Activities for mum & Baby (4 months old)

[LuckySalem]

Hi,

I'm really struggling to find things to do to keep myself & my daughter amused.
I'm going to be taking her swimming more often cos she likes that but is there anything anyone else can think of?

We go parent & toddler groups and i'm going to take her in her pram more often but anything else?

Cheers all

[BWMum]

Lucky - in my area (SW London) there are lots of groups listed on our council's website so you could try that perhaps. Two I want to look into are baby massage and "Buggy Fit" - a fitness class for moms that includes the babies.
At the moment DD (who is also 4 months) likes to play with a very large Tigger soft toy and anything she can grip and put in her mouth. We also dance to whatever is on the radio, and hope no passers-by look through the window and think I'm mad! She really does seem to like that, especially twirling in circles or lowering her towards the ground.
Oddly she also seems to genuinely enjoy watching me fold washing, especially if I shake each item before folding it. Can't say I find it the most stimulating activity though...

[Laugs]

Now that it's getting slightly warmer, find your nearest park. Your baby will love lying on the grass on a sunny afternoon playing with daisies, while you can chill out with the paper and some board books. You'll also find all the other local parents here!

The two major public art galleries in my city also have great kids areas, including big cushions and soft toys for little babies. This is a godsend if you go to town with no real aim or you need a break from shopping.

Will try to think of more...

[Sanguine]

Baby music. DS loves it, and it gives me songs and games to play with him when we're at home. Also we do swimming lessons with water babies, that's a good way to meet other mums, but a little pricey.

Our library is fantastic, all set up for little 'uns and loads of books and toys.

A friend goes to baby college, and says it's good, others I know do baby massage.

We're really lucky where I live, it seems there are activities aimed at babies and parents every day. Most churches seem to have groups, and IME they are great places to chat to others and let your baby play, then all you have to do at the end is stand up and say "Right. Who fancies cake at the cafe down the road?" and everyone cheers and removes to the nearest eatery.

[Eaglebird]

If it's raining outside, put on a nursery rhyme cd (£5 from Mothercare) and sing along. I'm a rubbish singer but my DS laughs his head off when I sing nursery rhymes to him. This can easily fill in an hour of your time.

Also, 'Carrie & David's Pop Shop' at 5:30pm on the CBeebies channel is good if you have 20 minutes to fill before bathtime.

Trips to the park, shops & cafes all keep DS (nearly 6 months old) amused. As do journeys on public transport. (He's very nosy and loves people-watching)

Visits to family & friends are good for breaking the monotony, and mean you can foist DS off on the friend/family member for a cuddle while you have a cuppa in peace.

[LuckySalem]

Thanks for the ideas so far,

I had MTV on today and we were singing and dancing away and she seemed happy. Also found she loves lying on her back NAKED so i'm going to do that abit more often.

We're going to do toddler swimming most days a week and have just enrolled for baby massage so i'm slowly filling my days.

Anyone else do anything different?