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How do I entertain my ten month old?

3 replies

sleepylittle · 16/06/2024 08:54

I have a ten month old who is lovely but very high energy and very curious. She is crawling but not yet pulling to stand (which frustrates her immensely) and wants to explore everything. Her attention span is short (obviously!) and she has zero interest in any TV I've shown her. Everything is a battle at the moment (particularly nappy changes and outfit changes) and I feel like she is constantly frustrated with me because I've taken something off her or not allowed her to go somewhere she wants. My normal approach is just to be out of the house as much as possible (day trips, the park, supermarket, baby classes, seeing friends) which works quite well but DH is away with work, she is teething (and so even grumpier) and I've barely slept, so I'm exhausted. She only naps in the day on the go or on me and not to any schedule so no respite there. I'm desperately looking for activities / toys / games that will entertain her for a bit whilst I slump on the sofa. I'd also love anything I can 'teach' her to help her feel less frustrated as she loves learning new skills. I have tried a bit of baby sign and she does use a few signs and noises to express what she wants consistently (but it is normally objects or food I can't give her that she is wanting Grin). Thanks in advance!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Yourethebeerthief · 16/06/2024 10:02

At that age mine was very active and cruising about but still contact napping. Didn't start cot naps until around one year old. I did the same and went out as much as possible. He was happiest outdoors.

I recall just co-sleeping for one of the naps on some days if I needed the rest. It got much easier when he dropped to one nap a day as we could go out in the morning and do all the active things, then he'd sleep in his cot at home for 2 hours and I could sleep if I wanted. Then we'd potter at home in the afternoon.

I bought a tuff tray and he used to love playing with different pasta shapes in it. I'd give him cups and tubs and things from the kitchen to put the pasta in and out of.

I also had a basket that I would constantly swap out with interesting things. Some nice sensory toys, but mostly just interesting bits and bobs from around the house. Like a busy board but in a basket. We did build our own busy board too and mounted it on the wall as he loved standing up at it and playing with all the things. You can make your own really easily with safe locks and switches and so on from the hardware shop.

One of his favourite things to do was play with a laundry basket full of fabrics- sheets and towels etc. I also bought play silks for him.

We did a lot of baths at random times if I was really stuck and that always passed a half hour very easily. A bubble bath with pots and pans and spoons from the kitchen is great fun for wee ones.

In terms of toys he was already fascinated with vehicles then and simple push friction vehicles were a hit. You can get nice chunky ones that are easy for little hands. The pull back motion was too hard for him at that age but the friction ones that move with a push were great.

We also did a lot of play dates and those really saved my sanity. Made a lot of friends with babies the same age and we would take it in turns to host coffee mornings. It was bliss because you could all chat and the babies would crawl about occupying themselves.

peachybee · 16/06/2024 10:40

When my little one was that age we did lots of sticking post it notes on the wall for her to rip off. Helps with learning to stand, balance, hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, colours

She also loved, and still does love at almost 2 just a washing up bowl of shallow water on the floor worth various kitchen utensils thrown in. I used to do it in the kitchen with a towel on the floor for the worst of the mess but 5 mins mopping up is def worth the 45+ mins of play I could get out of it!

If I needed her to be still while I was doing something I'd tape a sandwich bag of frozen peas with a bit of water to the highchair and she'd play with that, or bits of bright coloured masking tape for her to peel off, or various recycling bottles filled with water& oil or pasta/rice

Basically give her anything that's not a toy but safe enough 😂

Hope these help! It's a tough age they're so much more aware but not there for physically enough to do what they want to!

sleepylittle · 17/06/2024 16:38

Thank you! Great suggestions. The post it note one is inspired @peachybee!

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