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Ideas for games to play/things to do with 4mo??

8 replies

DangerMousey · 25/03/2013 10:44

Hello, silly question i guess, but DS1 (4mo) is getting less and less happy to lie on his playmat or sit in his bouncy chair, but isn't really able to hold a toy himself yet (he grabs at things and pulls them all towards his mouth, bless him, but can't really hold a toy/shake a rattle yet)...think he needs some more stimulation, but am running out of ideas.

Also, we live in a small flat and don't always get out of the house every day, especially in this grim weather. He currently has 4-5 naps per day (45 mins tops - he wont nap longer no matter what I do!), and it seems like every time he wakes up, we do the same things over and over, like groundhog day...!

At the moment we play peekaboo in the mirror, we have cuddles and look at a soft toy, he sits in his bouncy chair for a bit until bored, he lies on his mat pulling at toys, he sits on my lap and I sing incy wincy spider, row your boat and horsey-horsey badly to him....any more ideas?? Should he be needing lots of entertaining at this age? Am I making a rod for my own back if I am holding him all the time??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
upinthehills · 25/03/2013 21:40

At that age I was never in - it did help that I had spring born babies. I walked and walked. Young babies love places like John lewis - especially if it is cold Grin.

Baby song time at the library is good as it going to a toddler group. Don't feel daft taking a baby to a toddler group - if they are any good they will have a baby corner separated from the mayhem of the main group - the one I ran did anyway...

I was always out by 10am - I think I would have gone mad otherwise!

My health visitor organised free baby massage classes. There were baby sensory classes too locally for about £3 - though tbh it was more fun having a coffee after with the other mums. I have 3 very good friend I met at the local library with the baby song time so i would definitely get out there. Do a google and make a list. Call your health visitor in the morning and ask them for local classes too - they are there to help you.

RaisingGirls · 25/03/2013 21:44

At that age, he will just love watching what you do. Smile All of the things you describe are great. The naps sound amazing too, mine never did that! Grin

Have you got a playmat with a kind of arch that goes over the top, with things that dangle down? Babies seem to love those.

I agree with the other posters about getting out of the house, even if it's just for your own sanity. Pop him in a sling or a buggy and go for a walk. You might even find he naps for longer.

Vijac · 25/03/2013 21:46

Reading books and telling stories. Tickles. A mobile. Baby einstein DVD. Tummy time. Enjoy!

RaisingGirls · 25/03/2013 21:46

Oh yes and there is no such thing as a rod for your own back. Enjoy those cuddles before he wriggles away!

KLou111 · 25/03/2013 21:57

we had one of these ds loved it!

teacherlikesapples · 25/03/2013 21:57

One of my favourite quotes from one of my favourite parenting books is "do less, enjoy more."

Easier said than done maybe, but try & relax. Take some time just to sit & observe your baby. You do not have to try & keep baby entertained & happy all of the time.

This website has some great ideas for infant education & care- I have chosen some of the most relevant articles for you, but there are actual 'activity' ideas on the website to:

www.janetlansbury.com/2012/11/7-myths-that-discourage-independent-play/

www.janetlansbury.com/2011/11/how-to-stop-entertaining-your-baby/

BlissfullyIgnorant · 25/03/2013 22:08

I had no idea (way back in the olden days, last century) so I propped DS up in the corner of the sofa and read books to him. He loved it. After about a month I started showing him the pages with the pictures and discussing them. It was a bit tough until I got board books as he kept trying to turn the pages.
And trips to the shops - not to buy anything, just to look around and sometimes sit in a cafe and chat to him. It was really lovely.

SimLondon · 25/03/2013 23:25

cuddles :-)

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