Awake infants; what do you do?

KatieGummow

I am not sure what I should be doing with these guys when they are awake. I pick them up and talk to them and walk them around and talk about things. I also do some tummy time. Is there anything else I should be doing? I tried toys but they just look away.

They would also be totally fine sitting in their RnP and looking around, but I feel lazy leaving them in there.

whitehousem

You could read to them, play music, sing nursery rhymes, and explain what you're doing around the house. Sometimes when I go out alone I find myself talking to myself bc I've always narrated for DD. I used to wear her and clean the house. Don't overthink it... Enjoy your down time too.

KatieGummow

Great, thank you for the tips! I just want to make sure I am not over or under stimulating these kiddos

raraavis28

Based on your siggy, it looks like they are still brand newbies.....so what you are doing is just fine! You'll see them get more and more interested in the world around them as they grow and develop....I think mine were 3ish months when they started reaching for the toys in their little play-gym thingie? And then they'll get to an age where they're into EVERYTHING and you'll long for those "mellow" newborn days.

But yeah, like PP said, what you're doing is great and don't overthink it.....they'll let you know if they're bored or overstimulated.

KatieGummow

@marchesa28‌ thank you so much. It's a little overwhelming with two of me so I am happy to not feel like I need to be doing more.

KatieGummow

*two of them

raraavis28

KatieGummow said:

*two of them

Haha I knew what you meant....wouldn't it be nice if there could be two of you though???

KatieGummow

So much agree!

LittleLady77

I could have written this post

DoublePortion

I found this on Pinterest last week and thought it was interesting. https://mamaot.com/2013/09/26/how-to-play-with-your-newborn-baby-0-to-3-months/

Wishing35

Really they are so little there is not much to do with them. I used to just talk about what I was doing and sing to them a lot. Or if it was nice out I'd take them out for a walk around the neighborhood.

ballygirl

If they are newborns, there's not that much to do with them.  I used to feel the same way with my girls.  I would sing a lot to them or just talk about what I was doing.  Take them outside if its nice out, but honestly, there's not much to do with them at that age other than feed, change diapers, sleep, repeat.  They probably aren't really interested much in toys or books and will benefit most from hearing your voice, your touch, and different smells.  You are lucky they are content to be in their rnps by themselves.  At that age my girls screamed their heads off if I put them down.  They never had a mellow newborn phase. I was always carrying babies around, fending off double meltdowns.  It was really stressful.

 

Once they get a little older, they will be more responsive and interactive and then playtime becomes much more fun for everyone and you can see them learning new skills.  I think 4 months was a real turning point for us - they started getting really interested in their environment, the activity mat with hanging objects was a huge hit around then, they recognized faces and from then on, it has been very exciting to see them progressing.  At just over 6 months now they are really starting to notice and interact with each other.  It is totally adorable.  We sat them on the couch on boppies yesterday and they smiled and laughed at each other and played 'take the toy out of each other's hands' for about 30 minutes. omg - so cute. 

JTA2426

I used to wonder that too. I also felt like I was just moving them from "station" to station. Like "A hasn't been in the swing in awhile... I'll move J to the bouncer/hold him/do tummy time and put A in the swing..." And so on. I also wore them, walked outside, played pandora, and read to them. When I wasn't nursing, pumping, or washing things. Just be happy to HAVE down time! And enjoy those sweet snuggles.

KatieGummow

Thanks mommies! I love reading about your experiences!