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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what to do with a newborn?

33 replies

VeryNecessary · 25/02/2017 17:25

DS is almost four weeks old. Very chilled, contented baby. Eats and sleeps well. He's now coming out of the very sleep 'newborn' stage and is awake and alert for a few hours between eating and napping.

My question is, what do I do when he's awake? He has a bouncy chair and an activity mat, which he likes but for short periods. He likes sitting and looking at the light coming through the window, likes a walk in the pram and a mooch around the rooms in the house but is that enough?

This is my first child (can you guess?) and I can't chill and enjoy him because I always feel I should be doing more, but then worrying about over stimulating him!

OP posts:
Semaphorically · 25/02/2017 19:37

Just enjoy it, they love just looking at the world (and at you) at that age. They don't need anything much more. If you do too much you'll end up with an over-stimulated baby who screams all evening.

raindripsonruses · 25/02/2017 19:44

Chat, sing, read, narrate. Eye contact . All that sort of thing. Count as you walk up and down stairs.

Trifleorbust · 25/02/2017 19:48

You don't really need to do anything other than hold, smile, cuddle and babble at them! As a PP said, everything stimulates them at this age.

NapQueen · 25/02/2017 19:50

Short bites of stuff. 15mins playmat. 15mins on lap singing or talking. 15mins bouncy chair. Dressed. Fed. Out for an hours walk. Home. Repeat.

I used to time my home for the good tv. We watched a LOT of pointless.

toffeeboffin · 25/02/2017 19:52

FWIW DD seems to like Breaking Bad and naps reliably to it.

IamFriedSpam · 25/02/2017 19:52

Popping him in his carrier and getting on with your day is great. The carrier is good for development because he can see around and build up his neck muscles and you can relax. If you're on your own chat to him about what you're doing (just don't do what I do and keep it up when you're in crowds of people - they'll think you're insane). If you have nothing else to do put some music on and dance around.

VeryNecessary · 25/02/2017 20:36

Thanks for all your suggestions, it really helps. I think I just needed reassurance that I was doing enough!

NapQueen - things like that really help, I almost need a structure for how long to spend on certain activities at first until I get into my own groove.

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 25/02/2017 20:41

The DC's mainly had Radio 4 and the washing machine.

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