So how exactly do I entertain an 8 month old?

[thenameiwantedwastaken]

My first baby is 8 months old and weaning is going well, she's eating plenty of solids and cutting back on her breastfeeds but now I'm left feeling a bit helpless. Now she's not on booby all the time, what am I meant to do with her?? She's got tons of energy and likes crawling around, pulling herself up on stuff and bouncing in her door bouncer. I play a bit of peekaboo and bounce her around on my birthing ball and chat to her. But after a while of this, she gets bored, I get bored.

We do do a few different activities - mother/baby groups, rhyme time at library, gymbabes but I guess since we've been snowed in over last few days it's really highlighted to me that I don't really know how to play with her. I feel like I should have more energy/enjoy it more but I get bored so quickly. Can't help thinking it'll be easier when we can discuss movies/books! Can anyone give me any tips?

Our DS is 9 months. We have found that anything he can chew on, anything that makes a noise when he shakes it and touchy-feely books tend to be good.

We have a few "That's Not My..." books (picked up at a NCT nearly new for £1 each!) which can occupy him for at least 5 minutes.

Baby groups are good for identifying which toys she might like. If there is something that attracts her attention and keeps her occupied - buy one or make something similar.

Small plastic drinks bottles (~500ml) filled with rice and pasta make nice cheap and effective rattles (but make sure the tops on tight).

My DS is 8 1/2 months old and just starting to get mobile. I have a hard time prising him away from cables (laptop/Wii remotes etc). That is all he wants to do other than bounce on my knee and whilst that is great for my biceps, I can't keep it up for longer than about 10 mins a go. So this morning, I've invested in .a LeapFrog Learn and Groove station ( on sale at Amazon).

Other than that, chatting to him, peekaboo and bouncing is about all thats needed at the moment! Anything to keep him away from cables which are clearly the toy of choice.

Sounds like you are doing loads though. I wouldn't worry.

I have a similar problem except that my DD (8.5mo) was 3 months premature, so has the coordination and physical skills of a 5 month old, but the mental skills of an 8 month old. She gets very frustrated because she doesn't yet move - she rolls front to back, but not back to front, and doesn't enjoy tummy time, doesn't crawl, doesn't sit. She loves standing if I hold her hands, but it gets boring quickly!

Bless her!

HeadlessLadyH, you sure you haven't got my 8.5mo DS there with you?

I've already waved goodbye to a drool-ridden iPhone, a drool-ridden iPod AND a drool-ridden Apple/Mac cable! Took the iPod to the Regent Street store to get fixed but was told there was nothing they could do for me, so I gave it to DS to chew on whilst I waited to get my iPhone replaced. The number of comments I got from Apple geeks along the lines of, "Oh my God, is that an iPod he's chewing?!?!" Cue me preening and going, "Why, of course. A future Apple worshipper geek has got to start somewhere!"

Was not so amused when DS deleted my recorded episodes of "Without a Trace" though

To OP, you're doing fine. DS is lovely, but I also get rather bored after playing with him for a while. There are only so many songs/nursery rhymes you can sing before you start going loopy! I have now taken to dancing like a maniac to piercingly-loud ABBA in front of him, which he seems to love (that, or he's just nervously laughing at how dreadfully embarrassing I'm going to be when he's a teenager!)

I also think you're already doing loads. Acting things out with teddies/animals is good too; having them talk to each other and to your baby. They could even have the films/books conversations you're looking forward too! Anything where you're face-to-face with the little 'un and talking is great.

I found entertaining an under-1 yr old exhausting and difficult too. The second year is heaven though, parenting becomes much more two-way and you'll find yourself having a real laugh with your toddler.

It is difficult to keep them entertained at this age, and out of trouble.

My DS is almost 9 months, and I do two 'activities' with him each week, one is a music/singing class, which he loves, and the other is swimming, which is also a big winner and wears him out so he has a nice long nap in the afternoon! Other than that, we just do the usual going for walks/playing with stacking cups type thing.

Don't worry too much though, at this age everything is new and exciting for them, even just getting around and watching you do your stuff round the house, so don't beat yourself up about round the clock entertainment.

treasure basket?
My 9 month old DS, (like everyone else's, it seems) likes playing with anything he shouldn't have. His treasure basket means he has a selection of safe household objects to play with, and it stops him touching the things he shouldn't touch.
He also likes sitting and looking out of the window while I talk about what we can see, and looking in all the cupboards in the kitchen- not the most stimulating activity ever, but he likes it, and it gives me a chance to see what I need to stock up on on our next shopping trip.

Thanks everyone - I feel reassured! I like the treasure basket idea and perhaps will act out Romeo and Juliet with Bruce the Scottish Mouse and Deborah the Zebra later

Headless and Asana - tell me about the wires and electronics! Got her a play mobile phone for xmas, but unfortunately she doesn't find it as tantalising as dad's shiny iphone!

Galena - must be v frustrating for your baby but sure she'll get there eventually! One of my friends was telling me this water mat encouraged her baby to like tummy time.