Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

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

Flip

Original poster

how much play for 3mth old

13 replies

NENEandLEXI · 08/02/2007 17:55

hi out there! i dont know how much time i am supposed to spend trying to play with my lil one. she is 3 mths and sometimes just sitting in her swing is fun for her, but should i limit how much time she sits by herself? if she seems happy, should i let her go, or should i be trying to stimulate her whiule she is awake? i dont know how often she needs me there. i would occasionally like to run the sweeper, or do the dishes, or maybe watch a lil tv? i am getting worn out a little bit.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nearlyfourbob · 08/02/2007 17:58

Put her near you when you do the jobs. Take her out every day. Read her a bedtime story and sing to her.

That's it - and apart from the story bit can all be done whilst doing something else.

I wouldn't always leave her when she is happy, because it gets a bit depressing only cheering up a grumpy baby, it's nice to interact with a happy one.

hana · 08/02/2007 17:58

you can do all of that
3 m old are stimulated just by being near you and watching you

Roobie · 08/02/2007 18:00

I would suggest she doesn't need you to 'play' with her at huge amount at this stage. Give yourself a break - everything is new to them so sitting watching the world go by is a stimulating activity in itself.

Twiglett · 08/02/2007 18:04

keep her near you throughout the day

do whatever you want .. hoover (but you might have to carry her when you do it), watch tv, have a coffee

lie her on the floor with some toys

talk to her, sing to her, generally interact with her

cuddle her and play with her when you want to..mothers like to do this IME

but getting down and playing with her for prescriptive times? ... leave her alone .. it's good for her physical and mental development to discover things

seriously you need to make the most of this time . because it doesn't last .

charliegal · 08/02/2007 18:05

So glad someone else has asked about this. My ds is 3 months too and I am exhausted by the constant story telling, rattling objects, talking, singing etc. All the while feeling haunted by the sense that it is not enough!

Original poster

NENEandLEXI · 08/02/2007 18:05

i feel guilty sometimes, because i have been devouting all my time to her, not even able to get a shower some days. her dad comes home tired so i am all her entertainment most days. so maybe just going about my day and interacting with her along the way will be ok? i dont really know how to "play" with her, and if i am doing the right things.

OP posts:

Mercy · 08/02/2007 18:05

Baby gym thing, soft toys, soft books, your company - I think that's about it really!

And you can do your housework with her nearby. Babies love eye contact, chatting, cuddles and cooing!

Please don't think you need to do loads of stuff with your baby. I can say that quite categorically nearly 6 years later!

Twiglett · 08/02/2007 18:07

you'll drive yourself mad and end up with a demanding child

honestly the best thing DH ever taught me, when DS was first born, was to just relax around him .. result a placid happy baby who can entertain himself and interacted well .. now a happy 6 year old .. DD got the same treatment

honestly take a deep breath and stop being an entertainer ..

Twiglett · 08/02/2007 18:08

stick her on the floor in the bathroom whilst you have a shower .. or do it when she's sleepign .. 3 month olds sleep a lot don't they?

daisynut · 08/02/2007 18:12

at 3 months I was showering when J was napping, and doing all my little jobs then as well. we mostly visited/interacted when he was awake - which iirc, was not much - he was awake every hour and half ish for an hour so it was a feed and then singing, or talking or soemthing like that.

also used to take him in the sower with me in his chair - but that was when he was 6 months or so and hte morning nap was too late for me not to shower iycwim.

Original poster

NENEandLEXI · 08/02/2007 18:26

really, everyone makes a lot of sense. i just want to be the best, most interactive mom there is...i guess thats the fastest way to burn out, huh?

OP posts:

Twiglett · 08/02/2007 18:38

the best mum brings up a child who is capable of entertaining itself and being left on its own

constant interaction means your baby doesn't have a chance to explore on its own terms

calsworld · 13/02/2007 21:46

I'm glad to see this thread too, feel like an overworked, underpaid entertainer and feel reassured about taking a step back, just difficult to work out how to. DS is 10 weeks and sits happily in his chair whilst i shower and have breakfast, but seems to need more interaction as he 'wakes up' (I wake him at 8.40 every morning otherwise he'd just sleep all day). He doesn't just sit and watch the world go by, he grizzles and then cries if he's not being entertained - he also doesn't seem to sleep very much...trying to find a link to sleep issue pages...

Flip