How often do you play with your baby?

[ladymoo]

Do you have proper play times during the day when you sit & play? I am not sure if Im playing with my 6 mnth ds enough - as in proper play time together not me jibbering at him, giving a little tickle now & then as I cook/clean etc (in the same room as him) - or does that count? And if you do have proper play times what do you do?!

never had proper play time at that age just left him to play on floor with toys whilst i did what i needed to do

then i would sit down blow bubbles on his belly sing to him play noisy toys

our time would be before bed i would take him to my room on my bed and have mummy and baby time singing reading a baby book making all animal noises feed him get him ready for bed then settle him down

dont worry too much at this age there just taking it all in as long as you are spending time then its ok

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I don't think there's actually much you can play with them at this age. More just being there to observe and keep them out of danger.

They are too young to understand the concept of sharing toys and playing with people.

I always talk and sing (badly!) to my ds who is 9 months old but I wouldn't say I have specific 'play times' with him. More just constant interaction. I keep talking to him, telling him what I'm doing and thinking. I do sit and play peekaboo but lately, this has lost it's appeal to him! He still likes 'this little piggy' and things like that but usually he plays with his toys with me in the room or he's out and about with me talking to him.

Don't worry, sounds like you're doing fine!

All this specifically playing with babies stuff is a modern invention if you ask me. It's a marketing ploy designed to make us feel guilty and buy more stuff to make up for the fact our baby is not being stimulated 24 hrs a day.

Talk to him as you go about your day, sing, hum, smile, play the odd finger or toe game like meandmyjoe says, give him things to hold that are not neccesarily toys - wooden spoons, a natural sponge (just watch he doesnt bite bits off). If you can carry him about some of the time so he can see what you're doing up close so much the better.

As he gets bigger he'll enjoy being read to, scribbling on paper, doing simple puzzles etc with you.

Right now talk is the most important thing.

Brilliant, thanks so much lovely ladies - why is motherhood so riddled with guilt?! Thanks for the ideas too - have just tried giving him a wooden spoon which is apparantly the best thing ever - who needs the ELC?!!! xxx

Oh God I remember the month long obsession with a wooden spoon! Glad my ds isn't the only one who found it fascinating! Think he liked teething on it more than anything.

As for the guilt. I have no idea but it kind of just goes hand in hand with motherhood!

I think as long as you communicate with your baby then you are doing enough. That is what is vital to their development, you talking to them. Playing with their toys together is not that important at this age. When DD2 (8 mths) wants attention, she basically just shouts at me, as soon as I give her a grin, she smiles. They will let you know when they are bored.