So what do you do with your infant?

[hamster]

Im bored. He's bored!

We do tummy time, rolling practice, chore supervision, books, muscle development, and go on walks when the weather cooperates but that only kills so much time and H's days are about to get longer. What else should I be doing? Any ideas on where we can go and still avoid the flu?

[tiki]

Well, today daycare had the infants paint. With *red* paint, so now it looks like there is blood all over her hands and pink romper

Seriously though, around 3 months was when I started having trouble keeping the kiddo entertained as well. There was a lot of singing, toys that made sounds or had lights, and taking selfies of ourselves while laying on the floor. Things got a ton easier by ~4.5 months, not just because she started daycare but also because she started being able to sit up and interact with more things.

[mccallister84]

We started baby story time at 2 months. Still going strong a year later. Our library has it three times a week and in the beginning we went at least twice a week, now it’s more like once a week because we are so busy.

I also would meet up with former coworkers for coffee after they got out of work.

We joined a MOPS group like as soon as she was born. This is a Christian group. We also went to breast feeding support group weekly until she was 6 months old. Finally our town has a local moms Facebook and we started in a weekly play group with some other babies when she was 3.5 months. We are coming up on our one year anniversary actually.

For me the key was to have something to do every day. I also really pushed myself out of my comfort zone in initiating conversation with other moms and inviting them over for play dates (where the babies would stare at each other while the moms chatted).

The flu wasn’t as bad last year, but I strongly believe that I can’t keep her in a bubble - we have friends who haven’t left the house in weeks because they are so afraid of illness (with no specific reason like an immune compromised child). I can’t live that way. And knock on wood but DD has been very healthy with the exception of RSV at 19 days old (and in that first month we only went to BF support group and the pedi so it’s not like she picked that up at the library).

[noodleoo]

Enjoy the boredom while you have it! Do whatever YOU want to do! Take the kiddo shopping, coffee shop, meet up with friends, or just sit at home and binge watch TV. Once the kid is mobile you are done for! Lol!

[estrellita]

IMO you're doing plenty! At that age E could lay on the play mat or sit in the vibrating chair for a while happily. A loves the toys hanging on the chair and the play mat (that we have to replace thanks to my cat) so I've let them hang out there while I try to do other things. Either within sight or just in the other room with doors open (literally no more than 20 ft away at most unless I run down to put laundry in, and if I do that I make sure A is strapped into something and safe before I walk away). I used to sit E reclined back in the high chair while I cooked too, and I'd put some toys on the tray as he got older so he had something to amuse himself with. Maybe I'm not a good parent but I definitely don't try to entertain a baby all the time!

As for going places, I don't restrict going to Target, the mall, etc to walk around. She's usually in her car seat so as long as no one is touching her, I feel she's fine. The older one probably brings home way more germs than we would pick up just walking around a public place. You could wear baby too if that makes you more comfortable!

[mccallister84]

Oh you might also want to see if your school district has a parents as teachers program. This is a national program where someone from the school district will come to your house and bring developmentally appropriate materials for your child to play with. They are usually made out of household items so you can easily replicate it. They’ll also explain how doing x benefits the baby.

We started out on the waiting list for our district but now the lady comes twice a month. It’s always fun to see what she brings.

[dcn]

I went to the mall, target, grocery shopping etc etc. Wear the baby or keep him in the car seat. Wash your hands before touching his face or hands etc. I also joined stroller strides and took him there to exercise. I joined a moms group and took him there while I ate and chatted.

He is about as portable as he will get so I’d take advantage and just go do what you want!

[hamster]

I think part of my issue is I don't have many friends who are home during the day, much less friends I like, lol. Maybe I'll start with baby story time. He seems amenable to that at this point.

There is a MOMS group, but they seem kind of qluicky and strict or something based on their website, and definitely geared towards those with older kids.

That parents as teachers program sounds awesome, but doesn't look like we have one here. I did find a pdf with all of the stuff though!

[janegold]

When I was on maternity leave, we started going to mommy and me classes at 3 weeks. And then I got friendly with those women and we would all go out to lunch and hang out at each other’s apartments for play dates and wine, and go to other baby classes together.

