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How much time do you spend "entertaining your 6 month old?

13 replies

FutureNannyOgg · 27/02/2011 18:01

And when does it let up?

DS is 6 months old, happy, friendly, playful etc. I attachment parent, he's in a sling a lot, breastfed, co-sleep, all that malarky. He's not crawling yet, or sitting reliably.

During the day if we are in the house, he will spend his time either playing on a mat on the floor, or in my lap, some days he takes his naps in his cot, others he doesn't stay asleep very long unless held. If he is playing on the floor, he will rarely stay put more than about 10-15 mins before asking to be picked up . It means if I want to do anything about the house it has to be done when he is asleep in his cot, or with him in a sling (which can be awkward with some tasks}.

DH will take him for a couple of hours in the evening, I usually cook dinner then, but otherwise there is no one else to have him, and some days, endless rounds of horsey horsey, jingling toys at him on the floor or trying to Get Stuff Done (TM) with him in my lap trying to play with everything get a bit much.

My mother says he's spoilt because I "never put him down", but I've noticed friends' babies of the same age are much the same, regardless.

Please tell me he'll start playing independently a bit longer soon?

Typed one handed while DS stroked the print on my t shirt, laughed at the cats, was sick on my shoulder, pulled my nose, tried to steal the keyboard and walloped me repeatedly with a rattle Grin

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Iggly · 27/02/2011 18:18

Er can you involve him with some chores? Eg doing thewashing - he can chuck clothes about. Cleaning, he can wave a cloth about. Try and break things down into small tasks of 5-10 mins. I honestly think it's futile expecting a young baby to get on with it for any length of time so some housework can be done! DS is 17 months and only recently has really started playing alone but only for a bit at a time. So he helps me if I really need something done!

FutureNannyOgg · 27/02/2011 18:42

As much as he can be he tends to be close to me with a toy, but it's not always practical and if he's not in the mood for lying there being chatted to, he'll kick off. It's not so much about him being on his own, more being out of physical contact. I guess I feel a bit guilty about the big jobs, I couldn't take him in the kitchen with me while I clean and do laundry, because the floor is filthy (and not PFB "filthy" proper filthy) but I can't scrub it because he would be on his own, I guess I could wrap him on my back, but you get the idea. We are mid refurb, so there aren't a lot of places I can put him on the floor, and he's outgrown his bouncer. Maybe I need a next stage bouncer/chair thing to move about with me.

OP posts:
Grumpla · 27/02/2011 18:47

Beg steal or borrow a Jumperoo.
Lower your standards / expectations!

I found 6-8 months really difficult, couldn't quite believe how tricky it was to do anything. They do start sleeping for longer chunks of time in the day, although it's up to you whether you waste nap time on housework!

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nickytwotimes · 27/02/2011 18:50

it is a very clingy age.
both mne were a pita at that age tbh!
ds2 is 9 mths and crawling and will potter around happily near me a lot.

MrsGravy · 27/02/2011 18:51

Not that it helps much but it is very normal at this age to want almost constant contact/attention. My 8 month old is much the same - as were her brother and sister before her! It gets better once they can toddle because they can follow you round and get involved in what you're doing a little bit. For now, I tend to do little bits of housework here and there, a bit more when she naps (if she naps!!) and catch up a bit on the weekend. I do sometimes make sure she's safe, give her some toys and put up with her whinging/crying if it's something that really needs doing. Mostly I just accept that my house won't be as clean and tidy as I would like it to be at this age and I'll get back to normal soon.

It IS exhausting though so take any and all offers of help and sacrifice the housework sometimes when he naps so you can just have some 'me' time!

FutureNannyOgg · 27/02/2011 19:02

Thanks, it's good just to know it's normal, my mother would have me believe it's because I failed to leave him in a pram at the bottom of the garden when he was 8 weeks old.

It's tolerable but tiring, the lack of personal space grinds me down a bit. The other night I remember putting DS back into his sidecar cot after a feed and DH rolled over to hug me, I think I actually said "will everyone just leave me be for 5 minutes!" I think it a lot more regularly! DH is beginning to understand now that if he takes DS off my hands regularly (even if it is just having him in his lap rather than mine on the sofa) I am more open to hugs and stuff with him.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 27/02/2011 19:16

oh it is totally normal!

it gets easier.

then you forget and have another one! Grin

Bumperlicious · 27/02/2011 19:35

We have one of these which has proved invaluable for both dc.

Ciske · 27/02/2011 19:43

I used to put DD in a play nest as well, normally with a touchy-feely book or a fiddley toy she could occupy herself with. As long I stayed around and chatted to her every so often, she would be just fine. Can't do it all day of course, but it gave me enough time to fold the laundry, do the washing up or have some lunch.

nailak · 27/02/2011 19:49

jumperoo, or put him in the high chair to watch you when working, thats what i do, now he is right next to me trying to bang the keys, he is extra touchy feely coz he is teething

Iggly · 27/02/2011 20:24

Can you put a blanket down for him on a dirty floor? Also a bouncy chair is very helpful. As someone else said, could be teething making him want you more?

TooImmature2BMum · 27/02/2011 20:58

What about one of those chairs on wheels? My small siblings used to crash around the kitchen in them while my stepmother cooked. They can follow you around the room in those, if they want (or chase the cat or other distracting activity). Excellent exercise, too - little legs going to wear him out!

Enoon · 28/02/2011 11:49

I second jumperoo and/or bouncy chair. DD's in a baby bjorn bouncy chair which I think is meant to do until a toddler. The jumperoo is fab for sitting down and having a cup of tea.

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