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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

At what age can babies start to play by themselves?

22 replies

alphaO · 27/01/2011 22:47

My DD of 7 months can play on her own with toys and soft teddy bears for about 7min and they start crying for attention. Sometimes it can be frustrating as I cannot do any thing else but look after her when she is awake. At what age can babies play by themselves for about 30?

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Serendippy · 28/01/2011 00:28

My DD is nearly one and a half and still can't play on her own for 30 mins! (Sorry) But she does follow me around in the kitchen and show me her books now so it is not just sitting waving a toy in front of her face. When they are crawling and walking, they are much better able to amuse themselves. Until then, aim for looooong naps!

ipredicttrouble · 28/01/2011 14:32

I can leave my 6.5 month in her jumperoo or bumbo with lots of toys around her for quite a while e.g. enough time for me to get a shower and do my hair.

Plumm · 28/01/2011 14:33

It must depend on the child - DD waas perfectly happy by heself from a very young age.

EdgarAleNPie · 28/01/2011 14:35

as soon as they can plat at all...in the right circumstances.

so farr aboutv 3-4 week wen they learn to hit their baby gym toys.

lazymumofteenagesons · 28/01/2011 18:48

I agree with Edgar. Mine did this. Laid them on their back with babygym within reach and they were happy for at least 20mins as long as no other problems.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 28/01/2011 18:50

AlphaO I am feeling your pain with the '7 minute itch', driving me insane as DD used to be very content for about 30 minutes before a cuddle and some interaction with me and then onto another play thing.

Have no suggestions and am hoping it's a phase!

naughtymummy · 28/01/2011 18:55

Definately depends on child, dd from birth realy. She is 4 now and will amuse herself for HOURS. DS is 6 and can now do about 20-30 mins (without electronics or book I mean truly self led play)

naughtymummy · 28/01/2011 18:58

Definately depends on child, dd from birth realy. She is 4 now and will amuse herself for HOURS. DS is 6 and can now do about 20-30 mins (without electronics or book I mean truly self led play)

AngelDog · 28/01/2011 19:30

Agree it depends. DS was happy to entertain himself from about 7 months, although he's sometimes getting more wanting attention now he's 13 months. I found it helped when he got mobile as he was happy to explore without me right by his side.

missalien · 28/01/2011 21:31

Maybe he is a little strange but my 9 month old has always been like this. He crawls where ever he wants to go and explores or he can get to his toys and books low down and loves reading them. Well I say reading more dribbling on the same page but he likes turning them too.

Rosebud05 · 28/01/2011 21:48

It completely depends on the child. DS was always happy to lie in his baby gym/play with treasure basket etc and at 20 months can play independently for a long time.

Dd wouldn't do any of those things and at nearly 4, can only play by herself if me or another adult is in the vicinity. Tvh, 7 mins at 7 months sounds not too bad.

Aranea · 28/01/2011 21:53

sorry this isn't helpful but I am enjoying your typo which suggests that the teddy bears are crying after 7 minutes

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 28/01/2011 21:56

I would recommend getting a sling that will go onto your back as this is the worst age! I remember getting frustrated when DS was at the same age so I purchased an Ergo sling, chucked him on my back and happy days!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 28/01/2011 22:05

Would my Baby Bjorn work just aswell? Only difference being it's on the front. Might do my back in though, or help me lose weight carrying my lump of a DD around!

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 28/01/2011 22:13

I don't think so, you cannot really do stuff around the house with a baby on your front, and it would probably cause you discomfort too. I tried a Tomy sling before I found the Ergo and it didn't really help, also slings like the Bjorn and Tomy aren't really the best for baby as they 'crotch dangle' as opposed to them sitting in an anatomically correct position. There are other slings that you could use to pop your baby on your back but I cannot recommend any others as I havn't used them. It really was a life saver for me though!

Rosebud05 · 28/01/2011 22:19

Me too, TBMOM. My dd wouldn't sleep anywhere but on the move (buggy or car) or in an Ergo on my front and then back until she was 9 months. It meant that I could get stuff done - it makes a massive difference being able to bend down - and meet her needs.

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 28/01/2011 22:32

Yes Rosebud the relief I felt when I realised that I could get stuff done around the house and meet DS needs at the same time was huge! He loved to be carried around and often would go to sleep on my back. He also learned a lot too as he became involved in what I was doing and I would chat to him. Much better for him developmentally than being left to his own devices IMO.

AngelDog · 28/01/2011 22:51

A Connecta carrier is also good for back carries IMO. TheBreastmilksOnMe is right about the crotch dangling position of carriers like the Baby Bjorn.

missalien · 28/01/2011 22:52

Do they really cause crotch damage? Ive wondered about this I have the bjorn active

AngelDog · 28/01/2011 22:56

Don't know about damage, although a quick google found this.

Personally I wouldn't worry if you're only carrying for a short period of time, but if you've got them in there for long spells, I'd get a decent fabric sling or sling-type carrier. Comfier for the adult too IMO! :)

missalien · 28/01/2011 23:14

Oh blimey. I dont think I can cope with any more parental guilt! Thank you for that bjorn Dont tell you that do they !

Acinonyx · 28/01/2011 23:36

There are babies that play on their own? Wow! Dd is 5 and can't go 30 mins. Maybe 20, now and again. As a baby - not a hope.

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