How do I enjoy my 4 month year old?

[chargedproton]

I’ve just read the “Anyone who actually enjoyed the first few months with a newborn?” thread and so many people loved the newborn phase.

How do I enjoy it? My baby is such a good baby and a good sleeper but I’m constantly bored and I feel like I look at my phone or iPad far too much.

I try to keep him entertained by:
Baby hun
Bouncer
High chair
Disco lights
Floor play

Whilst he’s doing these though, I don’t really talk to him a lot because I like to let him play independently. Is that bad? So I’m either on mumsnet or watching a film on my iPad.

I spend about 10 minutes after his morning feed talking and singing to him until he gets bored.

He gets bored with all these activities after about 30 minutes.

I think I’ve got slight PND because I don’t feel I appreciate him enough or enjoying this phase :(

Parenthood is all about guilt. Start reading to him, singing is great and he will love it no matter how bad you are.

Smiling and interacting is the most important thing, putting down your phone will pay you back in the future

At four months they are cute but boring.
The play is good for their development lots of face to face watching and talking will help her with her speech down the line.

Do you do baby groups you will get more out of them at this age then she will adult interaction is essential to keep you sane. Try and get out every day even for a short walk or to a local cafe.

They get more interesting when they can move on their own.

Sorry he. I don't know why I assumed baby was a girl

If he's a good sleeper, he must be sleeping for hours at this stage. Cuddle up with him and read, or watch TV. Read or watch whatever you want! That isn't boring.

Of course you need to interact with him, but it sounds like you're doing that heaps, so don't stress about the more relaxed times. And he's so little - he can't understand or handle much really.

Stop beating yourself up. We're all just doing what we can. Babies are hard. And a bit boring sometimes lol.

A fun way of interacting with him (when you can't think of what to say!) is reading to him! You could read your own books out loud. Or even better, read baby books and stories. Obviously he'll have no clue what's going on but he'll look at the pictures, which is good stimulation, and it's good for his language development to hear you talking.

I’ve got a 4 month old. Things I do with her: breastfeeding group, baby massage, starting baby swimming next week, loads of walking, reading to her and singing songs. She goes in her jumperoo and under her play gym too. Also meet friends for coffee/ lunch and go and visit my work too.

*baby gym not hun

He’s a very vocal baby. He’s started screeching with delight lately and he talks to himself. I used to talk to him a lot. I still do.

I think I’ve stopped as he it’s hard holding him as he weighs 18lbs already.

Also because he’s so chubby, every time I pick him up, I just smother him with kisses which confuses him and annoys him slightly.

I don’t go to baby groups. I find everything such a hassle in this cold weather. I’ve always been shy and prefer my own space and company so making myself get out is such time consuming.

I am just bored and I feel sorry for him because he should have a mummy who doesn’t get bored with him or takes him places.

Which baby books would you recommend?

I have no friends with babies. They are all toddlers and are working. I’m the only one in Mat leave and with a baby. When I speak to them, it’s like they’ve all forgotten what it was like.

It's ok to feel bored and play with your phone a bit. Don't beat yourself up about it.

Can feel a bit groundhog day.

Do you have anyone around to help with baby so you can grab sometime for yourself?

Don't worry, we all get bored. If you have another, you'll find you're entertaining the toddler/child and the baby watches and gets far less attention! My 4 month old is the youngest of 4 and doesn't get loads of 1:1 playing. He sounds just fine. I don't think it sounds like pnd, just normal doubts.

Things change fast with babies and he'll be easier to interact with in a few months.

How about walks? Read aloud to him?

I hated the thought of baby groups and was expecting it to be a load of bitchy mummies (my friend told me that's what they were all like and I believed her) but I went to one just to try it out and get out the house and I loved it. I ended up joining a few and have made some great friends.

I'm even part of a group of mums now and we take the babies out together and sometimes have a 'mums only' night where we go out for dinner and drinks.

Maybe you should give one a go. If you don't like it, you don't have to go back.
If you do like it, you have a new activity for you and baba and will be around people who know exactly what you're going through.

I ordered a bunch from The Works. They have a 10 for £10 offer or something similar. Just buy normal kids storybooks (then they last for years!), whatever you like the look of really. Mr Men storybooks are good, and Thomas the Tank Engine. Anything with pictures in and enough to keep you talking for 5 minutes lol. There's a lovely one called Cub's First Winter. And of course any baby picture books you fancy. He'll like the bright colours.

Do things for you! I used to meet up with friends for coffee/lunch/walks/ at people's houses. Watch boxsets. Best thing I read in a baby book was - babies are stimulated by life. They don't care if its just a quick trip to the supermarket! Also totally ok to be bored - it IS a bit boring at times, especially if you had a busy job before mat leave, and in winter. Do any of your friends with toddlers have a day off where you could meet them for lunch or coffee or somewhere their toddlers can play?

Do you get out much? I know its freezing but a soft play, even a supermarket will be stimulating and you can talk to them at greater length.
confuses him and annoys him slightly. -honestly babies arent that opinionated, have more confidence in yourself he sounds very loved.

If I were you, I would try to seek out baby groups. I do understand they’re not for everyone, but then again you may have a better experience than you expect. Why not give it a go? It’s not surprising you’re bored stuck at home all day.

4 month olds are pretty boring! Nothing wrong with watching films while he’s asleep or otherwise occupied.
When my oldest was a baby we did things like waterbabies, baby massage, going to visit friends etc. My second didn’t get anything special, she just tagged along to things I was doing with my first! I now have my third (newborn) and am planning to sit on the sofa watching films while feeding etc as much as possible.

I always found wandering around the supermarket then going for a coffee and slice of cake killed an hour or so too!

I love the Julia Donaldson books, Judith Kerr books, hungry caterpillar, dear zoo. You can get them all in board books x

I felt exactly the same way. hated the newborn and baby phase, also think I had PND.

Get out of the house. I know it's cold but just get out, every morning and afternoon if you can, and just do something. If nothing else it breaks up the day.

I'm in London so I did have a lot of choice of what to do. I also did baby groups even though I hated them - got me out, DD seemed to enjoy them (sort of), occasionally had a decent chat with someone.