How to fill the week

[ftmx]

Hi everyone

I'm a ftm to a little boy who is 2 months old

I'm just looking for some ideas of how to fill the day? I seem to be doing okay in the week and will make sure I go out with him once a day even if it's just for a walk and then will do baby sensory/tummy time when he's awake and alert

But the weekends when my partner is off work we will do the above but also want some stuff we can do to entertain us? Obviously lockdown has gone on a long time now and to say we are bored of the repetitiveness would be an understatement!

We are really looking forward to all going swimming so I might plan this for next weekend - anything similar to this? Any ideas welcome!

Thanks

The first 6 months I would do things you enjoy as the babies tend to like new things to look at even a supermarket has lots for them to look at. I would suggest national trust places great for walks and things to do. But also make the most of doing things you enjoy as they get older or becomes harder to do things such as shopping as they get bored hit when they are little they tend to like it and will nap whilst you are out.

At two months go places you want to go, to a cafe or for a walk, a wander round the shops.

Absolutely make the most of meals out / drinks out as this becomes a huge chore when they are toddlers / preschoolers. When they are babies they mostly sleep or feed and it's great. God I miss those days

That's the thing I can't even think of things for us to do now! I think cause lockdown has gone on so long I've forgotten what life used to be like. Last few weekends we have been to the shops and the garden centre but I don't fancy that again today.

National trust is a good idea and we have a few near us.

We used to go on long walks but we haven't mastered the newborn baby carrier yet so we are limited to where we can go at the moment

I went anywhere I wanted in the early phase and just took the baby along like a very demanding handbag tbh!

Gardens, book shops, cafes were my choices. Lots and lots of walking (sling and pushchair). A bit later we moved out of town and we did a lot of bus trips. Remember going on a steam railway with a pretty small baby, that was a lovely day out.

Babies only care about you at that age so enjoy it, as by age seven you will be bored rigid sat at the side of the pool for the 80th swimming lesson

Meet with friends a lot, invite them to yours if that’s easier.
What were the things you did pre-baby that you can’t do now- 2months is a nicer age as you’re a bit more settled in to things but without needing to think about feeding in the way an older baby does.

@picturesandpickles lol try not to be bitter, just remember I was up who knows how many times last night and maybe that will make you feel better!

@jendifer who knows what we enjoyed pre baby 😂 we haven't done anything really since March last year! I can barely remember pre baby life let alone pre covid!

So do you think your issue is covid-related not baby-related, as we have the same issue every weekend now?

We visited a lovely nearby city yesterday, to see their cathedral (exterior only) and walk through some gardens. Went to the bookshop and bought some overpriced food. It was a really nice time. The stone looked amazing and the new scenery was a treat.

Maybe you just need to start small? This one visit has led to us planning something else for next week too, again nothing major - but actually we realised how many places we just want to see again after Covid has prevented us going anywhere.

Inspiration will come, just do something you like the look of and see what that leads to maybe?

@picturesandpickles I think it's a bit of both!

All we have really done the last 15 months is diy, long countryside walks and eat take aways. Much like the rest of the country I imagine!

We used to go further a field pre covid and pre baby but the one time we have gone out the immediate area with the baby he was screaming in the car so I feel now we are restricted he is becoming less of a screamer now he's getting a bit older so maybe I could try again next weekend as there are a few towns nearby would be nice to visit as we haven't in so long

Can you meet up with people in parks or get a takeaway coffee/sit outside at a coffee shop?

That's mainly what I did with a little baby - it helps to build those social connections, especially if you can meet up with other mums with similar aged babies. If you don't know any, see if there is a branch of NCT near you, they can normally put you in touch with a cohort. Or try the app Peanut, that's supposed to be very good.

Museums etc should be open by the end of the month so that will help

Also your child will get used to the car if you keep doing it - if you had to do this by necessity (as you have to when the second child comes in the car for the school run for instance) so may be just grit your teeth and see how it is after a few weeks of doing the same thing?

As cafes and restaurants open make the the most of being able to go to those as by the time your baby is mobile it gets a lot trickier. With my young baby I did baby swimming lessons one day, meet other mums for coffee or lunch, see family when I could, I used to make something like popping into the shops the activity of the day, go on walks.

Definitely national trust

Are there any baby friendly exercise classes by you? I’ve been going to two and really enjoy them.

Baby swimming lessons?

Have you looked at the NCT - my local one does a weekly walk with other mums and babies. Walks are SO much more fun with other people.

If you go to your local library they sometimes have details of things that are on.

Feeding ducks is nice

Baby signing, baby massage and baby sensory are all good.

Definitely meals out toddlers are a pain in the arse when you eat out. But then tbh I didn’t feel upto doing much when mine was newborn I was extremely sleep deprived and recovering from the birth. So if ever you don’t feel upto doing much then don’t worry , they don’t care at this age about going out a walk is fine. I don’t know how all these people replying found it so easy to take the baby everywhere I found it so stressful trying to leave the house, exhaustion/packing everything/ baby screaming, then baby does a big poo & wants to be constantly bf. I found it so hard so just thought I’d say that incase anyone else is reading and it the reply’s makes them feel abit shit. Also I do recommend watching Netflix as much as you can because once there on the move they don’t let you 🙈 x

Glad to hear that @User123456777. My little one is three months old and I think due to newborn phase and lockdown I've gotten too used to not going out much. I find it quite stressful. My baby is a monster napper, but only at home. If we're out she'll have short spells of sleep but by afternoon is so cranky and overtired. If we have nothing on I'll take her out for one or two walks at a time that suits us.

I'm not sure how to fit in meeting up with friends whilst keeping baby nap-happy? Looking forward to have some indoor visitors so it doesn't matter so much.