To be struggling to know what to do with 3 month old?

[Daywithbaby]

We go for two walks a day usually. Time on playmat, some reading ... what else!?

Sorry op I’m confused, does your baby want to perm be held? A baby doesn’t care if you watch Netflix

But you can’t watch Netflix with a writhing, squirming, shouting, unsettled baby?

Wel I can’t!

My dd2 is 4 months and I basically cart her round the house with me as I do various jobs like out washing away etc because really at that age they just love being with you and watching you etc. I put her on the bed or in her little chair or in a sling and just talk to her whilst I do stuff as really there is a limited amount else you can do with them as they're still too little to sit up in aided etc x

@Daywithbaby

But you can’t watch Netflix with a writhing, squirming, shouting, unsettled baby?

Wel I can’t!

What are feeds and sleeps like?

Baby's experiment with their voices. I wouldn't be responding to shouts by finding a new activity. I used to talk back to mine when they did that it's like the start of conversations.

Feeds are fine. Sleeps well at night but the day is a struggle.

I think that's the thing, it's so different in hindsight or when you're used to another than at the time with your first! I've been astonished at how much 'me time' there is when it's DS1's nursery days and so just me and DS2 at home - but then my standards of 'me time' are so low compared to before DS1! Going for a walk with the pram where I listen to a podcast, walk at a pace I choose and don't have to feign interest in any sticks feels like luxury, whereas I remember constantly having to take the pram out with DS1 to get him to sleep felt like purgatory at the time!

Yes! With DD2 it felt like a day off. Perhaps its the low standards, perhaps its just the relief from the busyness and craziness of toddlers. The ability to think without someone constantly talking at you or requiring mental input.

Have you tried a carrier? He might prefer having his legs free.

My first baby was very fussy, there was no way I could have watched box sets with him. He wanted to be permanently on the go in some way. I couldn't sit down and hold him or put him down, you're not doing anything wrong! Toddler hood will feel like bliss in comparison. My second baby was much easier, I didn't do anything differently. I could have watched plenty of Netflix had he been my first!

Headphones really helped. Whatever makes him happy just do lots of that and listen to music/podcasts whenever you can. It will get better!

OP your baby sounds quite like mine. My 4 month old will only tolerate bouncy chair for 10 mins max, sometimes is ok in the sling but I can’t use it much anyway due to prolapse, she is usually ok in the pram if it is moving (but I can’t do long walks (prolapse!). Gets grumbly if put down for too long without something to do, and doesn’t like to be held while I sit down unless sleepy/feeding. During awake time we tend to do a lot of play mat time, YouTube sensory classes, tummy time, zoom calls with family (baby likes the faces and voices so will sit on my lap for this). Occasionally she will tolerate being plonked on the bed while I put the washing away, sometimes she will sit in her chair while I shower. She needs to nap after about 1-2hrs of awake time but finds it hard to get to sleep so a large amount of time is spent facilitating naps! My guilty pleasure is married at first sight Australia which I watch while feeding her :)

God I hated those early months. Dull dull dull. I outsourced it, put them in nursery pt each time and went back to work. I instantly felt 1000% better.
That sounds dreadful, but they're 16 and 18 now and I still have no regrets. We all bonded well enough and my pension looks great.