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Parenting

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Original poster

What do you do with a 6 week old?

47 replies

ImStayingInside · 11/02/2022 14:43

DD is 6 weeks old and I feel like my life is a blur of feeding, changing, sleeping (being optimistic here!) and repeat.
She has a play mat, so I try to get her on the play mat each day on her back and for tummy time. I read to her and sing to her, but what else should we be doing?
I did make it out to a baby group on Tuesday, but all the other babies were much older than her and she slept in the sling for the whole time and aside from asking her name and age I couldn’t really get involved in the other mum’s chat about weaning and crawling etc.
I just don’t want my maternity leave to pass me by and I feel like I’ve wasted it.
What do you do with your young babies to keep them and you entertained?

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PeaceLily2000 · 11/02/2022 14:50

Hi, I'm in exactly the same boat. My baby is also 6 weeks. Her wake windows are getting slightly longer but most of the time she is awake long enough to be fed, changed, bathed (when needed) then off to sleep again. If she is awake I do similar to you; playmat, chatting, singing, books but it never lasts long. I far as I can tell it's normal for their age.
As they have longer wake windows classes might become more beneficial. I haven't attempted one yet but will in a few weeks! Xx

Dahlia5 · 11/02/2022 14:51

I remember my day with a 6 week old was chilling on the sofa, having nice foods and reading or watching various box sets with baby breastfeeding and / or contact napping. In addition to that a daily walk in the park and occasional visits to a cafe or shopping centre.

At that young age they don't need much entertainment, just do what you like doing and tag baby along. Sling is your friend there if you have a clingy baby

GladysAndFred · 11/02/2022 14:54

She's 6 weeks. Babies are not doing anything at this age. They don't need baby groups, classes, entertainment, etc.
If you have a bit of free time, do something for yourself!

I feel like my life is a blur of feeding, changing, sleeping (being optimistic here!) and repeat.

Yep, this is what it's supposed to be like at this stage.

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Babyvenusplant · 11/02/2022 14:57

@GladysAndFred

She's 6 weeks. Babies are not doing anything at this age. They don't need baby groups, classes, entertainment, etc. If you have a bit of free time, do something for yourself!

I feel like my life is a blur of feeding, changing, sleeping (being optimistic here!) and repeat.

Yep, this is what it's supposed to be like at this stage.

100% this

twinkie100 · 11/02/2022 15:01

Do nothing and enjoy peaceful moments while you can!

Watch the entirety of Downton Abbey whilst eating some nice food on the sofa in your leggings. If you manage to put the baby down take a shower or sleep or do something that makes you happy.

You have all the time in the world to rush around to baby groups but honestly before 4 / 5 months they are pointless - other than to chat to other mums

savehannah · 11/02/2022 15:01

I spent the first couple of months with my PFB mostly sat on the sofa bf on demand and letting her sleep in my arms while I binge watched ER. Make the most of it before she has you running around after her. If you have a second child it'll be completely different chasing a toddler while dragging a baby around to playgroups and playgrounds.

myyellowcar · 11/02/2022 15:01

Spend time (when you have any) doing things you enjoy before she gets old enough to make her preferences known.

You’ll get to groups and play sessions when she’s a bit bigger. For now, keep going against the tide of baby tasks and spend any spare time on things you enjoy.

Grinnypiggy · 11/02/2022 15:03

Yeah it's fine. I did tummy time every day, but apart from that he just accompanied me wherever I went and I talked and sang to him while I did stuff. Cooking, hanging washing, visiting people, going on long walks, and lounging on the sofa! Do what you enjoy and take her with you!

Crumpet7 · 11/02/2022 15:10

If I were to go back in time by 7 months I would make the most of being able to put her down on her playmat (and her not escaping!) and also watching tv with her able to fall asleep in your arms (not needing a strict, no light, no noise etc routine!) If you wanted to do something sensory, try a baby sensory or hartbeeps type class. They can be very gentle but also nice for you to make mum friends. Or just buy a silver thermal blanket and a light projector and watch them enjoy kicking and hearing the rustling sounds

Crumpet7 · 11/02/2022 15:11

Oh, and if there is an outfit you have a sentimental attachment to, buy it in a big size while it’s still in stock eg 9-12 months so you can compare before and after photos. You will be amazed at how much they grow!

