How long do you play with baby, let him sleep, or ignore him during the day?
Kat asked:
This might sound like a weird question, but in one day, how much time do you spend with your baby?
Playtime?
baby sleep time?
Leave him alone to do something else (clean the house)?
This might sound like a weird question, but in one day, how much time do you spend with your baby?
Playtime?
baby sleep time?
Leave him alone to do something else (clean the house)?
My baby is 5 weeks old and I just feel bad to leave him alone in his swing to go clean the kitchen or something.
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well at 5 weeks he isnt really gona play, my babys two months and he is just now starting to smile and look around and junk like that, its ok to just let them sit around in there swings when there that little because its not like there going to be doing anythign else
I play with my baby every chance I get, but if I have to cook, clean, put my toddler to bed or go do dishes I put him in his swing….in the kitchen with me and I talk to him and giggle with him. If I am cooking I keep his swing futher back so nothing will get on him. If my boyfriend is at home, he watches him for me when I do this.
I spent almost every minute with my baby, in one way or another. To prevent myself from feeling “neglectful” which i wasn’t actually…lol I would talk to her from the other room or try to put her somewhere she could watch me.. I don’t know if that makes me a good mom or a clingy mom, but I know that conversing with her when she was tiny, was a major factor that contributed to her current, excellent use of the english language.
At this age girl, do all the housework you can while he is content being left alone. And, dont feel bad. You dont have to be right under his nose the whole time he is awake. And, trust me, when he gets older you will wish you had of gotten things done. Babies are easiest at that age because they dont take much enertaining. Enjoy it while it lasts!!
With my kids at 5 weeks old, between the hours of 7 and 7, I would read them 2 stories a day, do about 1 hr of tummy time, in 10 min pieces, and maybe another hour of singing, or tickling, or cuddling. My kids would both nap for a total of about 6 hours, be fed for about 2 hours, I’d spend 2.5 hours with them in other activities, and they’d spend the rest of their awake time in a bouncy seat or swing. I’d just move the bouncy seat around the house while I did housework or cooked, but if I was desparate for alone time, I’d put them in the swing where they could see out of the window. Chances are, if you care enough to ask this question, you’re spending PLENTY of time with him!
well at 5 weeks, there isnt much awake time to play. they do still sleep alot so while he is sleeping is the time to do your cleaning or whatever. That way when he wakes, you have time for him to talk, or do whatever with him.
I have a 6 week old and she is #5. . . so it is safe to say this is not new. I leave her often because at the age they sleep ALOT! But I do make sure I can hear her or see her. . . I keep a baby monitor right next two her so that if I am at the computer I can actually hear her breathing. If I am in the kitchen she is typically in the swing where I can see her.
Don’t ignore, check on often. . . but allow them to get all the sleep they need. I would however, try waking up around 6 or 8 and keeping up until 9 or 10. . . that way they can get used to sleeping longer periods at night.
Have fun with the new little one. . . they are a joy and gROW so fast!!
Usually, if baby was asleep, though I knew I ought to lie down too, I took advantage of the time to do stuff I couldn’t do with him/her around (showering leaps to mind). Playtime can easily become any time you decide to talk to and interact with your son. You can do alont of household stuff that actually can count as play time. During the day, I suppose I spent an hour or so actually physically playing with the baby when they were that little (they need more as they get older). Animated talking, giving him facial expressions to mimic and study, singing–this all counts as playtime.
I know the feeling, been there with 3 kids. Stuff has to get done. I have to shower. The dishes have to be washed, laundry has to be done. My solution to this was multi-fold: 1) make a list of things that you absolutely can only do with your child asleep or in someone else’s care and save those activities for that. You’d be surprised what you can do with a baby around. 2) I solved the problem of feeling guilty about needing to get stuff done by moving baby around from room to room with me, either moving the swing (not always easy), putting him/her in a little seat, or setting up a blanket on the floor near where I was working. I try to include them in what I’m doing whenever possible. Fold laundry on the floor while baby lies there doing his “floor exercises” (yes, a 5-week old can lie on the floor and should for a little every day). Talk or sing to him while you fold, explain what you are doing. You’ll get creative about how to include baby and having him nearby with clear up any guilt when you do have to do stuff without him near, but more importantly he will be having your eye contact, your voice, speech, etc. to learn from. He will be smarter, talk sooner, and your relationship over time will be much healthier.
Just remember, though that you do also just need “down time” for yourself. Make sure you get it; make hubby rock the baby or read to him so you can take a hot bath or run an errand without lugging the baby around, or something else. Have lunch with a friend; whatever.