Why does my baby get so bored?

[FunLovinGal]

DD is just three months old and I’m finding it so hard to entertain her.

I’ve read other posts on MN that say babies don’t need a lot to entertain them, but DD just seems to get bored of every activity really quickly and then cries until I find something more entertaining to do.

It’s making me miserable and I really wish I could think of more ideas to keep her occupied that aren’t mind numbing for me.

This is what we do at the moment:

• Some baby groups, NCT mum meet-ups, grandparent visits, walks, trips to shops etc - although she doesn’t like going out so that’s always a trauma. Basically try to get out for a couple of hours each day.
• Her favourite thing to do is to stand up supported and be bounced up in the air etc, but that’s so tiring for my arms.
• Lots of singing, funny faces, noises etc.
• Activity gym (amuses her for 10-15 mins but she’ll only be happy doing it once a day).
• Sitting in rocker chair and playing with toy bar (might get 10 mins a couple of times a day from this). Then I can get a bit more time by rocking the seat with my foot.
• Lying down on a foil blanket - 10 mins a day.
• Have just started putting her in iumparoo - she doesn’t bounce yet, just plays with toys. Can get 5-10 mins maybe twice a day from this.
• Read a few pop up books each day.
• Showing her colourful toys.

It’s sad to say but my favourite times in the day are when she’s napping - apart from those few moments where I talk to her and she smiles at me.

Where am I going wrong?

She sounds pretty much like my babies. They were all refluxy so needed to be upright a lot and also just cried if I didn't do stuff with them. Long walks with slings were my friend. I remember going to someone's house and it.was.immaculate and I couldn't understand How?? Then I saw her baby just lying on a blanket gurgling. Stayed there the whole visit playing with a fish toy thing. Bloody hell.

You are not going wrong! My heart goes out to you - DD2 was a demanding wee thing like this - needed constant interaction and entertainment - and it nearly broke me. I used to set up a 'circuit' of activities to try to keep her amused.
On the plus side, she's now an intelligent, sociable, creative quirky teen with a huge, lovable personality.
It gets easier, bit by bit.

All I can suggest is calling in some babysitting favours and trying to get some regular time for yourself.

5/10 minutes is pretty good!

She's not bored as such, she just has a short concentration span. She will for a while yet. And she's less sleepy now, you've probably noticed.

But, all the things you're doing with her will help to build up her concentration. And it will create a shared experience between you.

It is hard work though, really. It would be much easier if they just stared into space for a while!

One thing that helps to remember is that although she can't concentrate on anything for long, everything she does see is a new learning experience. Because she hasn't had many learning experiences yet . So you can get away with fobbing her off really to a certain extent. If there's a toy she's not seen for a week she'll get excited. Then bored, but then just give her something else she's not seen for a week. Or a day, even, if you're lucky. You can totally get away with all kinds of shit like that till she builds up a decent memory.

Bored? It's a 3 month old
She's probably over stimulated if anything

Thanks - TV taught me that babies will sit there quietly while you get on with stuff, but I quickly realised what a lie that all was 😂

Thanks- I like your idea of setting up a circuit - I will try that. I suppose it’s good that she has an active, curious mind but I feel like I can’t keep her happy.

Thanks- I will try to swap out her toys more, to keep things interesting.

Chuck her in a sling and carry her around while you do what you want to do. She's 3 months old. She doesn't care!

Nope, definitely bored! I try to have chill out time with her and she gets very agitated and then cries until we do something.

Just finished a baby massage class and she was always the first to crack. Just couldn’t relax. But then stand her up on my lap and she’s in heaven (for about 5 minutes anyway).

Absolutely this

I feel for you, DS1 was like this. I was astounded by DS2 where he would play in a baby gym for half an hour whilst I drank tea…DS1 it was five minutes tops. I’m afraid this is still the case and DS2 (6) can play by himself happily for hours but DS1 (10) is more demanding in terms of interaction. So within the bounds of normal, I fear.

This is bluntly expressed but is what I was thinking too - at 3 months I was doing very little with mine, just wandering around, feeding, holding, laying on a blanket, pushing in pram.

Too early for baby groups other than for your own entertainment.

At 3 months I'd expect to most of the time to be spent cuddling, talking/singing (you not her) and getting out in the buggy. They're really not that interested in toys at that age.

Are you projecting? I remember one of my friends saying her baby was bored but she really meant that she was. More time with other adults is good for you and dc.

God no, all little babies are attention needing nightmares. Don’t sweat it!

This doesn't mean she is 'bored' in the way you are expressing it. It could be a physical sensation thing.

Oh if only that were true. She can’t stand a fabric sling. Will tolerate a more structured carrier for a few minutes - unless she wants to nap, when I can get a good amount of time out of it.

Bit happier when facing forward but I have to limit that as she’s only 3 months.

DD1 was like this.

A huge part of it was that she was overtired (she wasn’t a good sleeper or napper). Also possibly in slight physical discomfort due to a medical issue. Because she was overtired/uncomfortable, she needed new distractions to keep her happy. I think if she’d been less tired she would have been happier to do each thing for longer and less in need of new distractions the whole time.

She’s also very bright, but honestly I think it was the overtiredness that meant she needed lots of stimulation.

I know what you mean but I can’t get her to be happy just chilling out or watching what I do.

She loves examining toys - not playing as such but touching and studying them - though only limited time for each toy.

I’m happy to talk and sing to her but she only enjoys it for a bit then starts crying until I change the activity. Doesn’t seem to like being cuddled unless napping.

I love going out but she hates it - unless she’s asleep she basically cries the whole time. I keep taking her out in the hope she’ll start to like it.

My DD refused to go in a sling unless front facing. Loved door bouncer. Hated rear facing car seat. Never stopped. Ok sleeper but we went out a lot. Now in high school and diagnosed ADHD . The signs was there from age 3mths

Sounds like she has a lot of awake time at 3 months. Sure she's not protesting because she's tired and wired? Check wake windows to see if that helps?

Honestly sounds just like my 8 month old when overtired

I do consider this but I think she actually sleeps quite a bit. I spend a lot of time trying to get her to nap as it’s much easier for me when she’s asleep!

When she’s only woken up from a nap 20-30 mins ago it doesn’t feel like it can be a tiredness issue? Obviously I try to feed her when she cries too.

Ah that was my best guess, I'm sorry! In reality they are a complete mystery really! Mine is a proper little weirdo (affectionately!) who's always changing habits and keeps me guessing! It's tough