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Original poster

How to entertain a 3mo baby?

38 replies

lowrib · 07/04/2009 00:45

My DS is 3mo. I'm noticing he needs actual entertaining more and more, or he lets me know he's bored! Here are the things I've found he likes so far...

  • being talked to / sung to / read to
  • going outside for a walk in the sling (his favourite - totally absorbing)
  • looking at the mirror on his mobile
  • gently swinging in one of those baby bouncer things you hang from a door (he has strong neck muscles and can keep his head up fine)

What do / did you do with your 3mo? I'd really appreciate any tips.

TIA

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Niecie · 07/04/2009 01:31

At 3 mths old my DS2 liked something like this. He could sit propped up against the side and also was able to begin to reach for toys that I put into the ring with him, something he couldn't do when strapped into a seat.

DS1 used to like his baby gym at that age and actually used to practice trying to roll over at 3 or 4 mths so it is good lying them down on their back with a bit of space to move around.

3mths is a difficult age as babies start to be awake more but don't stay interested in anything for long but it does slowly get easier as they do more. There was a lot of just carrying them round the room talking about things and looking in big mirrors if all else fails!

Claire2009 · 07/04/2009 01:36

DD used to like lying on her playmat and playing with the play gym thingy, DS the same. DS was rolling over at 3mths (actually he rolled at around 3/4wks) and would push himself up to look around more..

Have you got a sling? Would you be interested in that? Carrying baby around while you are doing your 'jobs' and you can chat away to baby

Can't think of anything else thats already been mentioned. Both dd & ds enjoyed the baby door frame bouncer thingy at that age too

Claire2009 · 07/04/2009 01:37

oops just read you do the walks in the sling! ignore the comment from me then!

Niecie · 07/04/2009 01:41

Sorry, I have just realised the activity nest says ideally for 6 to 12 mths. However I don't see why a younger child couldn't go in it. It isn't as if they can come to any harm so long as you stay with them.

The other thing I used to do with DS1 was to build small walls with fabric bricks and he used to knock them down. They are learning to bat things with arms and legs and how to grab things at 3 mths so this was useful. Kept him amused for ages (relatively speaking of course).

BlueberryPancake · 08/04/2009 21:47

In terms of toys, the Whoozits are great ( www.nctshop.co.uk/Whoozit/productinfo/4267/ )

Wigglesworth · 08/04/2009 21:57

I second the baby gym, my DS loved his.

poshtottie · 08/04/2009 22:08

I did baby yoga and massage with ds. You don't have to go to a class.

MyNameIsInEggGoMontoya · 09/04/2009 13:26

Round that age I think DS liked looking at books himself (especially cloth books, ones with bright colours or scrunchy textures etc). He also had one of those play mats with the arches and toys that hang down, and could keep entertained under there for a little while. Another one was sitting in a baby bouncer watching us do something like cooking or gardening, provided we still paid him some attention and talked to him/showed him what we were doing.

stainesmassif · 09/04/2009 16:32

pampers have online yoga videos - we are doing them now - great fun!

poshtottie · 09/04/2009 17:06

stainsmassif, I've just had a look on pampers website but can't seem to find them. Can you do a link?

singyswife · 09/04/2009 17:11

Textured floor mats are good at this age. They can practice being on their front and back and have textures to keep them interested. If I remember right at this age there is a lot of talking to them etc as they cant really do much else. Lie on the floor with him and talk to him. Lean over him and tickle him with your hair. My d loved this type of interaction and spoke really early. I like to think it was due to this.

singyswife · 09/04/2009 17:11

Textured floor mats are good at this age. They can practice being on their front and back and have textures to keep them interested. If I remember right at this age there is a lot of talking to them etc as they cant really do much else. Lie on the floor with him and talk to him. Lean over him and tickle him with your hair. My d loved this type of interaction and spoke really early. I like to think it was due to this.

stainesmassif · 09/04/2009 17:46

oooh, gladly! my first link!

bertiebear · 09/04/2009 18:43

Mine enjoys nothing better than watching other children (mainly his big brother). On the days big bro is at nursery my baby gets very bored! Invite some friends round with small children, or seek them out at baby groups etc and they will entertain each other.

poshtottie · 09/04/2009 18:50

stainesmassif, thanks for the link

dinkystinky · 09/04/2009 20:45

I started to read books to DS1 at around 3 months - he loved being sat on my lap reading story books and looking at the pictures (still does now aged nearly 3!). Baby gym was also a big favourite with him at that age and whoozit cube and board books and colourful balls he could bat around. Also started taking him to playgroups around 3 or 4 months which he loved - and baby massage and baby swimming classes which he adored.

stainesmassif · 09/04/2009 22:25

incidentally, we went out for a walk with the sling this afternoon - inspired by you, lowrib - and ended up on the swings. great fun for me, very relaxing for ds. we didn't swing high!

Original poster
lowrib · 10/04/2009 23:48

Fantastic! Thanks for your advice everyone.

So here's my list of new things to try:

  • baby nest (I've been meaning to get on of these, and I take your advice about the age thing, I'll watch him!)
  • fabric bricks - he's just learning what his hands are for so things to encourage this are great
  • stainesmassif thanks for the baby yoga link, I've not managed to get to a class yet, but wanted to, so I'll definitaly be trying that
  • colourfull balls
  • baby massage

I tried hair-ticking today and he enjoyed it thanks singyswife, sometimes the simplest things are the best!!

(got books, a play-mat, gym, and a whoozit already, we see other kids quite a lot and we're booked in for swimming soon!)

I think that's everything so far?!

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Original poster
lowrib · 10/04/2009 23:50

stainesmassif my DS loves the swing in the sling too, there's a tree above the one in our local park, and he stares up at in, totally engrossed

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Original poster
lowrib · 10/04/2009 23:51

BTW does anyone know where I can learn baby massage techniques online maybe? (The ones near me all cost money, but I could do this at home if I knew what I was doing)

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poshtottie · 11/04/2009 07:00

check with your HV (ours is offering baby massage) or Surestart centre, we did one for £1 for six weeks.

I also have a book called "teach yourself baby massage and yoga" which is a paperback.

Get in touch with IAIM.org (international associtation of infant massage) as some teachers doing their training offer free/reduced price classes.

compo · 11/04/2009 07:15

baby bounce and rhyme at your local library is great fun

EffiePerine · 11/04/2009 07:30

Hi Lowri, how's it going?

There are local SureStart baby massage classes - I think on Thursday at Fernbank? and maybe elsewhere as well. Could you ask your HV for info?

EffiePerine · 11/04/2009 07:37

seems to be one at Tyssen but not sure when the next one is:

www.mumsplus.com/content/baby-massage-and-breastfeeding-support

Original poster
lowrib · 11/04/2009 10:47

Hiya Effie, lovely to hear from you. I'm good, thanks, I had a little boy, and things are going really well, he's lovely . How's things with you? I lurk on the post-natal group from time to time, but it all moves so fast I can't keep up these days!

I did try enrol onto the free baby massage class at Linden Children's Centre, but they said it's now only for dads and young parents. Thanks for the tips Effie and poshtottie I'll try them too.

Thanks compo last time I looked at the library it all seemed a bit old for him, but that was oh a few weeks ago now, I'll try again, he seems much older now!

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