When does it get more interesting?

[FlightofFancy]

I've got a 6 week DS and I'm starting to go a bit nuts with boredom already - please tell me that it gets more interesting as they get older (when?!) - and give me some ideas of what to do!

So much of the day is given over to 'routine maintenance' - feeding, changing etc etc, and that's fine as there's a purpose to that. But, he's now starting to be more alert for the bits in between - and I'm keen to keep him awake for plenty of time in the day as it helps him sleep better at night - left to his own devices he'd nap all day and party all night. However, it feels like I'm just wishing the day away - 'how long til the next nap time when I can do something for myself', and every day is more or less the same, and I'm wishing the day away until the weekend.

He's got a little chair thing to sit in, and a play mat, but he's too small to really enjoy these and only tolerates about 5 minutes. There's no point trying to play with toys as he's just not interested (and not yet able to even hold on to them). I've tried reading, and it just either annoys him or sends him to sleep. We go for a walk, but it's so grey and miserable, and he just sleeps (and there's only so many times I can walk round the park! It's not like he can feed the ducks!)

Obviously the weekends are great, as DH is home, but he just wants to chill around the house after being at work all week - and have quiet time with his son, when I've been doing just that all week.

Sorry for long post, but already starting to wish I was going back to work sooner (not til November) and wondering what on earth made me think having kids was a good idea, as being at home is going to send me bonkers...

I think we've all been where you are.
Seems never ending doesn't it but this are such early days.
In a couple of months your little one will seem like a different person all together - he'll be taking a lot more interest in everything. Getting out for a walk is good for you. Any mother and baby groups by you - any other mums to meet with?

Difficult when you've gone from working to being at home all day but you should enjoy these early days. They will pass in a flash and when your toddler is into everything and pestering you to play with him you may well yearn for the days when he just slept and fed!

Personally I loved it when they got past the toddler stage (which I found very hard) and became little people I could talk with - around 5 years I think.

For me the older they get the better as I never enjoyed sitting on carpets doing jigsaws etc.

It will get better and easier. Enjoy each stage though as it goes so quick.

Oh I remember those days, the turning point for me was when DS started to smile and especially laugh. I kind of thought of it as getting something back, you put in all the effort in the beginning and then all of sudden you are rewarded with a smile that just makes you melt!
Worked for me anyway! Just hang on in there and as Teri said get out of the house to mother and baby groups, I thought they would be hideous but actually quite enjoyed them! (Netmums is quite good for finding out about one in your local area or your library will probably run something)

I have a 4 year old and 2 year old and felt exactly the same with the first child. It is dull, dull ,dull.

Once DC1 started to walk and talk I found it better, still repetitive but less dull.

I remember saying that it was boring at a toddler/mum and child group and you could have heard a pin drop!!! IME most people are not totally honest about how dull and routine it can be.

It does get better, enjoy the chance to sit and read a book when little one is asleep as the time will go and if you go on to have another child you won't have the time to stop and feel bored.

It is still early days and you are adjusting to a huge change in your life. So much time is spent discussing births when you are pregnant I think that we should focus on what happens once the baby arrives. It is hard work. It changes as they get older believe me and there will be times when they keep talking and repeating something again and again when you will realise how much easier it is to have a newborn!

If you start to feel overwhelmed by it all do talk with a health visitor or GP or friend about your feelings as you may be slightly depressed. It is a change in routine and speed especially if you worked full time before baby was born.

Good luck

If you are up to it, then take advantage of this time before your DS is doing very much and go out and do things for you. I wished I had been more out and about with DD1 - I think I was sitting in the house (a) because going out seemed like so much effort, and (b) because that's what I thought I ought to be doing - i.e. caring for a baby. Actually there's very little to stop you strapping your baby into a buggy or sling and going shopping / for a coffee / to an art gallery - if they cry or poo or throw up you can just come home.

p.s. I'm aware that that makes it sound easier than it is !

At this stage your child has yet to develop a myelin sheath - the insulating layer around their neurons. Myelin essentially makes the brain operate more quickly by increasing nerve capacitance and reducing resistance. Myelin develops well into adulthood but the first signs of myelination are usually visible from around 8 weeks, which is when your baby should start responding to objects. By week 10-12 they will begin interacting with the world around them, reaching for things, etc.

Sorry, geeky response. I went through much the same thing with my first child coupled with massive post-natal depression and career-related angst. It wasn't a lot of fun though running, kick-boxing and a fair amount of screaming, weeping and tantrums helped me through. I promise it will start becoming more interesting within the next fortnight.

