5 months old, now what?

[BPrincess]

My dd is 5 months, she nearly sits up, wakes 3 times a night, has started on a few purees and is healthy and lovely - smiles, giggles etc. But often quite grizzly esp coming up to nap time, and will rarely play on her own for more than 5 mins. Terrible to say it but I'm getting bored and tired, and can't carry her in her carrier so much now as she weighs a ton! Any suggestions, or hope for what to look forward to in the coming weeks ( don't get me wrong, I love her to bits but had pnd at beginning so a little scaredd of going back there with these dark days)

Get one of these www.cameron-flights.co.uk/Default.aspx?pagename=Hot-Air-Balloon-Rides-Berkshire] and a Jumperoo. Both really helped me get a few minutes without holding DD. Getting out to baby groups helps too.

I try to play intensively with her several times a day. It wears her out so she naps!

Sorry iPad posted a link from earlier, one of these www.amazon.co.uk/Galt-6850004-Farm-Playnest/dp/B000296KW6/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1320343173&sr=1-2

Although a balloon trip may help!

Is she starting to move yet? I think it's easier for them to entertain themselves once they can roll over/shuffle round etc. It also makes them a lot more interesting to be around.

Thanks for the tip - I've put an offer on ebay for one of those (not the balloon trip!) and no, she's not rolling over or anything yet. Soon maybe, though she does rather detest 'tummy time'!
We do play, but it wears me out most!

Hi. Get her a bumbo baby seat. I have a 6 and a half month old and she loves it.

I would second the Jumperoo, my youngest dd is also 5 months and loves hers, she was bouncing madly in it earlier and wore herself out quite nicely.

My dd is rolling over, and her head control has really improved recently, and now she's happy to spend time on the floor fiddling with things and trying to put them in her mouth, she's definitely become happier to be left to her own devices since she's been able to do this. So it's just a matter of time!

She's not all that keen on her Bumbo though.

I really think bumbos are awful, sorry. They get stuck in them. I would recommend an inflatable ring. They can sit up in them but have room to move a bit and you can put toys in there with them. How about a door bouncer also? If you have access to a toy library, now is a good time to use it as there are things that are PERFECT for about a month and then they don't need it any more.

I have an inflatable ring I can sell to you for £5. Like new. Send me a personal mail if interested. Never really got a chance to use it. My daughter's been crawling and standing up by ~5 months time. I use the bumbo seat and it helped with the development. Though she didn't like it too much. I got her the baby walker and she seem happy being able to walk.

I have a 5.5mth old too and she's recently become much happier on her tummy, will roll around on her big mat playing with toys etc. and she's getting a jumperoo for Xmas! Can I ask though re those play nests? I got one from the charity shop, but dd just seems to slumP in it, with her feet looking quite trapped, doesn't look comfy, how do you actually put your LOs in?

I'd also recommend a jumperoo. My DS sounds very similar to your DD. He is now 7 months and will play in his jumperoo for 20 mins at a time quite happily. He has very recently started to play more by himself on the floor. He hated tummy time, but now he can roll, is much better. I'm also worried about getting bored in the winter. My 'mummy' friends are starting to go back to work and I haven't got a job to go back to. I picked up a copy of the local family magazine and have circled all the local baby and toddler groups and will make an effort and try some of them out.

If you want to carry on carrying there are good carriers for older babies/children.

Dd hated tummy time until v recently - just started rolling at nearly 9mo!! Jumperoo was a godsend - get it from eBay though as they go for less than half price and are usually in great condition as they're not used for long.
Dd was sitting up unsupported fairly early - what helped with this, and keeps her entertained for ages still, is a treasure basket - a wicker box full of random shite things to play with - big pebble, wooden spoon, egg cup. Google them - lots of good ideas.

Thanks all. She has a jumperoo, which she likes, but after about 10 mins it all becomes too much and she starts yelling! Also a bumbo - again, ok for short bursts. And a bouncer. This she really loves, but it's tricky getting her in and out on my own!
Jess thanks for the offer - will get back to you as have bid on one on ebay, so see how it turns out.

Do you take her to classes - music, gym, swimming, toddler group etc? If you can afford it these were a life saver for me in terms of the wearing DCs out and giving me a chance to chat to other mums.

Yes, I agree with PP. Taking DD to classes saved my life and I wish I had done it sooner. Basically, if you do music/singing etc someone else has to jump around and entertain instead of you! Honestly, DD loved it and I could just sit back and watch! I found some in my area when DD was 6 months and really kicked myself for not going sooner. :)

If she's not mobile get in all the mother and baby yoga classes while you can

Surestart centre's are a god send, leave em in the buggy while they've nodded off on the way home and have a cup of tea

I have to say that 6 months is where my DD started to get really interesting. She really started reacting to me, funny faces, voices, singing etc, she also started to enjoy physical play, row row row the boat and 5 little monkeys being favourites at that age.

Try taking her to a couple of babygroups (gymjams and the like) to get better ideas of how to play with her. I did and found lots of household things (shower scrunchies, cushions, tea towels) could be used for entertainment purposes.

The Jumperoo was fab for my wee one but she had grown bored of it by 6.5 months, she had been using it since 4.5 months though, and they are expensive so try e-bay. I bought mine on ebay for £30 and sold it 3 months laterfor £40 as they don't seem to lose second hand value (they are about £90 new).

We have also used a walker (i've read the scare stories but our ground floor is one level and it asn't hampered my DDs development) very useful to keep her entertained.

Good luck