To ask what you are actually meant to do with a 3 month old?

[SlightlyChilly]

At the risk of sounding like a useless mum, what are you actually meant to do to entertain a 3 month old. She hates going out in her buggy and screams the whole time, she will go out in a sling but usually just closes her eyes. She has no interest in toys yet, and will sit in her bouncer for a few minutes if im bouncing it, but not alone.

She spends pretty much the whole day being held/in her sling and half asleep, which doesn't bother me, but it just doesn't seem like she's getting much stimulation, though she never seems bored.

No hysteria here, but 2 months is too young for a Bumbo

Blow raspberries on her belly to make her laugh.

Whatever you do, don't feel guilty. They just want to be warm, dry and fed. Tuck her in the sling and get on with whatever you want to do - shopping in the sales keeps them quiet because it's warm, they're rocking and they like noise. Or lie on the sofa, pop her on your chest and watch a couple of boxsets while scoffing chocolate.

I used to feel awful that I wasn't entertaining my baby all the time, but actually he was fine!

Pop in sling and go and see the world. Get out, go walking, see friends etc etc.

When looking after my DNs you would probably think I was insane if you were to hear me. I used to give them a running commentary, normally singing it to a random tune. And now I'm going to dust the shelf la la a la la, I'm going to iron this shirt a de da de Di, as they sat and looked at me from the bouncer/playmat. Doesn't matter what you're saying. Sing it with a big smile on your face nd they will sense your happiness!

Oh and a bit of tummy time too. You'll go mad trying to entertain a baby. Just go about your day and bring her with you. With my first, I was at a loss. With my second, she just got dragged along everywhere. And she is fine!

God I needed this thread today, DD is 3 months old and I witter away to her endlessly with utter nonsense - made up songs and all, 'play' on the mat with noisy toys, books etc and don't get a huge response really.

Was starting to think I'm a terrible mother who's stunted her mental growth or something! Minor total overreaction I know but good to know what I'm doing (mainly meeting other mums for coffee/ shopping etc) is deemed normal/OK.

Also, does anyone else have a DC who LOVES being on the changing mat more than anything in the world? She chatters and smiles and kicks about but on the playmat - different story, weird eh?!

Feed, cuddle, hold, expose to sunlight, keep clean. Be around other people so the baby can hear conversation. Sing and talk if you feel like it. Neither of mine wanted stimulation at that age - they just wanted the security of being held close and loved.

Feed and cuddle.

I don't think we did anything else with DS at that age.

Oh and enjoy the fact that they haven't yet decided headbutting you is fun

I try doing tummy time with my 3mo but she doesn't seem to like it very much and just ends up crying quickly, she's far happier on her back on her playgym. Should I be worried she's not getting enough time on her front?

She's my first, I have no clue!

Ds only started being happy on his front in the last 2 weeks and he's 9 months. I wouldn't worry, hasn't slowed him any, he can crawl damn fast and was trying to stand earlier! Some babies just don't like being on their front

My baby loved his baby swing at that age and I put lots of bright toys on it (mainly loved the lamaze toys).

You can borrow someone else's, and take up juggling.

Enjoy being able to go anywhere and do most things!...when they become toddlers and start walking it's a whole new world of "things that are more difficult".
(looks back wistfully)

No don't worry. I used to put ds on his tummy on the bed then kneel do he could see me. He'd not like it after a feed though

Stick them in a sling and carry on as usual. It's the best bit about them being tiny - they are portable and undemanding.

Also, have a look at Dr Sears (or is it Harvey Karp?) and the fourth trimester theory. His theory is that babies need the first three months outside the womb to carry on "cooking" as it were. So snoozing in a sling is pretty much what they should be doing.

Ariel24 - almost same answer. Upright in a sling, facing inwards, uses some of the same muscles that tummy time is supposed to develop.

Apparently.

All I can say is that both of mine were slung most of the time and they both held their heads up very early, and that a couple of HVs commented on this being something they've noticed in babies that are slung alot, even the ones that don't spend much time on their tummies.

Disclaimer: I don't sell slings.

Spice - my two year old still loves being on his changing mat! Some of my happiest memories are of changing his nappy.

He hated the playmat. There was a big frog in his face. Imagine a giant frog looming at you!

And no, don't feel guilty at all. Get on with your life as much as you can. Don't worry if it's not a baby focused activity. Babies really don't care about anything as long as you've got the basics covered.

Thanks kungfu, I'll have to put her in her carrier more often.

She is currently on her tummy.. snuggled up on mine! Bliss

Put baby in a sling and then go out and ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM. Go to museums, go to galleries, go to coffee shops with your friends, go for walks in the park.

Because in about 6-9mths time she'll be walking, talking, grabbing and causing bloody mayhem everywhere you go and you will WISH you had done more now!

You can do a lot with your lo but she can't do much back. Just go about your busisness, chat, describe, sing, read to her, explain your day and what your are doing. DS liked an activity arch and we had a big blow up activity ring that contained him.

I think you are probably going through a rough patch and it hasn't helped that we have had a month now of dark days, continuous rain and it's now miserably cold which doesn't make for cheerful walks in the pram.

Tummy time, baby gym, massage, and especially singing all good ideas. I made up a song for my dd and she used to ignore it mostly, but if she is crying now (at 9 months) and I sing that particular song it does stop her, most of the time, so I like to think she remembers my early efforts. I also used to do songs with actions, like tommy thumb and wheels on the bus, from around 3 months.

Mine is 3 months Saturday, she likes me chattering to her, me or Daddy carrying her around the house gazing at mirrors, lying in baby gym gazing at herself in mirror and kicking the shit out of the jingle toys, lying in pram and being pushed around, playing with her hands, looking at pictures of Winnie the pooh that I Google for her but actually......I don't know if she does like all these things but it seems to keep her occupied. She likes smiling at me to get me to smile at her.