Is it ok to...

[StormInAGinGlass]

Do housework while newborn is awake and happy?

I'll talk and sing to him while in doing it, but sometimes pop him in the sling and sometimes let him kick about on his mat or pram. He's very awake for a 5 week old so feel really guilty but I don't think there's much more I can be doing with him?

I definitely spend time one on one doing some songs and we have just started to go to a baby group so he is getting interaction, but just half an hour here and there of leaving him to it while I'm in the same room washing up or dusting or whatever? Should I be doing more with him?

Yeah course it is. That's why they invented baby gyms! Make sure you get a cup of tea too though.

Of course it's fine.

Also word of warning but please don't think you need to spend every moment your child is awake entertaining them. It's possibly the single biggest mistake a parent can make. Being able to occupy and amuse themselves independently without your constant imput is such an important skill. Remember you're their parent not a butlins red coat.

Absolutely ! Please do

What @PinkWaferBiscuit said. Sums it up perfectly

I am SO grateful that my 8 week old will usually be happy to kick around on his mat while I do a few bits of eat lunch or whatever.

Last light he did that while DH and I ate a nice dinner at the table.

I love him to bits but we don’t exist solely for his entertainment.

Of course, it is
Both my dd's went in their prams and out in the garden from newborn. I didn't always do housework.

Of course...how do you think people manage when the have older children as well as their newborn?!

Thanks so much. I have a 4 year old too so he gets left to it a lot so i am feeling quite guilty at the moment!

I wish I’d been able to do this more with DD1, but she had severe reflux and we had to keep a very close eye on her due to constant vomiting. She is still unable to entertain herself for even a moment aged almost 3. As a primary teacher, I dread to think how annoying she’ll be in reception.

DD2 is 14 weeks and spends most of her awake time watching her sister, so I feel like I’ve got out of entertainment duty this time.

If your baby is happy, leave them to it!

Catch up on housework while you can. As he gets older it will become more difficult to keep him entertained and do housework at the same time.