Entertaining 4 month old

[Alibobster]

This may sound daft but my DS is 4 months old and i'm not sure how long I should play with him each day. He is a happy wee soul and I feel that when he is awake I should give him one on one attenion and keep him entertained. I feel guilty for getting on with thngs like housework and ironing, although he will happily sit in his bouncy chair and watch me. Am I being silly?

on one hand, yes make the most of your time as you won't have much time to do housework in a few months/years. If someone had told me when I only had one how much time I actually had I would have laughed (proud owner of lo's 2.5 and 4 mnths).
On the other hand...spend every second you can with him, because you won't get to do it again with him or any subsequent babies...

I know what you mean alibobster, I have a 7 month old and I am constantly worrying that I am not playing with him enough, feeding him the right foods, or maybe I am overstimulating him or not doing the right things.....the list goes on.
I mentioned worrying about something to my mum and she said 'motherhood is one big guilt trip' so I try not worry about it too much. If your lo is happy watching you, he is learning and taking in everything if he wants more he will let you know!! XX
p.s. you are not being silly, you are being a mother!!

Thanks guys for your messages. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has these thoughts. Katyjo, your mum was so right when she said motherhood is one big guilt trip - my mum said something very similair.I've just started weaning and i'm fretting and worrying myself silly about that - my dh doesn't know why i'm getting so stressed! Like all mums, I just want to do everything so right for my baby, that sometimes I over analyse things and worry too much. Feel better now for having had this chat xx

When ds was born I used to think I was the worse mother in the world, then I thought of all the people that neglect and don't care about their children. Worrying is part of what makes us good parents, and if that is the case we must be the best mums in the world!! XX
p.s. don't worry about the weaning thing, if ds had been born 10 years ago you would have started weaning at 3 months!

Thanks Katyjo, you wouldn't believe how much better you have made me feel x

I think babies actually like watching mundane everyday tasks from their bouncy chair (mine did !). Don't forget the world is all new to them and so watching somebody chop carrots/iron clothes is actually quite entertaining ! Talk to baby whilst you are getting on with tasks (just explain what you are doing) and not only will they have something interesting to watch you are also developing their language skills as well (and doing the housework).

Loads of great advice already!

I'd just add that don't worry about entertaining him all the time when he is awake, you don't want to make him reliant on you for entertainment and unable to entertain himself, especially when he gets older. He will find it fascinating just being in the same room as you while you get on with housework etc. and talk to him while you're doing it.

A great tip someone told me: Take the opportunity and read books (if you like reading that is). You won't have any time once they are toddlers and they won't let you anyway!

Loads of great advice already!

I'd just add that don't worry about entertaining him all the time when he is awake, you don't want to make him reliant on you for entertainment and unable to entertain himself, especially when he gets older. He will find it fascinating just being in the same room as you while you get on with housework etc. and talk to him while you're doing it.

A great tip someone told me: Take the opportunity and read books (if you like reading that is). You won't have any time once they are toddlers and they won't let you anyway!

Am so glad I read this thread as I am having the same thoughts about my 3-month old - am I playing with him too much/not enough etc. Am I helping his development - the list is endless!

You have all made me feel better

You have all made me feel better as well .

I try and do 1 to 1 as much as possible, mixed with a bit of talking to dd whilst doing housework [hate housework]. I also let dd have some time playing on her own, so she can entertain herself. She soon lets me know when she has had enough and wants mum to entertain her.

DH also works in an aviary and we have our own cockatoo. DD loves him and can watch him for ages. I dont recommend you all get one though, as its like having a 2nd baby!!!!!

I can safely say that one thing I am good at is constantly talking to my ds - i do chatter away to him all through the day, so much so that i'm sure he sometimes thinks "My god woman, would you give it a rest"

Rosie79, I love reading but unfortunately don't do much at the moment as ds is still in my room (although moving to his own room soon), and I like to read in bed at night. I actualy said to dh yesterday that I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into a book - oh how the simple things now please me.

P.S Isn't this website great - makes you realise that you are normal and not alone with your worries

your really lucky your kid is content just watching you mine needs to be entertained the entire time she is up throughout the day!exhausting i cant even think of house work,any suggestions on how to make her play on her own?

my ds is the same. up until recently he was a content placid baby - in fact the amount of people who told me oh isn't he a good baby, he never cries! until he hit 4 months and although he will sit in his bouncy chair for a short while he soon gets grizzly. he used to love his swing and his baby gym. he started to go in them if the TV was on, then only if i was in the room and now not at all. he just wants to be held and played with all the time. i can't even put him down for a wee without leaving him to scream! any suggestions would be great. sometimes i wish i had a live-in toddler who would entertain him for me!!my 4 yo cousins can't get enough of him.

Do one nice thing with him in the morning, one in the afternoon and then bathtime and stories in the evening will count as the third nice thing.

Watching you do housework is interesting, especially if you chat to him. Enjoy it while it lasts.