Hi all, FTM here to a wonderful 15 week old baby boy! I suppose I'm just fretting a little bit that I should be doing more with my little one (I think the online, social media Moms have influenced this a lot!) so wondering really if I'm just being brainwashed by what I'm seeing online lol or if in people's experience I really should be doing more?
DS has been a good sleeper since birth really, so since he was one month old he has taken all his naps in his crib or his pram (it's a newborn, flat pram!) prior to that I held him for all of his naps but he still slept in his bed overnight, often for 6+ hour stretches other than when I would wake him to feed him, and he still does this now.
He will be awake for 3 hour stretches during the day and during this time I hold him or sit him on my knees and sing to him, read him stories and just generally chat to him, we also do tummy time and practice holding objects, he will also spend some time lying on his changing mat as he loves to kick his legs and chatter and sing, during this time I'm normally sitting next to him and we're chatting etc, I'll also pick him up and wander around the house with him or do a bit of dancing etc, and people tend to comment that he has excellent head/neck control, he's been holding his head up since he was 6 weeks old. So I've always felt like I really engage him during his wake times, and he is the happiest baby I've ever seen, constantly smiling, giggling and doesn't ever cry unless he's overtired. However, and this is where I'm feeling guilty, I don't "baby wear", I don't co-sleep, he doesn't nap on me during the day and he doesn't sleep in my arms at night. I'm just feeling like this is the expectation now and particularly as he's my only child is it selfish to not have him attached to me 24/7? As mentioned he is the happiest little boy, his eyes light up when he sees me and he breaks into a massive smile! I also felt like I've maintained a good balance as I'm able to get jobs done around the house while he's asleep, still cook homemade meals, have a shower and get myself ready every morning etc. I guess I'm worrying that I won't have the bond with him that others have with their babies if he's not sleeping on me, co sleeping and not attached to me all day. What is your experience, did you not do these things and still have a great bond with your child? Or should I be doing more to keep a physical closeness? Appreciate any advice that anyone can share from your own experience!