Awake All Day - What Do I Do With Him?

Cathy - posted on 04/22/2009

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If you have a front opening washing machine, try sitting your baby in a bouncy chair infront of it. The noise and spinning motion can have a nice hypnotizing effect on a baby!

Jennie - posted on 04/22/2009

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You know my little girl Madelynne is almost 3 months and she is doing amazing. Babys growth is so hard to compare but I would say he should be able to lay on his belly and pull his head from the floor not for very long and starting to smile and coo and he should start to reconize familar faces like mom dad siblings. I think thats mainly all of his growth now. as far as for the sleeping and what to do with him. Hes probably going through a growth spurt now and thats why hes up and I believe that its ok but if you are really concerned about it call your doctor and see what he thinks. Other wise things to do with him have lots of tummy time that helps with strengthing his muscels, maybe have him in a swing, I just bought my daughter one of those foam chairs where a tray can attach and they learn how to sit up and play. You could dance and sing to him I know my daughter loves when we do that. I good one to is to lay him in his car seat with a blanket for padding under his butt and back and have him watch you clean or what ever and rotate his chair every couple of hours and my daughter I have her do that when I have lots to do and she loves it. Never leave your baby on floor for tummy time with out you being there though which Im sure you know that but I just always tell people that cause it can be very dangerous for your baby if they arent able to hold there head real good which they shouldnt at his age. Good Luck to you hope things work out better for you and hope I helped with soemthings for you. Take care

Abby - posted on 04/21/2009

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Me too! My daughter (now 3.5 months) is the same way. I have to hold her during naps during the day, though she sleeps in her crib all night on her own. Children are odd creatures! I have two swings (one in more of a laying position and the other in a more upright one), a play mat, tummy time is usually fun. She also loves her mobile and playing in her crib for short periods. It is tiresome at times, but I keep reminding myself that all too soon she will not be wanting my attention at all. I am trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

Amber - posted on 04/10/2009

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My son went through a phase of a few weeks of doing this same thing. I was so worried that there was something wrong and that he wasn't getting appropriate sleep. The dr. told me not to worry about it. He is out of that phase now and he is back to napping during the day. My son hated everything the swing the bouncy seat so I had to just carry him all the time. A carrier was great, but he hated sling ones I had to use a front carrier. I also found that I could lay him down on his stomach and he would stay asleep. I know they say not to do this but it is the only way he will nap.

Chrissy - posted on 04/09/2009

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I have the same problem!! if i try to put him to sleep he just cries so i play with him and try to tire him out but only i get tired

Suzanne - posted on 04/09/2009

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I think we're all going through the same thing at this stage it sounds!

What do I do...well we switch off from playmat to baby yoga to walking around the house in her babywrap (love it!) to chatting with each other to bath time to....and when mommy needs a break we get in the car and go window shopping...I don't even enjoy shopping that much but the change of pace is good for both her and me...gives us a break in the afternoon. Then we get home and see what else we can do....she's starting to see alot further and concentrating on colour more which is so fun to watch

Sarah - posted on 04/02/2009

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Babies at 9 weeks need more sleep during the day - I have three children and have gone to a family care cottage with each of them. They generally recommend a feed-play-sleep routine, meaning when they wake up feed them, let them play for a while, watch for tired signs and pop them back into bed. Clover is now 12 weeks old and is up for about 1 1/2 hours and sleeping for 1 1/2 to 3 hours. In that time she feeds, plays on her mat or talks to me, has a nappy change and then I swaddle her and put her back to bed. It's not foolproof but it gives you something to aim for. I swear by the swaddling, it's a cue for her that its bedtime. Sometimes, when she won't settle, I use a sling which I have used since birth, it adapts with her as she grows. Oh, and she is just starting to sleep for about 6 or 7 hours between feeds overnight. The tired cues are the big thing, things like clenched fists, red eyes, hiccuping, staring - sleep is a really important part of development.

Michelle - posted on 04/02/2009

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I am a student and when I am doing homework from home I put my baby in the swing by the window, that way she is still close enough to me, also so she can look outside or the things on her swing, this usually gives me an hour or so to get things done. Also before i start a new task I like to feed her that way I know she is happy for a little bit. hope this helps

Dana - posted on 04/02/2009

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My little guy is 13 weeks and only takes 15-30 minute power naps 2-3 times a day. The good news is that he is sleeping 10 hours at night. But it is really hard to keep him entertained.....so we leave the house. We go somewhere every day. He actually gets excited when I put him in his car seat because he knows we're leaving the house. I think he gets as bored as I do doing the same thing every day.

