Playtime for newborns

[Julenelle]

At how many weeks did your newborn seem interested in more than eating and sleeping (or crying)?

My dd is 5 weeks. I sometimes lay her down on her play mat, but she doesn't like it at all yet.

I'm probably trying too hard, as she's still so weeny yet. What's been your experience?

I think DS was about 6 weeks - I remember a lovely evening where he lay on the floor and we had some music on and just played with him - he laughed his first laugh - was the first time he'd done more than eat/sleep or lie quietly or noisily!
Difficult to say with DD as she just had to slot into whatever DS was doing

I also have a DD of 5 weeks. We have a very short playtime at the moment of about 10 minutes ? but it is hard work getting her to interact toys and she cries after a few minutes ? some of the supposed interaction might be in my head. I think we can't really expect them to do too much at the moment ? the odd grasp or hit, noticing things moving (e.g. mobile). This week she spontaneously showed an interest in a toy for the first time, and held and shook it (with help!) and seemed to find that enjoyable. Apparently hand-eye coordination is still not great at this stage.

dd2 (5mo) didn't even start to bat at her playmat toys until 4mo.
from about 10 weeks she seemed to enjoy just going to different places and taking in the new sights, sounds and smells. before that she mostly screamed and fed .

I found most baby toys started to be appreciated properly much later than I expected from the age guidelines. But once past the real baby stage, I found they usually liked toys that they were not meant to be old enough for best! Though DS who is 3 still sometimes goes back to playing with baby toys if he finds any, now he is big enough to figure out all the things you can do with them he finds them more fun!

When mine were newborn I think they mostly just liked looking. Sitting in a bouncer watching me doing stuff and talking to them, or looking out of a window in my arms, or all the silly baby bouncing-on-knees and funny-face games. Very little interest in toys. I think it was probably at least 2 months before they really started liking play mats, and other things even later.

They shouldn't be overstimulated at this age.

Take your lead from your baby.

They don't need much and less is more. It's only really at 12 weeks that they start playing and even then they don't need much. Don't need much at 2.5 actually!!!

It's harder when you only have one as you tend to think they need stuff, whereas when number two comes along they just fit in and start grabbing stuff and playing when they want to!

Glad to read these responses. I'm expecting too much too soon.

DS is 7 weeks, and the thing he enjoys most is having his nose poked - guarenteed grin!

He tends to ignore toys/playmat/books (cloth books etc) apart from an interest in his mobile.

What he does enjoy are very simple, sing-song rhymes and things like 'round and round the garden' and 'this little piggy' - maybe try those?

Or, try taking your DD on a bus journey and let her look out of the window? DS can hold his head up and spends the whole time craning his neck to look at things. Also, other people tend to coo over him, so it's good socialising time.

Lastly, we just went swimming for the first time today and he definitely enjoyed that, so another thought for when your DD is a little bigger, maybe.