Garman · 11/02/2022 15:14

At 6 week old you don't need to entertain them, just cuddle them, and feed/change them like you're doing. It's the middle of the fourth trimester, they don't need anything except love, cuddles, and milk. At that stage baby groups are for the mum's benefit not the baby's.

konasana · 11/02/2022 15:16

I used to go for a little walk, have a coffee, go to the beach, browse the charity shops, meet friends for lunch... the whole of my six months maternity leave!

collieresponder88 · 11/02/2022 15:18

They don't do much at that age really. Lay under a movie type toy or sit in a Rocky chair thing or walk in pram. It's quite boring

MrsToddsShortcut · 11/02/2022 15:33

Honestly, you don't need to do anything at this point other than adjust to having a new baby, loving, feeding, caring & cuddling and allowing yourself the time to recover from pregnancy and childbirth.

All the activity stuff can come later - newborns are too young to engage/understand yet and also need time to adjust to not being inside you any more. Your baby has only been in the world for six weeks! It's a HUGE adjustment fir them so all they need is you and to feel secure and safe in their new environment.

Just try and rest, make the most of the time to enjoy films, tv shows etc and enjoy a period of not having to do anything else.

RidingMyBike · 11/02/2022 17:57

Nothing. She's six weeks old. I used to take mine to a toddler group every weekday morning at that age but that was for my benefit - she just slept in the sling or fed the whole time!

Get as many chores etc done as you can whilst she's awake (I used to sit mine in a bouncy chair and talked about what I was doing) so you can make the most of naps to catch up on sleep or do something for you.

Soundwave · 11/02/2022 17:58

Put them in the pram and go shopping.

Wnikat · 11/02/2022 18:01

Enjoy doing nothing. Babies don't need classes etc until at least 6 months but by all means go to them if you want some company.

20viona · 11/02/2022 18:02

Do absolutely nothing and enjoy it. Seriously.

zeromango · 11/02/2022 18:02

My DS is also six weeks and I worried about the same thing but just trying to make the most of cuddles, binge watching box sets etc while DD is at nursery. He goes on his playmat each day and he likes batting the toys and looking at his black and white books but tummy time is a no go he just screams and screams he doesn't spend a huge amount of time awake tbh so when he is I mainly just try and sing / chat to him.

SkankingMopoke · 11/02/2022 18:17

When PFB was 6wks I went out to a baby group each week day. Not because she got much out of it, but because I needed adult conversation, an ear or two to share my woes, and to know I wasn't alone in my situation. I also ate many many packets of chocolate biscuits whilst DD either fed or slept on me (the only place she'd sleep at that point) and I watched every episode of House... I did occasionally put her on her mat, but she didn't like not being held, so would invariably scream the place down within 30 seconds.
It isn't much fun and excitement at that age TBH OP. Just do what you fancy and your baby will be happy as long as they have you, milk, and an acceptable (to them!) place to sleep.

caringcarer · 11/02/2022 18:23

Yep I agree with other poster. Feed, change nappies, talk to baby, watch box sets, snack and rest. If baby is still waking at night you might want to nap in day too, when baby does. Grab a coffee and walk around park to get a bit of fresh air. Seriously make the most of these days, they fly by and once they start crawling life gets harder.

Mol1628 · 11/02/2022 18:31

Watch box sets. Go for a walk / to the shops to get out of the house a bit. No need for anything else.

WildWombat · 11/02/2022 18:31

Seriously, don't feel you HAVE to do any classes or groups at all. They really aren't essential for the baby's development. If you get something out of it by having a reason to get out of the house or having someone grown up to talk to then that's brilliant, but don't add more pressure to yourself by thinking you must take baby to XYZ or they'll 'fall behind'. They honestly won't.

FusionChefGeoff · 11/02/2022 18:33

Agree with pp you relax, watch films / box sets / cuddle baby. Eat biscuits. Drink tea.

Sometimes, I would do all of the above but in someone else's house (Mum & Dads, NCT friends, anyone else I knew who didn't work).

If I got fed up, I would mooch about the shops and have a coffee and lunch on my own out and about with a book.

Original poster

ImStayingInside · 11/02/2022 18:43

Thanks everyone, nice to know what I’m doing is normal. I just felt like I wasn’t doing enough because our days are filled with feeding, cuddles and napping.
I have watched a ridiculous amount of shows already and have definitely eaten my weight in biscuits.

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