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Parenting

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Original poster

What do I do with a 14wo baby?

13 replies

bigwellylittlewelly · 19/09/2013 21:15

Daft question but DD2 is 14weeks old, she was a very very sleepy baby, and has only just started to wake up more during the day.

What should I di with her? My first one was sick so we did oodles of therapy and worrying but I find myself gazing at DD2 as she looks at me and I wonder quite guiltily what on earth should I be doing. Very placid, she is happy to lie on her play mat or sit on my knee chewing her fists.

I'm not doing water babies or baby groups as such, we've a few friends with children who we see regularly. But days when DD1 is at nursery I'm at a bit of a loss!

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Sockywockydoodah · 19/09/2013 21:52

Honestly I have no idea...DS2 is 6.5 months and when DS1 is at nursery I end up twiddling my thumbs. Can't put him down for long enough to do anything as he's a Velcro baby, but no clue what to do.

Mostly we walk around outside and wait for the entertainment machine to get home :o

EmmaLL25 · 19/09/2013 23:00

Play with their toys, sing them songs, help their physical development (tummy time etc.), narrate as you do chores, just chat to them, take them walking and chat about what you see, massage them, read them stories, look at picture books, get them to touch different textures, introduce different smells.

When my wee one started being awake more it took me a while to figure out what we were doing.

My HV gave us a book called Play @ home that had lots of ideas. Maybe worth asking for, or an equivalent.

BonaDea · 19/09/2013 23:06

Singing is good - esp things with actions like incy wincy spider. If you need to, buy a big book of nursery rhymes / stories / songs. I got this as a gift and it is great because I had forgotten so many of the old ones.

I tend to go out for lots of walks too. Practise tummy time, sitting up etc. pop them in a sling and do chores...

It is tough because at that age they are interested but almost entirely unable to do anything to amuse themselves / join in.

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Tash28 · 20/09/2013 06:25

I think I must have irritated the crap out of my ds1 when he started being more alert, I was so excited that it was I basically talked none stop at him. There was also nursery rhymes with movement ie intsy spider. At this age you're they're most interesting 'toy' and so it's just interacting with them.

He's now at 18 weeks and it's only been in the last few weeks he has shown an interest in toys so we've upped it to include those now!

lljkk · 20/09/2013 06:47

Try to get enough sleep yourself

BlueChampagne · 20/09/2013 15:11

Do something YOU want to do - pop her in sling or pram and visit museums/cafes/gardens/walks. And yes, have a rest.

ZebraZeebra · 20/09/2013 20:11

I am still a parenting newbie with my first child still only ten months but...I look back at pre-movement and wonder what I did all day

Honestly, just do what you wanna do and interact with her but I had literally no idea what was going to hit me before DS started moving/crawling etc. NOW he needs entertaining. Before, he really was just content to be cuddled, carried around outside in the sling and looking at things, being rocked and cuddled...did I say cuddled?? DS does not want cuddles on the sofa anymore. I beg of you - you have a small baby in your arms. TAKE THOSE CUDDLES

rallytog1 · 20/09/2013 20:18

I think we underestimate how much young babies love just looking at things and watching stuff. I was worried that there was something wrong with my DD because she loved just sitting and gazing at whatever was going on at the time - but it has since been pointed out to me that if she wasn't happy doing it, she'd have let me know soon enough!

I second what a pp said - do some stuff that you want to do as you will get far less opportunity when your LO is mobile.

poppingin1 · 20/09/2013 20:24

Lots of cuddles and sensory play.

i used to take DD for frequent walks in the park so she could watch the ducks and people going about their day. I miss those days, now she is mobile and its a lot more intensive.

Melonbreath · 20/09/2013 22:46

Bouncy chair in front of the washing machine

Rhubarbgarden · 21/09/2013 16:17

Feeding the ducks at your local park. Swimming - doesn't have to be expensive water babies type less

Rhubarbgarden · 21/09/2013 16:18

Oops

... lessons, just take her in the baby pool at your local leisure centre and have fun splashing around.

Fluffymonster · 21/09/2013 16:31

Introduce her to cafe society! Go people watching - you can have a well-earned latte and read a magazine, she can enjoy seeing the world from the comfort of her pram. Or go for a walk/bus ride with her strapped to you in a sling or a baby carrier. Browse some shops.

Check out what's on at the cinema - quite a lot of them do screenings that you can take babies into.

I personally used to go a bit stir crazy staying home with a baby - just found it easier to go out and about, and take baby with me.

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