To worry my baby is bored

[Rollonbedtime7pm]

My DD2 is nearly 8 months. As a typical 3rd baby, she mostly is dragged out on school runs and following the big ones around!

She is a really good natured baby so is very easy to entertain really. I have about an hour just with her after her nap while her sister is a preschool where we just chat and look at toys but the rest of the time she generally sits on the floor with some toys watching DS and DD1 play or she's in her jumperoo.

I sometimes worry she isn't stimulated enough as I admit it is easy to 'leave her to it' a bit as she is so chilled. Once the older ones are home there are things to do like making dinner, homework etc so I can't sit down with her much.

Am I over thinking what she needs?!

I think you are right to be aware that your DD3 might not be getting all the stimulation and attention she needs. Do your other DC play with her? Or does she just watch them play? Try to encourage your other DC to be interactive with your DD2.

I also have three and think the same a bit. But then I figure that she has such stimulation from the other two that more than compensates.

Particularly compared to trying to entertain the first

Nah, I think first babies get bored. Babies love watching people. Going along on school runs and errands and watching their siblings is great for them!

Is she showing any signs of being bored? Is she irritable or listless? If not I wouldn't worry about it. Life is pretty stimulating when you're 8 months old!

Don't undervalue what she is getting from watching her siblings play and problem solve etc.

There's loads of bodies of research around this and she's getting the best simulation that she could be.

No way. What could be more entertaining than travelling to places and looking at the world as you go, and then having two older sibling put on a great show for you and getting mum to yourself each day for an hour. Your baby will be learning loads.

Well, clearly not, sorry, as you describe her as very happy She wouldn't be if she was under-stimulates.

*stimulated

Our third is very chilled also but am not worried about boredom. He's the happiest baby and first vs third is very different. I'm sure your DD2 is v happy with life. I think there's too much pressure to do stuff with a baby. Work and life trumps rhyme time at the library

Yes don't get me wrong, we don't all totally ignore her! The other 2 will play or chat to her as they play and I always talk to her when i'm near or grab a quick sit down!

You're right softy - I felt the pressure of being DS's only entertainment and i'm sure she must benefit from observing and interacting with the other 2!

I'm one of three. My DB2 didn't even speak until DB1 and I started school. People thought my DM was weird because she wasn't worried. But she said he was normal, it was just that he relied on his siblings for entertainment, company and communication. She was right. DB2 spoke up as soon as we weren't around to do it for him.

I've heard that second and subsequent DC actively benefit from not being the focus of so much direct parental attention. Certainly it's true of DB2. He was very laid back and has always been confident as well. I really wouldn't worry, it sounds as if your DC are thriving.