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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

How much do you play with baby?

11 replies

lynniep · 04/06/2007 11:45

Just interested really. DH said to me the other day 'do you think we spend enough time playing with DS' (DS is 3 months) I said yes of course we do, we pay him loads of attention (he's our first so no other LO's to look after) I don't really know though - do we? I leave him on his own to play quite a bit a) for my own sanity and b) because he needs to develop and learn on his own.

I try to make sure he gets time playing soley with me - this usually happens when its changing time because he likes his changing table - so this is when we pull faces at each other and 'chat' (DH does this also but I'm on mat leave at the mo so get more opportunities) I also play him cds and sing daft stuff to him at this time.

He has his floor time on the play mat where I tend to leave him to it so he can grab his mobile. Sometimes I show him picture books and read to him when he's on the mat. Depends how quickly he tires of the mobile really.

Then he has cot time - which is basically when I plonk him in the cot and switch on the mobile and he gurgles for about 20 minutes while I run around hanging washing and wotnot. Then theres TV time. Another life saver enabling me to get stuff done, but I try and restrict TV to half an hour although he loves the baby channel.

Bath time both me and DH sit with him and play or just wash him depending on how much energy DS has left!

The rest of the time I'm feeding/changing/comforting/carrying/taking him for a walk in the pram/trying to get him to sleep

I certainly don't think he lacks for attention. Whats your opinions?

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NikkiBFG · 04/06/2007 11:46

Sounds as if you are doing a fab job - no worries there!

Angeliz · 04/06/2007 11:47

He sounds leik he's doing fine

You both sound great and like lovely parents so stop worrying. I think babies like to amuse themselves at times too. You don't always need to be playing with them.

iwouldgoouttonight · 04/06/2007 11:51

I remember worrying about this when my DS was a similar age - you sound as though you're giving him plenty of attention. When they're that little I think everything you do with them even if its not actual 'playing' (e.g. feeding, changing, etc) gives them stimulation and attention so helps their development. I used to think I should be spending the entire day playing with DS but realised you also need some time to get things done yourself and so long as he's safe and happy on his own for some of the time (which it sounds as though he is) I think he'll be fine. Sounds like you're got a good balance.

specialmagiclady · 04/06/2007 13:54

i think men often aren't really into babies so he may be hankering after future days when his LO will be able to play 'properly' with him. At 3 months babies don't need much stimulation to have a really exciting time.

But don't forget a bit of tummy time. we do 'tummy time on yer mummy time' which involves me lying on my back with baby lying on me. great fun for both.

OhNo40 · 04/06/2007 13:58

It sounds to me like you have a really good balance. I spent mat leave devoting every waking hour to entertaining DD and, whilst I don't exactly regret it, I wish now that I had taken a bit more time for myself/housework, letting her just watch. I'd have better memories of those early days and I'm sure she wouldn't have noticed the difference.

flibbertyjibbet · 04/06/2007 14:14

Sounds like your baby has your undivided attention!
I think we more or less did that with DS1. When DS2 arrived 16 months later it was really hard for the first 9 months or so but since DS2 got mobile they play together and so I'm not needed nearly as much! Well, only to referee...
DP is brilliant and can't understand men who don't want to do stuff with their babies, I encourage him and can't wait for those fishing/camping trips with daddy when I shall be lying in bed reading the papers all weekend!

Original poster

lynniep · 04/06/2007 16:29

many thanks for all the reassurance! yes he gets some tummy time, although he's not keen on the mat! we do 'aeroplanes' where I lie on my back on the floor with him balanced on the front of my lower legs. I hold him under the arms for support and waggle him about. He seems to like it - maybe because he can see my face even though he's on his front.

OP posts:

Tigana · 04/06/2007 16:30

Sound sfine to me too. There is, after all, only so much you can do with a 3 month old!

yogimum · 04/06/2007 16:49

you are doing a great job. I took ds to baby massage classes which then I did at home. Im due to teach baby yoga next week which is great for all babies. Just enjoy the time with him as they change so quickly.

deaconblue · 04/06/2007 19:24

Sounds like he's getting plenty of attention. I think you are right encouraging him to play independently too though. We always did with ds and he plays a lot better than his peers (he's 13 months now and can amuse himself for 30 mins to an hour while I read, do housework etc)

taliac · 04/06/2007 21:41

Sounds to me like you are doing loads.

We went through the "are we doing enough" stage as well and found the Mirriam Stoppard book "Baby's First Skills" very useful. Basically its loads of games to help your baby's development over the first year. Some incredibly obvious, some we'd never have thought of. HTH

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