7 week old

[SparkleUK]

Hi all,

7 week old baby and just wondering if there's anything else I could be doing for him in the day to give him a bit of enrichment?

He's started smiling all the time which is amazing so I always encourage this back. I narrate every part of 'boring' things like changing into something fun, sing to him, give him a few minutes of tummy time per day, show and encourage him to touch different toys and tickle him (not all at once ha). I've tried reading to him but he's not a fan of that right now!

Enrichment?! I wouldn't bother going over board. Stick some toys above playmat for hon to start whacking when he's old enough, talk to him. But just generally do your thing.

Thank you - I didn't know how to word it. First time mum and some people make you feel like you should be brewing baby Einstein

When mine was that age she used to love it if I draped a thin silk scarf over her and slowly pulled it off. She still does at 15mo actually!

@SparkleUK I know theres lots of pressure to do stuff. But it's just the simple things really like comment above. They'll be getting plenty of enrichment by being with yoh and interacting with you on a day to day basis. I worried about tiny time as mine hated it, I gave up in the end. It didn't make any difference. I carried him a lot in sling so he has some way of exercising those neck muscles

Tummy!

I bought some black and white cards that I put in front of my 7 week old. He gets excited and smiles loads. Few mins later though he gets bored. Sounds like your doing a cracking job. X

Put in a sling and carry around with you.. job done... feel secure and observe daily life

Enjoy it whilst you can, I have two 4 year olds and a 9 month old and from 5am-7pm every day I have to constantly entertain them all.. I miss the days where I could plonk them down and have a cup of tea

Wish I could like these posts, there really is no requirement to 'entertain' and 'enrich' your newborn as they will get that from as previous poster said 'observing everyday life'. Baby groups and activities are more for the mothers than the babies. I don't think babies get an awful lot out of them when very tiny

@LittleMissBumFun 5am!!

I would do a little tummy time with the help of a pillow and have A LOT of cuddles!

Time on a play mat is good at that age. Either tummy time or baby on their back with things above they can try reach up to. Anything black and white is great because they love the contrast.

Baby groups at that ages are defo for mums not babies. A mobile or chair or blanket / rug that means they can watch the world is plenty (not car seat)

Thank you all for suggestions, basic is good and definitely not taking for granted being able to just pop him down when needs be!

Completely agree that you're so often made to feel like something bad will happen to baby and they won't develop if you don't do xyz with them.