Yes, I agree: go out!!! try baby groups, go for coffee with other mums, go to exhibitions, museums and even shopping (DS went xmas shopping on oxford street with me in a sling at 6 weeks)
You need two spare nappies, some wipes, a muslin square and a bottle of formula if u dont breastfeed and that's about it!

i wish i had gone to more parent/toddler movies at this stage - i started just before the crawling stage!!! You get to watch a film (its very light in the cinema, baby basically feeds and sleeps) and get some time to do something that makes you feel part of the world. Definately go out more, armed with magazines, books, unopened mail, and when baby falls asleep, stop pushing, find a place to sit, and read, phone, open mail etc! It will make you feel like you have a little time to yourself, and you wont be stranded with a sleeping baby and nothing to do! My pram used to be full underneath with old papers, mail etc and i would head for nearest cafe as soon as dd feel asleep. (wish i had done more of that instead of staying at home!)

I liked going to the cinema, and would drive to the big shopping centre to wander round in the warm, drink coffee, and generally be out doing something (Bluewater was full of new mums in the week).

Find some cafes with comfy sofas where you can hang out. Galleries, museums, zoos, stately homes are all good places for a wander in the warm - check out where in your area does a good value season ticket or visit once, get in all year deal. If you are out and about, especially with him in a sling so that he is secure with you but can see if he wants to (facing in slings let babies choose whether they want to snuggle into you or look to the side, facing out can be overwhelming), you might find he stays awake more.

Do your food shopping everyday - it gives the day some structure to get out and get dinner. Nice to buy from the little shops if you can as then you get a chat too.

I don't agree that most people aren't totally honest about how boring it is - some people don't find it boring! I didn't, I loved every minute of it and used to waste ages just staring at DS when he was that little, watching every nuance of expression etc.

OP - out and about with the baby is the best way, get some fresh air and blow away the cobwebs, CMOTD has some very good suggestions for places to go as well. Some places do Mum and Baby cinema - see if there is one of those near you. I hope you get past the boredom stage soon - I'm sure you will as your baby becomes more responsive.

Agree with other posters about getting out - I used to make sure I had an outing every day, even if it was just to the supermarket or for coffee. We had a library day, a baby massage class day, a meeting up with a friend day ... I rarely got bored.

It may seem as if your baby isn't doing much at the moment, but he us taking it all in and learning all the time. And he will soon become more interactive. I used to amuse my dd at that age by putting on cheesy music and dancing like a loon in front of her bouncer. It was exercise and entertainment!

Hope you start to enjoy it more soon.

Oh flight, I think many of us could echo yr post.

No-one tells you abou this - you are just supposed to sit in raptures with yr baby aren't you? But it doesn't always work that way.

Have you tried finding a mum and toddler group near you? Or maybe an NCT Bumps and Babies group? That will be full of mums with little ones - it's more for mums than babies at this age

I made good pals through a B&B group that I still see now (oldest DC is 10).

I was going to suggest reading simple books - have you tried things like Where's Spot? or The Very Hungry Caterpillar?

Or go to a nice soft play - he will probably be admitted free and you can have a cuppa and maybe meet some nice mums too? Or oooh yes mum and baby cinema, great idea (there's one here but my DC are too big and I am condemned to Alvin and the Chipmunks )

I was also wondering if you might have PND. Talk to yr HV or GP.

God that sounds exactly how I was with DD1!

Agree what what everyone else has said...

At this age, don't think too much about doing things for him - do things for you instead. Go shopping / walking / to museums / bookshops / whatever you like basically! At this age they can just fit in with whatever you;re doing, so enjoy it while it lasts (easier said than done, I know!)

Most churches seem to hold some kind of toddler group - I found them a great place to meet other mums and have a chat. Look on the NCT website to see if there are any meet-ups / 'open house' groups near you.

And don't worry it will get less boring!

Thanks guys - I'll definitely try and get out more. I'm sure the weather isn't helping as well.

Cinema is a good one - will check out what's on at our local one once half term is over, as I know they do mum and baby sessions during term time. I do have a series of things to do - coffee with NCT buddies, mum and baby groups, clinic etc, - so I think it's just the monday/friday syndrome (when DH has gone back to work, or when I've had all week kicking around the house).

I'm not very good at sitting around relaxing at the best of times so need to kick myself up the backside and get out of the house!

Will try and find some out and about things that keep him awake, so we're not up all night as well!