His other favorites are: play mat (I change out the hanging items once a week) and bouncy seat. He's not a big fan of the swing, but if I face him towards the window he enjoys his swing more. I also bought a yoga baby DVD at Target for $10 that has some fun exercises and chants that we do together. I've also started reading books to him.

I'm not going to lie, it's exhuasting, but he goes down for bed around 6:30 pm and I have the evenings to do my activities and spend time with my husband so it works out. Every day is an adventure though.

Good luck.

Dana - posted on 04/02/2009

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My little guy is 13 weeks and only takes 15-30 minute power naps 2-3 times a day. The good news is that he is sleeping 10 hours at night. But it is really hard to keep him entertained.....so we leave the house. We go somewhere every day. He actually gets excited when I put him in his car seat because he knows we're leaving the house. I think he gets as bored as I do doing the same thing every day.

His other favorites are: play mat (I change out the hanging items once a week) and bouncy seat. He's not a big fan of the swing, but if I face him towards the window he enjoys his swing more. I also bought a yoga baby DVD at Target for $10 that has some fun exercises and chants that we do together. I've also started reading books to him.

I'm not going to lie, it's exhuasting, but he goes down for bed around 6:30 pm and I have the evenings to do my activities and spend time with my husband so it works out. Every day is an adventure though.

Good luck.

Meagan - posted on 04/01/2009

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My son is awake a lot during the day also, but it he also sleeps through the night. I have a carrier that he loves and it also is good for my husband then he can carry him around when he's helping me out to give my arms a break.

Angie - posted on 04/01/2009

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I have a little girl and i find playing with her on the floor for about 30min really tires her out, i also have an automatic swing which she loves, i put her in that then in front of the TV, all the bright lights from the TV keeps her entertained.

Carissa - posted on 03/31/2009

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The Moby wrap has been a godsend for me! When I run out of things to do, I just throw him in there and go about my business. I dance and sing with him... we have a playlist of all the songs he seems to like. If he is particularly bored and complaining about it, I take him outside in the wrap and talk to him about all the different things there are to see. I take him on a walk or a ride in the car. Sometimes he is content to just lay in his crib and look at the pattern.

Tracey - posted on 03/31/2009

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Thanks everyone for the advice!! Its nice to know that it is normal for him to be awake during the day!! I bought myself a carrier on the weekend - will give it a try today!!! Thanks for all the great advice!!!

Heidi - posted on 03/30/2009

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a boppy pillow and a ceiling fan...

Kylie - posted on 03/30/2009

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Hi my baby boy is 11 weeks old and I had a similar problem, but not everyday. When he has one of these days I tend to put him in his bouncer and move him from room to room with me and as long as he can see me he tends to be ok, or he goes into his swing. This seems to work because he can see me or hear me and he is in a different room all the time and new things to look at, I catch him staring at pictures, photos and if near a window anything outside. and as for a baby awake during all day its a normal thing for your baby, with me three children 2 slept at of the day and night but one was awake all day. As long as your baby is happy and healthy then it doesn't matter how much or little the sleep during the day. Hope this helps

Joy - posted on 03/30/2009

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Hello! My daughter is also 9 weeks old. She wants to be held constantly too. I have been using a baby carrier for a several weeks now. She seems to really like it in there and takes a really good nap in the morning in it. I even managed to learn how to nap with her on me. I have the same problem with putting her down. I have been putting her in different places throughout the day (her bouncy chair, her swing, her playmat, her crib) for a few minutes at a time and she seems to be a little more tolerant of each place than she used to be. I searched for answers to this problem too, but the only thing people seem to say is just to put the baby in a carrier and go about your business. Hope this helps!

Tanya - posted on 03/30/2009

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Hi there. My little one is nearly 11 weeks old and is starting to be awake and a lot more alert during the day now. BUBBLES!!!!! Blowing bubbles is great fun as my little one loves watching them....he is very interested in them. I sing nursery rhymes(VERY POORLY)!! This way he knows i am still around.I let him have a little time in his relaxer chair, then a go on his playmat with activity things on, he then has a nap for about 15/20 mins. After this he is ready for his bottle. I alternate between the mat and chair, and then hold him for 20 mins or so for cuddles and play. But i dont give into him wanting to be picked up....i'm quite lucky as he isnt really too demanding.

