So what do I DO with a 7 week old?

[sushistar]

He's just started crying because he's bored/wants attention I think. Before I could just feed him and he would be happy. Now he wants interaction - alot. What do I DO with him? I have so little experienec with small babies, I just sing songs and stuff but he looks bored. He likes his mobile, but I know he needs human interaction too. I love him to bits but sometimes I feel at a loss!

[Tommy]

sit him in his little chair and just chat to him as you get on with things.

feed him and chat

take him out for walks and talk to him

meet other mums for coffee and you can all chat with all your babies

meet anyone for coffee - even if they do not have a abby - they will talk to him too.

take him swimming

Anything and nothing special really! Just enjoy it

[spicemonster]

Tickle him, sing songs, walk around with him and show him stuff (like the garden, the kitchen etc). It's all new to him.

Have you got a sling? Little babies love being carted about with you and seeing what you're up to.

He isn't bored, I promise you! They just have trouble focussing when they're that small so look a bit blank.

[callmeovercautious]

Sit him near a window or a patio door and tell him all the things you can see.

Get some soft books and chat to him about the pictures.

Talk constantly and have lo with you in every room, tell him about what you are doing while you do it and he will be absorbing all sort of things. I am sure DD could cook a spag bol all by herself by now!

[NoBiggy]

Go walkies, go to the shop, go for a drive, gaze into each other's eyes...probably a bit small for a massage but now would be a good time to find someone running a course and book up.

Give a commentary on what you're doing, supposed to help with language development. Do it with no one else around if you feel daft.

[PavlovtheCat]

He is most certainly not bored. Even changing the room you are in at this age will give him new experiences, smells, sounds, visuals.

If you can, go for a walk, get some fresh air, get some rest and enjoy looking at him, talking to him, tickling his toes, cuddling him, giving him a bath, and as someone else said, go for coffee with other people, new voices.

[luckylady74]

talking is the key - tommy said it beautifully - i was sort of shy with my pfb, when the twins appeared i babbled onto them straight away- just a monologue of what i was doing and how gorgeaus they were really!

[singledadofthree]

he has a mobile already? you could download him some tunes for him to sing along to while out buggying around?

[sushistar]

So I don't need to actually play with him all the time? Just talking is ok?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Talking is key!

He needs to learn about interaction and you are the most important thing in his life at the moment. Honestly!

[NoBiggy]

Thing with trying to play with a 7 week old, they're so uncoordianted they often knock the chess pieces over.

IME anyway.

[PavlovtheCat]

Sushi - absolutely not, and you dont always have to talk to him diretly i dont think, go out where there are people, talk to friends/family on the phone, let him enjoy some time without talking, to hear noises outside, if walking, to hear the sounds around him.

[sushistar]

nobiggy
I meant that he will smile and sort of laugh if i tickle his chin/tweak his nose etc, that's 'playing'! But I cant give him my full on face to face attention all the time, partly cos i run out of ideas. I just worry i'm doing it wromg somehow

[Tommy]

thanks lucklady

I'm sure I get a lot of funny looks in Sainsbury's as I push DS3 round in the trolley - I'm always talking to him - asking him what he's like for tea, what would Daddy like, which washing powder should we get etc etc

This why rear facing pushchairs are better - so you can keep talking to your baby while you're out and about

[DiamandaGalas]

I agree with the rest...lots of chat chat chat.. I used to sing a lot, have the radio on, cuddling, tickling..

keep yourself sane by going out EVERYDAY at least one time,

Try to have a social life that involves people you like, so you can have honest conversations about how you feeling, fresh air ,exercice, a good diet and lots of support from partner. These are my best bits of advice!

Good luck with it!

[Lucky13]

Does your DS like faces? My 8 week old has a whoozit mirror in her pram and a baby gym with a big mirror above and she smiles away at them. She seems content to play while i do my housework - although i do chat constantly to her as well.