Am I doing enough with my 10 week old?

[AzuremystBrandy]

Hi

I'm just getting myself in a bit of a panic about whether I'm doing enough with my baby to keep her occupied and encourage her development and was looking for opinions and advice.

She has a bath every evening and we play with the water by splashing and me squeezing bubbles onto her belly. She has started kicking in the water and is enjoying the sensation.

I also try to ensure that I do a selection of he following every day;

Playmat with music and toys overhead
Rocker with toys overhead
Story
Singing
Tummy time

I usually don't do all of them everyday but I worry because when I need to get things done or even make a cup of tea I sit her in her bouncer or put her on her changing mat on the floor and she watches TV. She loves doing this but I worry that I'm doing her a disservice. Sometimes she might do it for up to half an hour at a time and when she's on her play at someone's she is on it independently for 15 mins or so. I just worry that I'm personally not doing enough with her.

I'm starting baby massage with her on Wednesday and am going to start taking her to swim tots on Fridays.

Am I doing enough with her? Some days I feel like we've done loads and other days I feel like we've done next to nothing and although she's content, I can't help feeling guilty that I'm not doing enough with her.
I spend lots of one cuddling her as well but not necessarily talking all the time
Thanks

[Iguessyourestuckwithme]

At this age dc2 was generally circulated between the sling, pram and moses basket, have a toddler dc1 so couldn't be left on the activity mat because of dc1. Obviously we sang and chatted during the day, we introduced baby massage at 12 weeks, because we had dc1 we would be out at toddler groups/playdates so we "did alot" but basically they were asleep or cuddled by adults and the occasional toddler.

[ByThePrickingOfMyThumbs]

OP you sound like you're doing brilliantly. You have nothing to feel guilty about.

[Alrighty]

I don't think you need to worry about activities at that age.I wouldn't put her in front of the TV,other then that your are doing fine

[AzuremystBrandy]

Thank you for both your replies and your reassurance BTPOMT. I was just looking at baby's development at 10 weeks and it just said about babies grabbing and making noises with rattles and while she grabs things she has no idea what they are and what to do with them. I do talk to her a lot but often I'm saying the same things such as "clever girl" and "she's so beautiful". I'm also trying to extend my mental directory of nursery rhymes but a lot of the time I end up dancing with her to adult music!

[hownottofuckup]

DS is 10 weeks (I think) he just gets cuddles, kisses, bit of chatting and dragged around here, there and every where.
You sound like you're doing a brilliant job but really they don't need a lot at that age. Feed, sleep, clean, cuddle/chat
Baby massage is lovely though.

[AzuremystBrandy]

Thanks alrighty. Do you think the TV is bad for them at this age? This was one of the things I initially worried about but thought it may be helpful for sensory development.

[CorBlimeyTrousers]

That sounds plenty, loads in fact, for a 10w old. Please don't worry :)

[hownottofuckup]

Oh one thing I did learn is that you really should talk to them in that sing song voice you hear people use on babies, apparently it helps them hear the words better!

[BeStrongAndCourageous]

I'm going to tell you what I told my best friend when she asked the same question about her PFB: she's 10 weeks old. She thinks dust motes are stimulating. Chill out a bit.

[ByThePrickingOfMyThumbs]

Just talk to her as you're doing things - 'shall we get dressed DD? 'We need to go to the supermarket to buy dinner' etc etc.

I knew very few nursery rhymes before I had my first but I looked up the lyrics on YouTube. I used to sing to her a lot after that.

[ScarlettDarling]

op you sound lovely!

You're doing loads with her. She's just teeny and as long as she's getting cuddles and is being spoken/sung to, I think you needn't worry.

I honestly don't think you need to worry about letting her look at the TV now and then, it won't do her any harm. Having said that, I did used to feel guilty about exactly the same thing and found that putting my babies near a window/ balloon/ bunch of flowers used to hypnotise them in much the same way that the TV did!

Enjoy her!

[Cel982]

Just looking around the room can provide plenty of stimulation at that age, you probably don't need the TV. But it sounds like you're doing fine, don't worry.

[AzuremystBrandy]

Thank you for all the reassurance and tips. I do need to chill out a bit. One day I feel like I'm doing a good job and the next day I feel like I'm doing crap! I suppose that's motherhood for you!

[KP86]

and it never changes! That's (apparently) a sign of a good parent - always questioning whether you are doing the right thing or could be better.

Independent time is great, as it helps teach baby to entertain themselves. Cuddles are important to establish secure attachment. Music (any kind) and dancing is just fun.

Do whatever you want that makes the both of you happy. And enjoy her.

[MagicAlwaysLeadsToTrouble]

I agree you are doing great!

I used to worry about things like this with my first baby, because the days are so long that it can feel hard to fill them with the "right" things.

I agree that just talking is great, like if you are folding laundry and she is watching from her chair just chat away to her while you do it. She will gain loads from just watching you and listening to you do normal every day things.

Then I had my 2nd and now 3rd, within 4 years.

My poor third child doesn't get half what my first born did. no baby swimming for him, he does the school run twice a day and spends time kicking on his mat in the kitchen while I cook, he sits in his chair to watch his siblings eat and he is doing just fine. It's all good sensory experiences for him.

[AzuremystBrandy]

There's been some great ideas from everyone, I really appreciate the input everyone has given. It makes me feel so much better. I've just had a look on the Internet and babies and TV and didn't know about the research on it.