What activities do you do with your baby?

Becky - posted on 03/10/2009

Marcus loves to spend time in his swing. Since he is starting to move more he likes his time on his activity mat with the dangling toys and a mirror that he spends a lot of time staring at. We also do tummy time, he sits in his bumbo seat and watches his brother and sister do their homework or watch me make dinner or do things in the kitchen. He also likes to sit with Dad and watch tv and watch Dad play video games. Talking, dancing with Mom and being "flown" around the house on his belly are always a good time too.

Shannon - posted on 03/09/2009

During Tinsley's awake hours we like to do lots of activities for short periods of time to keep it interesting. She loves to play in her swing, spend time on her playmat...both on her back and tummy, play around in her jumper that hangs for the door frames, spend time in her exersaucer, go for walks in the stroller, go to the nearby park now that the weather is warming, do mommy and baby exercising, she sits in her bumbo and we read books and play with toys, watch baby einstein videos and we love to go to Target and wander for hours while she chills in the Baby Bjorn!

Rebecca - posted on 03/09/2009

If I'm in the kitchen or laundry I put her in the bouncy chair or on a blanket on the floor nearby so she watches the flurry of activity and coos. Shes loves her "back" time with the dangly toys - especially if theres music and flashing lights! Watching the ceiling fan on its lowest setting is captivating too. She also is a good tv watcher so we've had to be more aware of what we watch when shes in sight of it. She also likes it when her holder (me or other person) is chatting with another, talking in her own way at the same time. Walks in the stroller or shoulder pack are great - outside stimuli and exercise for me to boot!

Alison - posted on 03/09/2009

During his awake time, I love to read to him (he loves storybooks with lots of colorful pictures)...I give him baby massages with baby oil...I'll put on some music and sing and dance or make his stuffed animals sing and dance...I'll try to give him tummy time (only he doesn't like this---BUT he just started rolling over so now he can regulate his own tummy time a bit)...

My husband talks to our him constantly about sports and future plans with him...he LOVES playing "Super Baby" with his dad where he'll pick our son up and "fly" him around the house on his tummy.

Eric also LOVES mirrors and looking at our reflections.

Don't forget babies do need some "down time" when they are awake to explore and figure things out on their own terms. We like to give our son some time on a huge fluffy blanket on the floor so he can squirm and wiggle and roll around (we're always watching him), but this is his time to do what he wants without us bothering him.

Heather - posted on 03/09/2009

We have a little tummy time, we watch some Baby Einsten, I try to get him to grab some toys, he lays in his play yard and hits things, he is just now getting interested in the jumper.

Erin - posted on 03/09/2009

Thanks for the replies..I do pretty much the same as you guys, but sometimes feel like we both are getting ADD:) As he becomes more interactive and opinionated we seem to switch activities all day long

Laila - posted on 03/08/2009

I worry about that too. I do as much as I can with her in a carrier, so she is close to me. She loves to look in the mirror and we sing to her (and she sings back, in her way!) She loves to get her belly bitten too, she lets out huge laughs!

Angelea - posted on 03/08/2009

I feel the same way. I always feel like I have to be stimulating his brain the whole time he is awake. My Dr. told me that you can actually over-stimulate you baby which can result in fussiness.

But I joined Stroller Strides..a bunch of mom's get together in the community and exercise with their babies. I found to be a great way to meet other moms in the community. Stoller Strides is nation wide..look it up on the net. :)

Aiden loves to watch TV so I got the "Your Baby Can Read" program and he seems to really dig it. Ummm....besides that, we just talk to eachother, love on eachother and go around the house feeling different textures!

Kylie - posted on 03/08/2009

As long as you are loving them and spending time giving cuddles and looking into their eyes and communicating your doing the right thing.  Some activities we do are: baby massage, weight bearing on the kitchen bench.( he loves this and thinks he’s pretty clever because he can stand)  I pick him up and take him for walks around the garden, bring him outside in his bouncer to watch me  hang out the washing, lay next to him during tummy time and encourage him, sing songs and do round and round the garden on his tummy, and lots of kisses and talking to him. He also loves nappy off time, bath time and watching his 4 year old sister do her thing.