What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

I feel bad because I cant hold her all the time, plus when i do she doesnt take naps. She likes to look at me all the time and she gets figgity.

I usually put her in the swing and after a half hour or so she is sleeping. I just feel guilting not holding her all the time. I know its early. I have tried tummy time with her but she hates it. I try to let her have tummy time on me.

How much did you hold your DC child at this age? I cant wait for her to become more responsive to me. Hopefully soon!!!

Message edited 2/21/2007 7:36:44 AM.

Re: What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

Just take her around the house with you while you go about your normal business. Talk to her, tell her about what you are doing. Play with her, put her on a playmat with hanging things...

And thats all you can do! get out of the house, bundle yourselves all up and take a walk, go to the mall, the library...just anything to get out of the house really!

eta...I had a baby that needed to be held from the minute he woke up until the minute he went to sleep....until he could crawl. I am a big believer that babies are meant to be held! If you want to hold her while doing more around the house, get a sling (not a bjorn type thing...a proper babywearing sling)

Message edited 2/21/2007 7:39:46 AM.

Re: What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

Re: What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

Posted by FelAndJon

Posted by racheeeee

I am a big believer that babies are meant to be held! If you want to hold her while doing more around the house, get a sling (not a bjorn type thing...a proper babywearing sling)

I completely agree! There is no such thing as spoiling a baby at this age.

Or even better, get some much needed sleep! The housework can wait!

Re: What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

I also did exercises with DS for his neck and infant massage (I took a class). When he wanted interaction I would read books and play music and dance with him.

He was a crappy cranky napper too. For naps I put him in the bjorn and did chores or drove to wherever or walked in the mall (I'm too much of a spaz for the sling right now). Now at 7 weeks I'm putting my nappimg foot down for his own good. I would focus on the night sleep pattern before daytime.

We're also going out for a long walk 1-2 times a day.

Re: What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

Bryan loves his playmat and he likes his bouncy chair. He's 5 weeks now.
Also, I try and read to him. His eyes are starting to really focus now at this age.
The playmat may and bouncer are other suggestions.

Re: What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

I want to hold her but then she never falls asleep and then gets overtired adn a bit cranky. she'll start to whine and cry a little.


What I would do is hold her when you want her to be up and put her down or in the swing when you want her to nap.

It sounds to me like this would be a good time to create her schedule the way you want it to be.

Re: What should i be doing with a 3 week old.

I totally understand how you feel. DD is almost 7 weeks old and when she was 3 weeks, she was so unresponsiv, I didn't know what to do with her. I would read to her, she'd play on her playmat or go in her swing. But pretty much most of the time I'd be holding her. You find ways to do things with a baby in your arms. If she falls asleep in her swing, definitely put her in it when you want her to nap.