Activities for a 9 week old

[redleaves75]

What else could I be doing to entertain/keep busy my 9 week old?
We currently do tummy time, go for walks, sing, black and white cards and playgroup twice a week.
What else could/should I be doing?
Thanks

Have quiet relaxing time.

Do you want to do stuff with them or do you feel like you should? Go out for coffee and chat to them while you enjoy your coffee. Snuggle them while you watch tv 😁

I did swimming with mine just to get them water confident. You can do this either by joining a baby class, our leisure centre runs them through the summer holidays or by taking them on your own to the local pool yourself. Full on lesson can wait until they are older, it's just about them having fun in the water at this age and you need a baby pool that is warm. Mine loved it and would always sleep afterwards.

Whatnow?

Excuse me?

Good question. I think it is because I feel I should be doing more

Honestly they're pretty happy to watch the world go by at this age. I recall mine loved watching shadows and lights around this age. Got him a projector and he loved it😁

Enjoy watching what you want on telly before they start demanding their own programmes on 😂

Sounds like you're doing a perfect job. Don't feel pressured to entertain them constantly, just being in the world is stimulating enough at that age. Let them watch you do the housework, take them out to the supermarket and for a coffee etc

9 week babies don't need to be entertained or kept busy really! They are happy with just their physical needs met and being talked to (or cooing, singing etc).

Pace yourself or you'll be burnt out by 12 months.

My second baby is now 11 weeks and honestly I haven't done anything specific for her this time around. Enjoying not feeling the pressure this time.

I chat to her and sing to her all the time, take her out and about with me, she does tummy time mainly on my chest and occasionally I think to do it on the floor...

I didn't do swimming with my eldest until she was about 6 months, even then not regularly and only started going to lessons when she was nearly 2, and she is very confident now at 2.5. So I don't think that is one you need to rush unless you particularly want to.

You did swimming with your baby at 9 weeks?

Sorry OP, but the idea of keeping a 9 week old busy made me laugh. Just take your baby out wherever you're going and maybe join a parent and baby type of thing if you're wanting to meet other mums.

Just live your life with your baby with you ☺️ They will get stimulation from watching the world go by. Plus make the most them whilst they sleep a lot and are immobile!

Do nothing other than having the baby with you while doing regular life, 9 week old babies don’t need entertaining outside of just being alive, awake, cuddled and communicated with.

You don’t need to be doing anything more than you are to entertain a 9 week old - tummy time, walks, watching the trees, chatting to them constantly as you get on with your day (telling them what you’re doing as you change their nappy etc).

However you might need more to entertain yourself and that’s ok. Go to a baby group and say hello to someone who looks nice. If they aren’t interested say hello to someone else until you find someone else who wants to chat. Go back to the same group and other groups. Keep chatting.

@momtoboys yes actually DD started at 6 weeks, but it was just something for us to do rather then her actually learning to swim. They do playing games with them in the water, she actually wasn't that keen on it at that age and we only did a short course. It did really help her nap though and as she was a terrible baby with sleep I'd take anything. I took her as a toddler to a water baby class a bit later on, she again wasn't to keen.

Rod my my own back though now she's 17 now and is obsessed with swimming, swims 6 times a week. Haha 😄.

At that age, babies generally just want to be held and fed and rocked and hear life going on around them. The useful activities at that age aren't so much about the baby but are about helping the parent feel happy and confident and giving them the chance to discuss and worries and problems with other people. So it doesn't really matter if it's baby sensory or music or swimming or massage or sing and sign or a coffee morning. If there's something that you think looks fun, than that's probably the best one to go to. And if you'd rather stay in and chill with the baby, or head out for a long walk to clear your head, or just meet up with some friends for an adult conversation, those are also perfectly good options.

Honestly a 9 week doesn't need to do anything much, go for a walk outside or play in the bath or something like that. People overstimulate their babies which is probably why so many children now have so many issues.

You sound like a very caring mum. As others have said, there is nothing you have to do, just cuddle them and talk to them. Your baby will learn most things naturally by observing you in your normal life without any extra added activities that are specifically designed for babies.

Sorry OP but your title made me laugh. Just relax and enjoy watching your baby watch the world. That’s enough “activity” for a nine week old ☺️

Enjoy this window of time where you can do what you want to do because it is short - mine is now 6 months old and will not sit quietly in the pram or carrier for very long at all.
Art gallery, relaxed screening, go out for lunch or tea, watch a film, have a picnic.

How about roller skating

I would suggest you are doing plenty. They do need engagement but chill time is very important. I think there can be a risk of overstimulation with screens noise lighting etc

Remember watching you doing anything is entertaining them. Mine loved music, just chilled on a blanket listening. They were also fascinated by our cat. Who was most generous in putting on performances of gymnastics.

I remember putting colourful bunting across an open window that they particularly liked. I used to think it was the colours, but it probably was the movement.

🤣🤣🤣

9 week olds don't really do entertainment tbh, but swimming is a good one to start early on, or I did baby sensory with my youngest which is geared towards babies under 12 months