I also went to lots of baby and me workout classes - Pilates, barre, yoga.

Sigh, I miss maternity leave.

[mccallister84]

Feb 13, 2018 19:14:51 GMT -5 hamster said:

I think part of my issue is I don't have many friends who are home during the day, much less friends I like, lol. Maybe I'll start with baby story time. He seems amenable to that at this point.

There is a MOMS group, but they seem kind of qluicky and strict or something based on their website, and definitely geared towards those with older kids.

That parents as teachers program sounds awesome, but doesn't look like we have one here. I did find a pdf with all of the stuff though!

So I didn’t either. I had spent ten plus years working, we had moved to the area about a 1.5 years before we had our daughter but basically kept up our old social lives 20 minutes away. And it was so hard in the beginning, but I just kept telling myself most people probably felt like I did. And I just kept putting myself out there until I made some really good friends. It was a lot like dating to be honest.

[lo]

Baby bootcamp classes, car nap after so I can get an iced coffee and listen to the radio/read my phone in peace, and maybe an errand after. At home doing usual baby stuff that definitely gets boring but it is what it is... play mat, bouncey seat, rotate different toys.

[demofea01]

So at that age I took him with me wherever I went. Coffee shops. Window shopping at the mall. Target. They’re too small to have an opinion, easily portable, and no matter where you go they’ll have plenty to look at. Enjoy it while it lasts. Lol.

[bostonmichelle]

I joined a couple play groups. DD mostly just sat there and stared at other babies, nursed, or slept. But I got out and social interaction and coffee and outside/park time. We did story time as well a lot and still do. I try to have plans at least 3 days of the work week whether its a playdate, working, going to the gym/class, etc.

[konapoppy]

My girls are obsessed with their play mats. I add new toys to keep them engaged. We have sit me ups and I am collecting more plastic things for them to jump and play in.

People in my mommy group are doing library, baby yoga and swimming class.

My girls actually don’t do that well napping when they are out (which screws up the day). We try to limit to one trip a day out of the house if needed right after they eat so they don’t sleep on the go.

ETA alllll the typos

[joy]

I remember being worried my baby was bored but really she wasn’t. What seems mundane to us is fascinating to them. She was in daycare at twelve weeks but by the end of maternity leave we were in a solid three nap schedule so mostly it was about keeping me entertained. She came along for the ride!

I wanted to take her to story times or kid museums but she didn’t care or understand. Our excursion to the zoo was for me not her. Ah well. Mostly, I made sure she got plenty of sleep, play, and trip outside into fresh air every day.

[jnibean]

H went back to work today after 3 weeks off with us, and when he was home we would run errands in the morning and try to be home in the afternoon. We do a few minutes of tummy time a couple times a day, otherwise he chills in his swing because I don't know what else to do with a three week old!

Today DS ate every hour or so (hello three week growth spurt!) So I didn't go anywhere. I may take him to the outdoor outlet mall near us tomorrow, as it's supposed to be decent weather wise and he usually falls asleep in the car so at least he'll nap in the afternoon. He was a bear with naps this morning...

[CloudBee]

I went to the mall a LOT when DS was an infant. He would nap or look around, I would get exercise and food. I also practiced nursing in public in the family lounge.

Bonus - our mall has an attached Target, so I could get groceries.

[pennylane]

We rotate rooms/baby devices most of the day. I have baby stations set up in the main rooms I need to do house stuff, so she’s along for the ride. Play mat, swing, jumperoo, high chair, blanket on the floor with toys.. rinse and repeat.

With DS I went to a baby music class for something to do. When the weather is good, we go to our local Hike it Baby chapters’ hikes/walks/meetups.

[clseale]

She spent a lot of time on her activity mat and in her bouncy chair at that age. Lots of songs & music. If the weather was nice (it was getting pretty warm), we would take walks.

