Five Ways to Keep Baby Happy While You Get Things Done Around the House

While we would all like to be Super Mom or Super Dad, the truth is that we can't do it all and sometimes we need a little help keeping our little ones entertained so we can cook meals, shower, get ready to go to work, or get the household chores done.  Here's a look at five ways to keep your baby entertained while you get things done around the house:

1. Baby Swing - A baby swing can really be a life saver, especially for really young infants under four months old.  Both my sons found the swing soothing and it was always guaranteed to keep them calm and happy when I couldn't hold them for one reason or another.  It was not unusual for them to spend two or three hours a day in their swing when they were really little.  It was certainly one of their favorite places to catch a nap during the day :-) 

And I love how baby swings are so much easier to use than the swings my mom owned years ago for me and my siblings.  All I had to do was turn it on, pick a setting, and give it a little bump to get it going!  For help selecting the right baby swing, check out About.com's baby swing buyer's guide.

2. Baby Jumper - Once your baby hits about four months old, he or she might be ready for a baby jumper.  My son's both used a doorway jumper and found it to be gleefully fun.  Jumperoos were just become popular when my youngest son was a baby so I wasn't aware of them but if I have one more child, I will definitely go with a baby jumperoo like the Fisher Price Jumperoo or the Baby Einstein Jumper next time.  That's because it combines the great features of the exersaucer (which my sons both loved being in) and the jumping fun of a baby jumper in one great product.  That means double the fun for baby and half the stuff for mom and dad to find a spot in the house for :-)

3. Activity Gym/Playmat - An activity gym is a great way to entertain pre-crawlers.  Babies up to about 4 or 5 months are usually content to lay under the activity gym and bat at toys.  There are a lot of great activity gyms to keep a baby entertained.  They also offer the baby a lot of fun and stimulation during play time and challenge them to explore.  This article by Parents magazine talks about the many benefits of a baby activity gym.

4. Bouncer Seats - Bouncer seats are probably one of the most popular items on baby registries.  They are also one of the most affordable baby gear items you can buy.  Starting at around $25, you can get a decent baby bouncer seat.  This is a great place to set the baby while you do the dishes, eat meals, or even take a shower (a lot of parents...myself included...take baby right into the bathroom with them and keep them in the bouncer while they shower). 

A couple great features to look for in a bouncer seat....a vibrating feature and a toy bar.  The vibration can be great for soothing fussy babies when you have to put them down for a few minutes.  And the toy bar is great for keeping babies content.  My sons loved to bat at the toys on their bouncer seat.

For help choosing a bouncer seat, check out Parent.com's guide to the best 13 bouncer seats for babies.

5. Playpen -  When babies get a little older and start crawling or walking, they will be less likely to be content in a seat or baby jumper while you get things done.  This is when a good playpen like the Pack and Plays can come in handy.  Put them in there with some of their favorite toys and they can easily stay happy for a half an hour or more while you go about your chores around the house.  It's the perfect place to keep them safe when you can't keep an eye on them. 

This thread from yahoo answers also has some great suggestions from other moms on how to keep your little ones entertained!