SAHM Entertaining baby

[Tillytoes14]

Hi, I have a four month old daughter. I'm not really sure if I'm doing enough with her, or spending enough time with her. She doesn't babble much, after speaking to my health visitor she said she should be very vocal and responding to me when I talk to her etc. Well she barely responds, she does stare, just doesn't respond back, doesn't babble very often, although I sing to her, read her books etc. Maybe she needs more stimulation in some other way, the health visitor has suggested more play, but to be honest, I do play with her a lot and talk to her a lot. Any ideas that may encourage her to be more vocal? Thank you in advance!

Sounds like you are doing all the right things and need to just do more of the same

She's not yet at an age where you start thinking about whether this is something to take a little more seriously (6 months I think)? so try not to worry, just keep on encouraging her.

Do you go to any baby groups where she could see other babies? Or have any other fmaily/friends around who can chat and play with her too (just for variation)?

You know it could just be her personality. She might be the quite observant type.

Your HV doesn't sound very helpful. Is your DD meeting other milestones? Are you happy?

I agree, milestone charts are just a guide (I'm sure most have a disclaimer stating so at the bottom of the page). Have you tried a sling and walking about, going shopping with her etc because she's at near head height you can talk to her, she can watch you talk to other people and other people can talk to her.

Bloody hell! Your hv sounds a bit . I have as 22 month old ds and a 13 week old dd. If I get them both fed, cleaned, dressed and napped every day I think I deserve a parade! I waft a Lamaze toy in front of her occasionally

I have the same age gap as NickyEds with my older 2 and completely agree with her. If you are in any way persuaded the HV has a valid point then maybe think how much overall chatter there is in the house. If it is just you and the baby all day then it can be hard to hold a one-sided conversation for very long. This is where Mum and baby groups can be useful. When it was just me and dd1 I used to talk to the radio djs quite a lot and read the newspaper aloud.

I really wouldn't worry though as the minute the baby becomes more mobile and sleeps less in a couple of months you will just naturally find yourself playing and interacting more.

I have a 4 month old too and do very little "activities" with her, she's only just started to babble etc but it's not often, a baby gym / playmat thing, a jumperoo (space saving one) and baby door bouncer are what I use, only around 10-15 mins on each throughout the day, like you I read and sing to her but at this age that's enough. When I had my first I went along to all and every baby group from when she was 8 weeks and found it exhausting, they start to enjoy baby groups etc more around 6-9 months (in my experience anyway). Sounds like you are doing a great job

Has she had her ears checked my brother wouldn't speak he ended up having grommets.