Advice on entertaining baby

This is probably going to sound kind of silly, but sometimes I don't know what to do with my 4 mo. old. When she's up I'm constantly rotating her through things like the playmat, bouncy seat, etc. We read books and we play with her toys, but I definitely don't want to be her sole source of entertainment.

I feel like it was easier when she was a newborn because there was less awake time. I've always thought it was good for babies to kind of play on their own sometimes to learn independence. So why do I feel so guilty if I'm not by her side every second playing with her?

Please share your experience. Also, about how long do you let your baby entertain himself?

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

I knew my ds would be an only child so we let him play alone as much as he wanted. Not to sound cold, but there isn't going to be a house full of kids for him to play with. He used to play on his play mat for 30 mins. When he was sitting, I'd sit him facing away from the door in his room with a toy and he'd play for about 15 mins. Now he is very independent - walks around the house plays in the kitchen, living room and goes into his room to play. he's 16 months old.
You might want to consider when your dc gets a little older and you have to go to the bathroom or start dinner, if they are so used to you being by their side, it might be hard for you to leave. You might want to break that habbit now.

Message edited 6/7/2009 1:23:50 PM.

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

My DD is also 4 months.

Right now I'm not back at work so we go out alot during the day (actually, I get out with her everyday). Otherwise, she plays for a while in the excersaucer, on her playmat. If I need to do something out of eyeshot, then I put her in her crib with her mobile and her lovey, she's perfectly content for a good 20 minutes that way.

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

I let them entertain themselves for as long as possible. I want them to be independant; to not constantly need me.
I try to get out of the house with them as much as possible, go to the store, or for a walk. THey enjoy seeing other things besidees the same toys and the inside of the house.

I have found the past couple of weeks its actually been getting easier because they are really into toys are able to actually play now - they don't need me to shake a toy in front of them, they can grab it and play with it on their own. (they are 5.5 months now)

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

I let DS play alone a lot! I have to admit I always feel like a bad parent especially when I hear about my friends and all the playing they do with their kids but I thought independence was very important. I was always independent and liked to play alone at home and was hoping he would be the same. He is great at entertaining himself now and I can get dinner started... I also work so I usually have a lot of house chores to do on my days off so I am glad he can entertain himself while I do my thing. II will after a long time of self entertainment either sit and play a little go out on the swing set, take a walk, or bike ride-we bought a trailer or go to a mall to walk and treat him to something. I also found when he was smaller I really enjoyed classes like gymboree because I felt like they had good entertainment for the kids (I am so not an entertainer-LOL) and we spend quality time together playing.
good luck!

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

This is a great post. My DD is 14 weeks, and I was wondering the same thing. We get outside when the weather is good, but for the hours we are home, I've been rotating between using the activity mat and her rainforest bounct seat. She loves Baby Einstein DVD's and Sesame Street, but I am really working on limiting her time with those. Any suggestions would be great!

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

You guys have made me feel a lot better... thank you. I do leave my DD to entertain herself alone for about 20 min here and there, but I've always felt guilty. She never seems to complain so I guess I should just be grateful for that. I definitely want her to be able to be content playing by herself. Thanks again!

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

I still feel this way and DD is 10 months

I always feel guilty that I am not doing "enough" with her..not playing enough, not stimulating her senses enough, etc. I def. let her play on her playmat and in exersacuer for awhile on her own, maybe 20 min. or so. Now I let her crawl around the kitchen while I make dinner or do chores. I usually have her in the same room as me.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things!! It is that Mommy guilt, so strong!!

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

You sound like you are doing everything you can....I think we all felt like that at one point. Like you said, they can entertain themselves. The best thing anyone ever said to me when I had the same concerns, was ...remember how new they are and how new everything around them is to them. They are VERY entertained just by taking it all in and exploring their environment. I took lots of walks with DS....just to get him out. Wed also take a walk around the yard and I let him feel the grass, the bark on the trees, leaves, that kind of thing, just so he could explore new textures.

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

I remember feeling that way too. I would read books to him, put him in his bouncer, lay him on the floor, go for walks, etc....but in the end I just wanted to feel like I was doing something. There is not much you CAN do. Playing with just some small rattle like toys etc is all the stimulation they need and want at that stage.

Re: Advice on entertaining baby

I always feel guilty too, but it is good for them. My DS is with my mom 4 days a week, and I don't think she ever gives him downtime. I do the same as you - play mat, exersaucer, etc - when he is in those thigns, I don't *interrupt*.

Feeding, changing and directly after his bottles are our bonding time - he hangs out on my lap, and we sing songs, clap hands, bounce, etc. DH and I also read to him, which he seems to enjoy.

On weekends, I take him with me everywhere - usually some sort of shopping excursion!