One suggestion would be to begin wearing your baby for some time during the day. It will not only free up your hands to get things done but there are huge benefits for your little one. I still wear my baby (now 21 months)! When babies are worn it often promotes a sense of calm. They hear noises that seem very frightening when they are by themselves but now they hear them and can actually physically feel your reaction... they know, mommy's heart does not race when she hears that strange creaking noise. They are also up where all the action is... when you walk around the house or go shopping you can easily talk to them about what you are doing and all of the exciting things you see... "mom is going to put the yellow bowl in the cabinet." And they are much closer to eye-level so they see what you see. When you chat with friends they are no longer looking at people's ankles... they can track your conversations and watch for expressions and reactions. Some studies have shown babies that are worn to have increased intelligence and development. Dr. Sears has alot of info on baby wearing-- I included a small bit below. He also talks alot about the importance of attending to your baby's needs... when you come to your young baby when they cry you are not tying yourself to them in a negative way... you are establishing a sense of trust. Your baby knows that if they are frightened and need your help you will come. They cry because they can't just say "mom, what the heck was that sound it totally freaked me out!" or "I am all kinds of bored can you entertain me PLEASE!" A friend of mine had a simmilar issue with her child. She was so exhausted trying to develop a routine to keep him content. She took him from swing, to play mat, to video, etc. all trying to help him develop properly. He just cried and she stressed out! She bought a
Moby baby wrap and began wearing him... MAGIC... he was a content baby! I wear my daughter to sleep when she is hyped up for naps and bedtime. It is like a drug... she can even fuss all the way into the wrap and then "boom" once she is snug against me she is content! I use a
Baby K'tan. It is super comfortable even if you have back issues. And I use an
Ergo Baby Carrier for when I am out and about.
As your baby receives reassurance from you through being worn and gaining greater understanding of all the noises and such around him. I think he will be more secure in being on the floor. I would stay and play with him and then gradually move away. Set him at your feet while you fold towels on the couch. That sort of thing.
When my daughter was younger she would have days where she was happy to be exploring on her own and days where she needed to be with me. And she still does.
She began crawling at 9 months and started running about 6 weeks later! And now she is absolutely unstoppable! Her first day going down a slide on her own she chose to go down face first! She is physically, mentally and emotionally well developed. You are obviously doing a good job of showing your child that you will be there for him when he needs it. I would not worry about the crawling it will come. Chances are there is going to come a time when you are left crying because he is growing up much to fast and does not want to be held! Motherhood can be so bittersweet!
People have been baby-wearing probably since the dawn of time. And it works! I really think it might help to lessen both of your stress. It has definitely been a help to me!
Here is the small excerpt from Dr. Sears article on baby wearing. (The full article can be found at
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp#T051201 )
WEARING BABY IN A SLING
A baby carrier will be your most useful fuss- preventing tool. Infant development researchers who study babycare practices in America and other cultures are unanimous in reporting: infants who are carried more cry less. In fact, research has shown that babies who are carried at least three hours a day cry forty percent less than infants who aren't carried as much. Over the years in pediatric practice, I have listened and watched veteran baby-calmers and heard a recurrent theme: "As long as I have my baby in my arms or on my body she's content." This observation led us to popularize the term "babywearing." "Wearing" means more than just picking up baby and putting him in a carrier when he fusses. It means carrying baby many hours a day before baby needs to fuss. This means the carrier you choose must be easy to use and versatile. (We have found the sling-type carrier to be the most conducive to babywearing. Baby becomes like part of your apparel, and you can easily wear your baby in a sling at least several hours a day.) Mothers who do this tell us: "My baby seems to forget to fuss." The sling is not only helpful for high-need babies it's essential. Here's why babywearing works:
The outside womb. Being nestled in the arms, against the chest, and near the parent's face gives baby the most soothing of all environments. Mother's walking motion "reminds" baby of the rhythm he enjoyed while in the womb. The sling encircles and contains the infant who would otherwise waste energy flinging his arms and legs around, randomly attempting to settle himself. The worn baby is only a breath away from his parent's voice, the familiar sound he has grown to associate with feeling good. Babies settle better in this "live" environment than they do when parked in swings or plastic infant seats.
Sights aplenty. Being up in arms gives baby a visual advantage. He now can have a wider view of his world. Up near adult eye level, there are more visual attractions to distract baby from fussing. The distressed infant can now pick from a wide array of ever—changing scenery—select what delights him, and shut out what disturbs him. And seen from such a secure perch, even the
disturbing sights soon become interesting rather than frightening. Ins.eplay
The expanding mind of a growing infant is like a video library containing thousands of tapes. These tapes record behavior patterns that baby has learned to anticipate as either soothing or disturbing. Babywearing mothers tell us: "As soon as I put on the sling, my baby's face lights up with delight, and he stops fussing." The scene of mother putting on the sling triggers a replay in baby's mind of all the pleasant memories she's experienced in mother's arms, and she can anticipate the pleasant interaction that is soon to follow. She stops fussing. She's no longer bored.
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