Interaction for 6 wo

[BexGershon]

I keep my 6 week old baby awake for 2 hours in the evening as she sleeps all day (literally, other than feeds she's asleep as I want her to have some cuddle time and interaction but all she does at this time is cry. I think it's because she wants to sleep but can anyone suggest some things i can do with her that will makes these two hours nice? I try holding teddys infront of her face for her to follow but she's not interested but tbh as she's so young can't think of much more?!
Thank you for any advice xx

[breadandhoney]

I think 2 hours is too long for a newborn to be kept awake. It is definitely too long for her to be stimulated. Keep interaction to 10-15 mins at this stage and don't expect too much. She should be able to track an object slowly from side to side and may be starting to smile but that's about it really. Don't worry, There will be plenty of time for more playtime when she's a little older. For now just enjoy all the newborn snuggles-which wont last. Oh and thank your lucky stars for all the sleep!

[breadandhoney]

And remember nappy changes, bath times and just talking to her count as interaction too.

[KnockedUpMell]

Just let her sleep!! Dd only started being more awake at 2m and even now at 3m will sleep the day away and wake for half hour periods to play and feed. She's sleeping because she needs it!

[ZuleikaD]

Two hours is far too long for a newborn to be awake. She'll be miserable. Just let her sleep.

[blonderthanred]

Agree don't keep her awake.

I felt this this a few weeks ago though - DS is 11wks - as you feel like you should be doing more with them but they are not that interested. I just sing songs and make faces, stick my tongue out for her to copy. Or touch your and her noses and say nose. There are some good ideas on the babycentre website.

But don't worry too much, it may be a few weeks yet before you can do much more than this.

[GoldPlatedNineDoors]

Two.hours is far far too long. At that age Id say max an hour and that includes feeding in that time.

Better sleep in the day = better sleep at.night I have found.

If I recall, the time spent from DDs last nap to bedtime was up, bath, massage, feed and a cuddle and back down. Took about an hour and she was zonked by the end of it.

[PuffPants]

They are often a bit grissly in the early evening. I would try to go with the flow a bit more. Let her dictate the routine, follow her instincts. You'll get plenty of interaction soon enough.

[CoolaSchmoola]

Your baby knows what she needs, she knows when she is hungry, she knows when she is tired, she knows when she is uncomfortable and needs winding/changing.

In short she knows what's what and she is using the only skill she has to tell you what her needs are. It's our job to learn to understand them telling us these things, and to meet those needs. At the moment she is telling you what she needs and you are trying to make her do what you want.

"I want her to have some cuddle time and interaction but all she does at this time is cry. I think it's because she wants to sleep..."

Listen to your DD - you might want cuddle time and interaction but she is saying she needs sleep. Listen to what she needs and let her sleep.

[BexGershon]

Thank you all-lots of learning for new mummy as well!!

[CoolaSchmoola]

It's a massive learning curve - but it does get easier, promise!