out growing the exo-saucer, looking for other ideas

Jessica - posted on 12/31/2010

I usually put my 18 month old in the shower with me or wait til its nap time or bedtime. Ive never left him unattended while showering or strapped into something. He gets into everything and even w a child proof house he would find something to get into trouble with!! He just sits down in the shower w a slip proof mat and plays w cups and stuff. I would never leave him eating unattended just incase he were to choke, You never know. Also my son never would sit in any of those "contraptions" he is too busy and I def wouldnt try to put him in 1 since he could walk at 9 months. Looks like you got a lot of great suggestions. Goodluck you will figure out what works for you 2.

Becky - posted on 12/19/2010

If I run into this situation while I'm home alone with my daughter, I will either wait until she takes a nap to shower or, if we have plans to go somewhere, I'll shut our bedroom door and let her play with toys while I'm in the shower (with the door open). She loves doing this and will come "check" on me every now and then. I wouldn't put him in the highchair with food and leave him unattended though, just in case he needs help with his snack!

Diane - posted on 12/18/2010

I totally agree with not using most of the modern contraptions, and letting the child loose in kid-proof zones. Modern contraptions such as the exo-saucer are ok when a baby can't really walk, but they truly confine your child and prevent true exploration of our world. Many parents see these items at the stores, etc...and are fooled into thinking that they NEED these things. If your 18 month old is anything like mine, he is way to curious and hates being confined to a small space ( like you mentioned, yours hates the pack n play). They key is to have a kid-proof home. It will make your life SO much easier- works great for us.

Kristin - posted on 12/18/2010

I lock us both inside the bathroom and give him a drawer full of toys to play with. We change out the toys every month or so and he seems happy.

Tracey - posted on 12/17/2010

I rarely hava a shower by myself!! My 18month old son will shower with me - he has toys (old shampoo bottles, lids a few animals) on the floor of the shower and plays happily while I shower - some mornings I can get dressed, brush my teeth AND put make-up on while he plays in the shower - I figure he is getting clean and not getting upset by being locked away from me (he can be VERY clingy). He knows our morning routine, when I tell hime I am going for a showerm he goes and gets his towel!

Kandace - posted on 12/17/2010

honestly i put mine in his room with his toys ..... its baby proofed everything is safe and i close the door! im only a few minutes and its not any worse than putting him into a play pen with toys!

Meaghn - posted on 12/17/2010

I didn't think you were supposed to use an excersaucer or Jolly Jumper once your child could walk, as it becomes a safety hazard. The infant/toddler rocker is not meant as a restraint system for a toddler, but rather as a seat for them, the restraint part is for an infant. If it's just for when you have a shower, why not get child locks on your lower cabinets and a toilet lock then just bring in some toys and have your little one play on the floor in the bathroom. This is what I did with my first, and now with my second the first keeps her entertained in the playroom (granted I need to take quicker showers now :P) If you make the area safe, then you don't need a restraint for your child.

Danielle - posted on 12/16/2010

I have started getting my daughter used to playing in her room or in our room with a toy/books/puzzles, but so far I have not had to use that while I shower.

I used to put a baby gate up keeping her OUT Of the bathroom but with the door open so she could come see me, but couldn't get in open the curtain and cry her head off for me to pick her up and get all wet in the process.

That worked ok depending on her mood.

Tough call though, just have to foster "independence" even though that is really hard!

Crystal - posted on 12/15/2010

have you tried play pen my son jumps out of that

Belinda - posted on 12/15/2010

Our bathtub is separate from our shower. I make sure the bathtub is dry and put my 17 month old in there with some toys to play. Just as good as a pack-n-play, but she doesn't scream in the bathtub like she does in the pack-n-play. BTW - make sure your little one can't get to the knobs to turn the water on.

Doni - posted on 12/15/2010

I usually shower while my daughter is napping or I just let her run free in the 3 rooms we have toddler proffed. I keep the door open and turn on our baby monitor so I can alwyas hear her. She's fine with it and almost never gets into trouble ;) Although lately I've found it even easier to just take a bath together, that's her favorite!

Brenda - posted on 12/13/2010

Melissa I do the same thing. I just put on her favorite cartoon and leave the bathroom door open. She will watch her show and come into the bathroom to say hi then go back to her show.

Melissa - posted on 12/13/2010

I know this sounds bad but I just my 18 month old on my bed and turn on cartoons for him... he loves it! It's not everyday but on the days I over sleep or my husband is not at home.

Brittany - posted on 12/12/2010

Instead of buying another "contraption" is it possible to just shower early in the morning before he is awake, during his nap time, or after you put him to bed??

Lady Heather - posted on 12/12/2010

I have the FP chair and while it's great that she can still use it, she does NOT like being strapped in while I have a shower anymore. When they get that big the toy bar is all in their face so you have to take it off and then there is nothing for them to do. Bo-ring.

I put her in her crib with some toys (I can see her crib from the shower if the doors are open). Sometimes she gets mad about that. Sometimes I just wait until my husband is home to shower. A lot of my friends just totally toddler-proof their bathrooms and let them run wild in there. I suspect strapping your older child down will not be a positive experience.

Michelle - posted on 12/06/2010

I don't have one yet, but a friend of mine does and I plan on getting one for my baby due in March. Fisher Price has an Infant to Toddler Rocker that holds children from 5 to 40 pounds. It turns to a bouncer seat by putting a kickstand down so it can be used either way. I want to get it because my son will be about 21 months when the baby is born and is still only 23 pounds, so he would get some use out of it as well.
Your son wouldn't have the ability to move around and play like in an exo-saucer but it would do the trick. Especially if he'll look at a board book or would play with a small toy while you showered. I have seen them at Walmart and Burlington's Baby Depot. Hope that helps!