What should I be doing with my 2 week old throughout the day?

ChelsChels11

When she is awake I talk and play with her and we do tummy time, but should I get those Baby Einstein DVDs? I am just really lost.

Tennis Chick

Pretty much what you are doing. I would avoid the dvd's for now until she's a bit older. We played music (michael buble, jack johnson, not just kid stuff) and 'dance' in the living room while I talked to him. I would take him to the window to "look out". Right now your LO is probably still sleeping a lot so there isn't much you can do. around 4-6 weeks we really noticed how much more alert our LO got so we would get out the play mat.

ChelsChels11

Thank you and I will stay away from TV

sschwege

Kemare20:

Babies that young are easily over stimulated. You should basically be holding, feeding, changing and playing (as much as she will tolerate). Playing at this age really just consists of talking to her, maybe reading books and a little bit of tummy time. Mostly just holding and cuddling her. She is brand new and the first 3 mos after a baby is born is often referred to as the 4th trimester- a time when babies like to continue to be provided an environment similar to the womb. So being held, rocked, swaddled etc will make her feel comfortable.

Babies really shouldn't watch any TV until after 2 years of age.

Good advice!

 

ArmyWife114

Kemare20:

Also, watch for signs of over stimulation when you are playing with her. Early signs are: turning head away, yawning, hiccuping. Late signs are crying. Try and catch over stimulation early to avoid her getting so overwhelmed she starts crying and can't calm down. When you see signs of over stimulation just pick her up, hold her and keep things calm for awhile.

Did not know hiccuping was a tired sign.  That would explain why when DS is on his playmat and gets the hiccups, he falls asleep not too much later... 

lbatchler

Interesting me either! Wow my son must be over stimulated because he gets the hiccups all the time lol! 

RissKay

ChelsChels11:

Thank you and I will stay away from TV

We watch videos of songs that are in other languages, and DS loves the colors/shapes/music from them.  

maiatene

RissKay:

ChelsChels11:

Thank you and I will stay away from TV

We watch videos of songs that are in other languages, and DS loves the colors/shapes/music from them.  

We do this as well. TV/videos aren't bad unless you leave lo in front of it all day without any interaction from you. I know plenty of children who watched tv growing up including myself to the point I could recite whole shows verbatim and we all have above average intelligence.

lakreuz

Just wondering, what's this about tv and being 2 yrs old? Not that I'm anxious to plop LO in front of the Barney, but what about if I'M watching tv now and holding him while he sleeps on/off... he's catching some tv time for sure.. but this is bad??

maiatene

Don't quote me on this :

The belief is if lo watches tv it lowers their iq. I personally believe that happens when you plop your lo in front of the tv for hours on end and don't read to/talk to/interact with them. If you watch age appropriate educational shows, for example, in addition to reading and engaging them in a meaningful manor to teach them language I think that's ok. That is how I learned French when I was little. As with everything else in life moderation is key. Is your lo going to be dumb as rocks bc he caught a glimpse of the Maury show? Probably not unless that's all they watch every waking moment of the day.

To each his own...

ForeverEverAfter

The official recommendation (in Canada anyway) is no screen time under 2 years. This is based on the observations that children learn best from direct interaction, and are unable to process the "educational" material in children tv shows. TV also includes rapidly changing pictures and ideas that can easily overstimulate young babies and contribute to attention problems in toddlers. TV definitely has its place, and some channels are better than others. I don't think it's a problem to watch tv while holding LO. I prefer to skip commercials and avoid overly violent shows, but that's just me. I really don't think she looks at the screen.

Bride-hilda

You've already started tummy time? At what age did you start?

I've noticed that my son can hold his head up a little bit on his own, but I didn't think of starting tummy time until after our appointment in 2 weeks.... 

ChelsChels11

I started at 2 weeks because I had read the sooner you started the better.