2wk old DD much more alert and awake now between feeds - what do I DO with her??!

[Caz10]

Sorry this is such a silly question, but if you can't ask here...!

DD is 13 days old - for the 1st 10 days or so she just slept and ate, going straight back to sleep after every feed. Now I notice that between some feeds, not all, she is awake and alert for a good hour or so. She is content, not crying unless a nappy needs changed or she's hungry again, but is very wide awake! I feel bad just plonking her back in her crib, but she gets cranky if I sit with her on my lap for too long - what should I do with her?! I'm starting to feel guilty that I'm missing an opportunity to stimulate her somehow, but unsure what a 2wk old would like or is capable of! I have a bouncy chair, can she sit in that or is she too small? Read her a book earlier and felt a bit silly...

Interact with her. Hold her, or put her in the bouncy chair if she prefers, the smile at her, pull funny faces, kiss her and sing her silly songs. Wave coloured things in front of her. Tell her about yourself. Give her a massage... do whatever you want that will help you get to know each other.

I loved this stage. I would spend hours in bed with DD next to me just watching me as I chatted to her .

Enjoy!

Sing, sing, sing and then sing a bit more. I felt silly talking to my newborns too.
Walk about with her and tell her what you're doing.
Lots of people will tell you to put her in a sling .

i was at a bit of a loss when my dd got to this stage, they say it is never to early for books, and if she seems happy in her crib don't feel bad. I talk to my dd, make faces at her, put her in her bouncy chair, walk her around, shes 7 weeks now and awake most of the day, its exhausting, but shes got a cracking smile

:: whispers :: I used to read to mine too
I think babies like the sound of their mother's voice. I used to give DS1 a running commentry of the things I was doing.

Take her for a walk , under a baby gym for a few minutes or in pram/cot with a mobile ? She's not too little for a bouncy chair will like the reassuring sound of your voice but possibly not appereciate a story just yet !

try mobiles, play gyms with things hanging down = they worked really well for my dd. Also dh bought me a book with an activity to do every week for the first 5 years, starting at newborn, you might not want to follow it religiously but i found it good fun in those "what do i do with her now" moments....will post again with title and author when dd wakes up (book is in her room and she is napping right now). If i don't do it today i will do it in a couple of days - family arriving this pm for xmas!

Smell her head and suck her feet.

I used to sing to mine at that age and stare at her for ages, she's nearly 7 months now and LOVES me singing to her....................oh I'm feeling broody

thank you all! it's a cliche, but where is the instruction manual?! feeding just now, then we shall have some singing/chatting/foot sucking (?!) time.

countryhousehotel, i would LOVE the name of that book when you get a minute.

ps pistachio sadly our washing machine is in the shed, think social services would have me for that one!

put her in a wrap sling and let her feel the routine of your day while you potter around the house like she used to when she was inside you.

&

talking about books, perfect time to get 'the Social Baby' by Lyn Murray and Liz Andrews. Shows how clued up tiny babies really are. For a fiver you can buy a wonderful black and white mobile and some little black and white books to 'read' with your baby from now. the social baby

Fantastic website, thanks!

Here is the book, in case the link doesn't work it's called Fun Start, An Activity a Week to Maximise Your Baby's Potential by June Oberlander.

www.amazon.co.uk/Fun-Start-Maximize-Babys-Potential/dp/0007245653/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8& s=books&qid=119 8842588&sr=8-1

there's also one published by Gymboree for babies which just covers the first year. Anyway, if you go on to Amazon and search there are quite a few available. Hope you find something.

lots of talking singing, peepo etc dd loved being told what i was doing and now asks what im doing.
short times in bouncey chair should be fine we flattened ours a bit so it wasnt so upright

Thanks all for the advice here! kiskidee the social baby stuff is great I ordered their book and the black and white kit, arrived today looks great.

I am finding however that if I read DD wrongly my attempts to spend time with her backfire and she ends up over tired and won't settle - presumably as she gets older this will change a bit?