Activity Time with 7 week old

Leanne - posted on 10/12/2009

It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job!! I am an "over thinker" too and believe me it never stops...I am now thinking far too much about what school my 4 year old should be going to next year! It is never to early to start reading to your baby, it is excellent that you are doing that. Brightly coloured simple board books are great for this age but I also found it nice to read a beautiful picture book to my girls at this age. They may not understand all the words but they will enjoy listening to the rhythms of your voice and feeling safe and cosy in your arms is a wonderful bonding experience. As someone else said be careful not to overstimulate them. Enjoy every minute together but make sure you get time for yourself too! Congratulations on becoming a mummy!

Christina - posted on 10/12/2009

I wouldn't stress about it too much. Just watching you doing daily activities can be entertaining enough. Just make sure you keep him involved by talking to him. I kind of have it easy because my two year old daughter is great at entertaining my five month old son. She is one of his favorite toys.

Laura - posted on 10/11/2009

i felt the same as well lol.. you're not silly or anything, ur sweet !... you are doing a great job already, no worries, with my first, at 2 mos, i think i just loved him laying on my chest and getting that one on one time .. loved it so sweet and relaxing.. they just want to be with mom, congrats girl

Jennifer - posted on 10/10/2009

Funny because I can completely remember feeling the same way once my daughter wanted to do more than sleep, eat and have a diaper change! Floor time is a great activity to do with music, kicking toys, rattles, mirrors. The baby b'jorn is a good way to hold the baby and yet be hands-free to do mom chores with the baby close by. You are doing great! Just do what comes natural to you and you feel comfortable doing.

Susie - posted on 10/10/2009

Reading to your baby is a wonderful thing-he hears your voice, gets loving cuddles and lots of eye contact. Everything is new to him and at present you are his world. Both of you getting out in the world for some fresh air and the sights and sounds is good for the 2 of you. Sounds like you're doing great! Enjoy this precious time!

Terri - posted on 10/10/2009

Hi... I hope that you will hug and rock your baby... and do as your heart leads... he isn't getting bored... surely he love your attention... relax and enjoy these moments... they pass so quickly... blessings

Dessylyn - posted on 10/10/2009

When my daughter was 7 weeks old I spent most of my time just staring at her, and most days she reciprocated. Right now your baby's eyesight is not very good, so sitting with him on your lap is good, and so is reading to him! You could also try making faces at him, and soon he will try to make them back at you! Other good activities include singing to him or just talking. Babies love the sound of mom's voice!



All in all it sounds like you are doing a great job! Try to relax and not worry so much. Enojy spending all this time with him. In a couple of months he is going to be more interested in sitting up, rolling over and eating cereal than just sitting on your lap...

Erin - posted on 10/10/2009

He's only 7 weeks old! Enjoy the time when he's going to sit on you lap and not want to move around!!!!! If you personally feel bored, take a walk.. I say relax and enjoy him now! Pretty soon he'll be crawling and getting into everything you never even knew was laying around!!!

Morven - posted on 10/10/2009

Calm down! You're doing fine! He's not bored on your lap - just admiring his mummy!

Liz - posted on 10/10/2009

Hello Natalie,

I am a mother of two girls, ages 4 and 2, and can empathize with your feeling overwhelmed and having concerns of whether you are doing everything you possibly to nurture and mother your child.



It sounds as though you are doing a fine job with activities for your baby...their interaction and bonding with you at that age is the most important. Your smile, laugh, voice, are all part of their development and as his parents, you are his whole world right now. I believe its best to gradually introduce little things to entertain your baby, he will let you know when he is bored. For now, your love & care should be more than enough.



I hope this is helpful to you, I believe your pediatrician would agree :)) Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions I may be able to help with or if you'd like to "mom-chat".

Ellen - posted on 10/10/2009

There is no perfect mom, the most important thing is that he feels loved, safe and wanted, everything else is secondary. It is ok for him to feel bored , happy, frustrated, excited and peaceful, all human emotions all part of life.
Sounds like your doing a great job relax and enjoy it.

Steph Sara - posted on 10/10/2009

You are def doing enough.

Karen - posted on 10/10/2009

I can relate. My babe is 8 weeks so same thing! Here are the things that work for him:



Activity bar on his rocking seat. He LOVES this!

Mobiles fascinate him, but can also relax him as well.

Mirror! I have one made by sassy, forget the name, but it's neat.



Books:

Black and white. the pics are kinda stupid, imho but kids dig it. Plus it's accordion style so you can prop it up next to him while he's laying down.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Tana-H...



Look! Look! Pics are way better than Black & white, but it's a standard board book. Look at the animals is also cute.

http://www.amazon.com/Look-Peter-Linenth...



I also read brown bear brown bear what do you see. It may be a little advanced right now, but it's still cute.

http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Bear-What-Yo...



Hope that helps!

Katrina - posted on 10/09/2009

you are doing fine. he probably over stimulated. just relax

Natalie - posted on 10/09/2009

Thanks Kay....I've received great feeback and realized that I am overthinking this as I do most everything :) Also, I've received some great ideas on fun games to play when he feels like it such as flashcards and tummy time on a brightly colored mat..

Kay - posted on 10/08/2009

Natalie, its just enough for him to be cuddled up in your arms, gazing at your face, you may want to watch that you actually dont overstimulate him, that can lead to real fussiness. be careful about worrying too much, if you find it doesnt stop you should talk to your doc, and watch for PPD

Brandi - posted on 10/08/2009

you are doing great. Just keep it up if you feel he is getting bored with that put him on his tummy on a colorful blanket or play some music. Everything to him is stimulation right now. My 6 week old has the most reaction to her 3 year old sister singing and dancing around.

Heather - posted on 10/08/2009

not silly at all. don't let anyone let you think that your silly for feeling something about your baby. i had post parturm horribly and my family told me i was silly that was the worst feeling, being told i was silly...

your always going to worry about something with your little man, is he eating enough, is he getting enough sleep. its normal to worry (and stressful too, haha) but your great, keep it up!!

Natalie - posted on 10/08/2009

Thanks Heather! I know it sounds silly but I was worried I was not providing enough stimulus for our new little man - I needed someone out there to let me know if he needed more at this age :) Thanks again for reassuring me!

Heather - posted on 10/08/2009

you are too cute. the fact that your worried about doing the right or wrong thing makes you a great mom!! you are doing great with his activities!! he just wants to be close to you at this point and it sounds like you have that covered!!

ps congrads!!

Sharon - posted on 10/08/2009

He's 7 weeks old. Its not you or the activities. He's an infant. Its enough.



What exactly are you afraid of screwing up?