Activities to help with developmental milestones

shannoncorrin

Hello! LO is 16 weeks old today! Oh my! Right now our wake times are 1.5 hours. I'm trying to come up with some different things to fill that time. How much should be IP, and how much should be guided play with me? His favorite thing is laying on his back in his baby gym. He loves to talk and smile at the animals dangling in front of him and reach and grab at them. He also likes his bouncer and swing. He has rattles galore, books, plush toys, and a bumbo that we practice in.

His head control is okay. I try to do tummy time with him for a few min each time. He doesn't hate it, but it isn't his favorite. He keeps his head lifted to 90 degrees for a min or two and then his head starts getting lower and lower. By that time he is drooling and giving me this look like "Mom, this isn't really comfy. Can I do something else?" and then I feel bad and flip him over. He wont reach for anything when he is on his tummy. I'm not sure how to encourage that.

Right now he still isn't rolling over. Honestly I don't feel like he is close. I want to do what I can to encourage him, but I don't want to be pushy either. I'm basically looking for suggestions that would help him reach the developmental milestones that he should be reach soon. Like I said, I don't want to push him, I just want to help him and I'm not sure how.

Thanks!

Mom38673

My LO loves the toys that have lights and play music.  Also, mirrors.  I would put the toy to one side of him, and he would try and roll towards it (from his back).  It didn't take long before he was a flopping fish.  I also lie beside him, and I talk to him.

platypusbaby

I just found this on Pinterest today! Hope it helps, I know I got some good ideas from it! https://www.playthology.com/3-to-5-month-baby-games.html

TREDgirl

I read on here earlier last week about doing tummy time in just a diaper or naked. I tried that with our little girl who usually fusses and then falls asleep. It was like magic. She was lifting her head up and on her forearms. 

I also put them (we have twins) in their high chairs while we're making dinner. I put toys on their trays and try to engage them and most of the time they grab at them. 

And yes otmama is great!

PrimRoseMama

These are all great, but no amount of stimulation (aside from basic tummy time) will make baby do anything before they are ready. You will drive yourself nuts. Just enjoy the ride.

bnan

Also, your baby will enjoy tummy time more once he is able to roll over from his back since that's when his neck, back, and arms will be strong enough to support themselves. Then he'll start reaching for toys and doing more on his belly. Try some time on his back without the hanging toys, putting toys beside him instead. Don't stress too much about it -- he'll get there with lots of free floor time.