby on a tractor with me, there are numerous outside chores that can be done with the baby/child close by or even in a pack.

 

[StupidBird]

Ditto a zillion times for the back pack baby carrier Also, I used a small tent leaving all the flaps to the screens open, set up next to my work or play area (ok, I used it at the lake as a playpen too). It only needs to be bug proof and baby proof. Of course once the zipper were figured out, I got a lot less done! My chores really fell apart when the baby got mobile.

 

[augustmomx2]

I completely agree with the others, babywearing is the way to go. I have never used one of these, but I have heard rave reviews about the ergo carrier http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ I used to belong to a mommys board and the woman on there sweared by them. Another benefit to them, is that it can be used on toddlers as well.

For the dangerous jobs, I would try to shove in as much as you can when the baby is sleeping. Kids are flexible, you'll figure it out how to make it work

 

[vicki2x2]

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Yeah, but what if she has more kids? That could go on for many, many years if she has a big family. Not very practical for a farm. Yes, things might have to change a little, but it can be done.

 

[FarmerChick]

oh another thing I did was buy one of those walker toy things

left it at the barn........I carried Nicole to the barn and propped her up in that walker thing and did chores.

she had a blast watching life and I knew she was contained and all worked fine.



so be sure you have a tool at the barn area or wherever to help you.



I wouldn't carry her in a sling or backpack when feeding animals and such. I have been knocked down by my bull, beat up severly by my buck Boer goat, and would never take a chance on having her directly with me in the path of some animals.....so just use the "good old precaution" method.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

This is probably why I think I'd make an awful mother...

I'd put a baby monitor in there and until it started crying do my chores. What do I care if it wakes up and just sits there looking at the ceiling???


But then again, I have zero children!

 

[sparkles2307]

I might have been a mean mom, but I basically made sure from day one that as long as they were fed and warm and dry I got stuff done. If they cried just for wanting to be held I would talk and let them know I was in the room but I would get my stuff done. My kids have always been great self-soothers, and very independent and play well alone. 4 weeks is little, enjoy being able to spend all that time with baby cause they grow fast, but once baby knows you're going to come back you can start letting them fuss a bit and learning to soothe themselves so that mom can get her chores done.

 

[FarmerChick]

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LOL you say that cause you ain't got one right now....but if you had a kid, your mind goes to that kid.

baby monitor not "speaking to you"---you would still have to run up to the house and check...LOL-LOL

You just got'to!!!!

it is built into most moms to check and protect...

but until you are there, you don't see it.....I never did. I said I would do this X, Y if I had a kid.
Well I had one...wow is it different.

 

[joebryant]

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Yeah, but what if she has more kids? That could go on for many, many years if she has a big family. Not very practical for a farm. Yes, things might have to change a little, but it can be done.

This is why I thank God that I'm not a woman, but if I were, I'D NEVER GET MARRIED, but if I did, I'D NEVER HAVE CHILDREN.