Good luck hunny trying different things with him x

Clare - posted on 03/30/2009

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My little girl is the same - if left to let own devices she will stay awake. We can manage 40 minutes sleep and that's it. I have a wrap which she now sleeps in for over 2 hours a day and I have left everything else go to work on her sleep. We can put her in her cot now and she settles for short naps. I look for tired signs and she gets wrapped and whipped off to bed. To get a long sleep at lunchtime - into the wrap she goes. She also gets BF'd when needed and loads of cuddles. This is the time they do this apparently! Someone said neural pathways are working overtime. Ah well..... just have to make sure she doesn't get overtired. It is something to think about. Also loook at the hug-a-bub wrap - it is amazing, I love it.

Tonya - posted on 03/29/2009

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i think the one i ordered are ok for babies who cant do that yet... we saw and lady who had one and her baby was 6 weeks.

Elizabeth - posted on 03/29/2009

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i cant hold my baby in a sling cos she cant hold her head properly yet so i stiil have to get things done with 1 hand cos i have to hold her head i ant do the wahing like that

Elizabeth - posted on 03/29/2009

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i have exat same thing with my daughter born 21/01/09

Tonya - posted on 03/27/2009

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i just ordered a sling/wrap thing from slingezee.com ive heard really good things about then and ive seen people wearing them at the store... its not premolded so it will fit your baby perfectly and i was told its REALLY easy to use... (i havent tried it yet because it hasnt arrived in the mail yet). they alittle pricey (from 30 to 70 dollars) but many people have said its worth it... especially when you have a baby who cries all the time. you can use them up until the baby is 35 lbs and there are a bunch of different posistions you can use, like if they are sleeping or if they want to look at everything around in the enviornment, you can even breatfeed with your hands free and while you are out in public. its at least worth checking out...

Tonya - posted on 03/27/2009

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... bouncy chairs are amazing

Tonya - posted on 03/27/2009

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i just ordered a sling/wrap thing from slingezee.com ive heard really good things about then and ive seen people wearing them at the store... its not premolded so it will fit your baby perfectly and i was told its REALLY easy to use... (i havent tried it yet because it hasnt arrived in the mail yet). they alittle pricey (from 30 to 70 dollars) but many people have said its worth it... especially when you have a baby who cries all the time. you can use them up until the baby is 35 lbs and there are a bunch of different posistions you can use, like if they are sleeping or if they want to look at everything around in the enviornment, you can even breatfeed with your hands free and while you are out in public. its at least worth checking out...

Kim - posted on 03/26/2009

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I have a carrier that I got at my shower, but it is impossible for me to put him in it by myself. I am a stay at home mom and don't hve anyone here to help me, so I have to carry him in my arms. I can lay him down for maybe 20 minutes at a time then he is up. And tummy time, he hates it! He spits up and cries.

Sia - posted on 03/26/2009

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my lil guy is the same way. I actually spend my day entertaining him. :-) I hold him and when he seems calm, I put him in his swing or on the floor gym. He will be entertained for about 15 mins, then start to fuss. I talk and play with him for a few more minutes, before the wailing starts. This usually buy me 10 more minutes. Then I pick him up, cuddle talk and put him back down. If I really need to get stuff done of course we have a carrier where I can wear him, but that's my last resort.

Tricia - posted on 03/26/2009

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Baby carriers are God's gift to parents. I wear my guy in a wrap (which I find more comfortable than a sling now that he's bigger) and I ca do all of the housework while chatting with and singing to my contented munchkin. Sometimes he stays awake and watches, sometimes he naps, but either way, we are both happy. There's a reason why every culture developed a hands free baby carrier! lol

Cheryl - posted on 03/23/2009

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Hi, I am having the same issue with my 8 week old son. He doesn't stay interested in anything for very long unless I am carrying him around. He does love his bouncy seat though. He sits in that for awhile and stares at the lights and the vibrations soothe him. But when he gets tired of that it is onto something else, like his swing or boppy. I try to do tummy time with him everyday, but he gets frustrated with that quickly and he spits up a lot and the tummy time makes that worse.

Lauren - posted on 03/23/2009

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im having the same problem except that not only is my little guy awake all day, he's crying. not fun! he hates to be put down and cries every time i try to put him down to get things done around the house. i just recently bought a sling which he absolutely loves being in so most of the day he's in that so at least i have both hands free to do some things. when he's not in that, he likes his floor gym as long as im laying next to him. im not sure where you live but when the weather gets warmer you could always go for walks. my little guy loves being outside. hope this helps! good luck!

Tracey - posted on 03/23/2009

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I do tummy time with him, and let him play in his play gym - but he gets bored quickly and moans or cries. I need to start working next week - although I work from home, I dont know what I should be doing to keep him occupied all day.