[mrsjrd23]

I'm not sure where you live or if you like to babywear, but I got involved in our local hike it baby chapter to get outdoors when DD was little (obviously if you are in a blizzard terrible cold state that won't work lol) But keep it in mind to look up to see if there is a chapter near you!

[krystee]

Our pediatrician basically threatened me with death if I take DS out before his eight-week shots (we are in IL, which is hit hard this year), so my favorite maternity leave activity with DS1 (library folllwed by me reading a good book at Panera while he snoozed) has not happened. I hate being stuck in the house. I have cheated by going to the library, but I haven't gone to a restaurant with him yet. I miss the relxed dinners H and I ate at restaurants with baby DS1 in his car seat, but now that we have a nearly three year old, dinners out aren't that relaxing anymore anyway, I guess.

He is in various containment devices a lot--his rock n play, his vibrating bouncy chair, his boppy lounger, or his swing. He naps on my chest for maybe a half-hour episode or two on HGTV or some Olympics every day. I read him the "That's Not My" Usborne books and guide his hand to feel all the textures, and I sing him songs. That's about it. Oh, sometimes we go to my mom's house.

Am I being too paranoid by not bringing him places?

[mccallister84]

Feb 13, 2018 23:50:38 GMT -5 krystee said:

Our pediatrician basically threatened me with death if I take DS out before his eight-week shots (we are in IL, which is hit hard this year), so my favorite maternity leave activity with DS1 (library folllwed by me reading a good book at Panera while he snoozed) has not happened. I hate being stuck in the house. I have cheated by going to the library, but I haven't gone to a restaurant with him yet. I miss the relxed dinners H and I ate at restaurants with baby DS1 in his car seat, but now that we have a nearly three year old, dinners out aren't that relaxing anymore anyway, I guess.

He is in various containment devices a lot--his rock n play, his vibrating bouncy chair, his boppy lounger, or his swing. He naps on my chest for maybe a half-hour episode or two on HGTV or some Olympics every day. I read him the "That's Not My" Usborne books and guide his hand to feel all the textures, and I sing him songs. That's about it. Oh, sometimes we go to my mom's house.

Am I being too paranoid by not bringing him places?

I was much more cautious about bringing DD out until she had her first round of vaccinations.

[steamboat185]

I second, third, or fourth whomever said to do what you want the baby doesn’t care. As long as you talk to them they are just along for the ride. Even at 18 months my toddler doesn’t much care where we go as long as we do something- even looking out the back window for 10 minutes is fascinating for her (the 4 year old has very strong opinions).
We did a ton of random errands that we’d never do otherwise- keys made, knives sharpened, quotes on house projects, I took the dogs and kid on a long walk everyday, I went to art galleries, and just took her out for a coffee if I was bored.

[konapoppy]

krystee we were cautious for the first 12 weeks. We took them out but covered their car seats with a muslin blanket. We had anyone, including us, wash hands upon entering the house or touching the girls.

[hamster]

krystee I do take him out, but always in the front pack. So far only one old lady had touched his head, and I use hand sanitizer before taking him out. I'm usually a lot more chill about germs, but it's so bad out there this year.

[joy]

Oh my, krystee. That’s intense. Our pediatrician offered no threats like that!

EDIT - oh, I see - born in this flu season. Mine was born at the end of summer. Two very different situations!

[hamster]

lo, @kirkette how is baby boot camp? We have one here, but I've never an done organized workout (or really, ANY workout - sedentary for lyfe!). I Facebook stalked the instructor and she's big on the MLM schemes so I just assume she will be annoying.

[macmars45]

I had a weekly play date with my BFF & her DD from the time our kiddos were 3 months old on.
I called my mom & sisters a lot.

My H is gone 11 hours a day (including commuting time) M-F. It's a lot of hours to fill.

[redpenmama]

I joined a playgroup because we were bored. It was wonderful -- I made friends (I was the first of my group of friends to have a baby, so they all sort of wrote me off after DD1 was born), and it gave us something to do during the day.

[gt7301b]

Go for walks, drink coffee, snuggle with the baby and watch netflix (and read some books/listen to music).

I loved that age cause he only really wanted food and was pretty chill.