1 year old cries when I eat

[gloucestergirl]

DD is just a year and has started this very annoying habit of crying when I do something by myself, mostly when I eat or it could be when I look at a book or my phone. She obviously wants my attention and gets it nearly all day as I don't work. I try to distract her or use the dummy but it doesn't really work. She gets really upset and the only thing that will calm her down is a cuddle. But of course that means I don't get to finish my dinner (or start it sometimes). Any advice?

[MSP1]

Is it possible that DD isn't used to you doing anything other than play with or pay attention to her? Would it be possible to go to Mums and toddlers and/or get other people round during the day sometimes? When I had second DC I realised that I actually had to do other things than look after / play with DD and that it didn't do her any harm at all. Just a thought!

[ceeveebee]

Don't you eat together?

[MrsMushroom]

1 year olds aren't renowned for their ability to eat an entire meal without help ceeveebee...so I expect the OP feeds the baby, hands her finger foods and then eats her own.

It's not like they're both their with napkins tucked in and proper place settings when you're a SAHM to a 1 year old generally.

OP I thought the same as MSP1....are you spending ALL your time entertaining the baby?

[ceeveebee]

Yes, I have two 1 year olds so know what they are capable of and how difficult it can be to get any time to do anything during the day unless they are asleep.

I didn't read the OP that way - sounded to me like not eating at the same time as DD ie trying to grab a sandwich while baby plays which I have never found works as my twins always want to eat whatever I am eating so we eat together as a general rule - spoonful for them, spoonful for me and lots of finger foods. Apples are good for at least 10 minutes I find.

In terms of not constantly entertaining DCs, well tbh I wouldn't attempt to read a book unless they were napping. But agree that toddler groups etc will help. And a bit of cbeebies never did any harm. I manage to do probably 1-2 hours housework/cooking during the days I'm not working, but having twins they have the advantage of a playmate so in a way its easier.