Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Playing with a new baby.

18 replies

SummerSevern · 08/08/2013 12:01

I've got a 3 week old dd. She's lovely and we're starting to get into a routine. But I've got to admit that I'm completely clueless when it comes to babies.
People have brought us lots of interesting toys - rattles, things with different textures etc.
I'm assuming she's too young to play with these at the moment? But when should I start getting them out and trying to interest her in them? And in the meantime, what should I be doing during the times that she's alert and awake? I'm singing and talking to her, but other than that I'm at a loss.
She's my pfb and I want to do right!
Any suggestions?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm · 08/08/2013 12:22

You are doing it right!

They usually get interested in toys at about 3-4 months, before that just sing, talk, cuddle and let her watch you potter about the house. Take her out for walks where she can look up at trees (new babies love to watch the leaves).

If you have a compliant baby and you're not too tired just get out and do things you enjoy - shopping, coffee and cake, wander round a museum...

What she'll want more than anything is to just cuddle and stare at you, which is actually lovely.

Original poster

SummerSevern · 08/08/2013 12:44

Thanks! Just wanted to know I wasn't missing anything

OP posts:

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 08/08/2013 12:45

I agree, you really don't need to 'try and interest' her in toys. If they are available in a few months then , if she is interested, she will play with them. Mostly eating them probably.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

noblegiraffe · 08/08/2013 12:49

My 6 month old is now at the 'wah, I've dropped my toy.....wah I've dropped my toy....wahhhhh tooooooy' stage which is really irritating, so enjoy this bit while it lasts!

If you have a baby gym, baby can lie and look at the toys, they start batting them at about 2-3 months.

lockie1983 · 08/08/2013 13:21

So glad you posted this ! Was going to start my own thread. I do cuddles and chatting and singing and showing him stuff but he is really laid back and I can leave him staring at the wallpaper or his hand whilst I potter and feel a bit mean. I suppose as log as they are clean fed and hugged there isn't much more "entertaining" to be done.

He loves the radio too ! Which is good for when I forget to keep my endless narrating chatting up

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 08/08/2013 13:25

Lockie - Enjoy it whilst it lasts. Soon enough they are crawling and you can't take your eyes off them for a second. He sounds like he's very happy!

gamerchick · 08/08/2013 13:47

The only 'game' I would play with them at this age is to prop myself up with knees bent so baby could lie on them facing me.

Repeatedly stick out a tongue if they are watching my face and eventually they do it back.

Obviously just calm moments are few when they are awake and toatly comfortable when they just lie there and look at you. But it's brilliant when they do it back.

Nicknamegrief · 08/08/2013 13:57

I would recommend the wonder weeks app (loads cheaper than the book but the book is great) as it gives an almost week by week account of what your baby is up to and in to.

I think it's reassuring and recommend it loads to Mums, you might want to check it our.

BabyTalk by Sally Ward is also very good. Most libraries have a copy, but I expect you'll find a cheap one on amazon. It is focused on communication (i am a former speech therapist) but is great at activities/games/toys to do with little ones.
Everything so far you (all) are doing/recommend I would agree with, I just thought these things might help as well both now and in the future.

Franimal · 08/08/2013 14:41

It's ok what you are doing, they start playing much later on. Singing and talking to her as you go about your daily routine is also what I did, I kept her in a baby sling as well. Now DD is 2 and a right little chatterbox and into everything! BTW babies like black and white things (more visually stimulating) I remember my DD staring at a blanket I had behind the sofa when I was breastfeeding and it was all the different colours/patterns that she was looking at. Musical toys (for a pushchair) good too. Go out and about for a walk to the park or museum let her watch things going on... Also, for later, try filling an empty mineral water bottle with some confetti, makes a great little rattle.

mrsmartin1984 · 08/08/2013 15:24

When they are coming up to 3 months start placing suitable toys in their hands until they work out what to do with them. Best ones are ones that are thin enough to grab. Or a baby gym is quite good when they are a bit younger. They only last a few minutes at first because it is all too much for them

It makes me laugh when you go round mothercare and see toys suitable "from birth" as a newborn could never play with them.

Original poster

SummerSevern · 08/08/2013 16:56

Great suggestions everyone. Thank you. My Dh is also using the baby view lite app on his mobile. Black and white butterflies fluttering around. She loves it.

OP posts:

kittencuddles · 08/08/2013 17:56

Young babies can easily get over stimulated too so it's best to stick to chatting to her. Show her things around the house.

My DD is 9 weeks and likes lying on the blanket on the floor with me next to her, just wiggling and chatting. It's lovely!!

IneedAyoniNickname · 08/08/2013 18:02

What you're doing sounds fine. I always remember when my pfb was that age, and sil turned up with a play mat as I "wasn't stimulating him enough"
He was totally uninterested, and I felt like shit :(
Congratulations and enjoy your baby. It sounds like you're doing a grand job :)

Ps, pfb is now nearly 9, and appears to have not been damaged by his supposedly neglectful first few weeks

Nexus6 · 09/08/2013 06:49

We are in a similar position to you OP. Our DD1 is 4 weeks old, DP and I found this:

She LOVES it.

from what ive read, it's all about interacting/bonding with you (and family etc) at this age. Its good to play music too.

More about the senses than actual 'play'.

Sunnysummer · 09/08/2013 08:08

Singing is also good! They can stare at you throughout or doze off happily . DS is now 4 months, and although he seemed totally uninterested in the music at the time, he now seems much more calmed by the songs I've been singing to him for longer :-)

sillyoldfool · 09/08/2013 08:16

I went to a group recently where a woman was doing a baby jigsaw with her 10week old. Bless her, she meant well but there's no need!

flossyflo · 09/08/2013 08:19

Tummy time from early on can be good for developing strength, I used to do this with my dd in her cot.

Just looking at your face is interesting enough at this stage rather than loads of toys.

Nexus6 · 10/08/2013 23:33

Yeah HV said to DH and I about doing tummy time this early on- we found DD preferred to be on her tummy on us rather than on a mat and she lifts her head off our chests. I felt more confident with her doing it this way as I could help support her if needs be.

In terms if helping them develop, it has been found that repetition is key- it gets boring but repeat reading books or singing same songs.

I find talking to dd hard sometimes (sounds dumb but I don't know what to say!) so I like read her a book- miffy books are
Good because you can show them the high contrast pics. It's good to turn off all other noises (tv radio etc) so they can focus on your voice.

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread