Boredom...

ClandestineX · June 2013

So my son will be 3 months next week, he has been active since he was born, but little things used to distract/entertain him until it was nap time. Now if I do not spend my entire time giving him my undivided attention he will cry within a few minutes. I just bought an activity mat, that was great for an hour then he went to take a nap. Afterwards it was already old news and a few minutes into it he wanted up. He dislikes bouncers/swings/and the boppy. He likes being held but wants to climb right now and doesn't just...calm down lol. I am not complaining about his active level.. just seems to be bored easily now, he wants to do things...move around but cant and it frustrates him.

Has anyone had experience with this? What did you do? He hates being held in, so I hold him outwards to see everything, but that seems to make him jerky/flail and generally over excited and over stimulated quickly.

Wild_flower25 · June 2013

you left him on the activity mat for an hour?? that is way to long. They're good with one activity for 20 mins, or less.

Go for a walk, go to a park, go to Target. just being active and out and about is enough to keep a baby occupied. They don't need a ton of toys or gear to be entertained. 3 mos is kind of young for that stuff anyway, so if he wants to be held, just hold him. That phase won't last forever.

ClandestineX · June 2013

Oh and don't get me wrong, I love giving him my time, but I do still need to cook/shower/etc. Also, I take him for walks.. he is up the entire time quietly taking it in. Though I can only do that in the evening, it gets over 100+ degrees here.

ClandestineX · June 2013

Wild_flower25:
you left him on the activity mat for an hour?? that is way to long. They're good with one activity for 20 mins, or less.

Go for a walk, go to a park, go to Target. just being active and out and about is enough to keep a baby occupied. They don't need a ton of toys or gear to be entertained.

Well he had just ate and was changed and was cooing the entire time, it was more like 45 minutes than an hour. He does stay up from 2-3 hours between naps. Has been like this for a few weeks now. If I try to lay him for a nap he will kick and scream until he sits up. When he is the right amount of tired he doesn't fight naps.

monalua · June 2013

My son was exactly the same way. Maybe it's a boy thing lol. I don't know if if there's much you can do, my son was that way for a long time and at age 3 still kinda is lol. My daughter is the opposite, and is content with pretty much anything for hours. So weird how they're different she's only 3 months old. But some things to try, depending on his age sitting outside in the shade, stroller walks, a baby carrier where he can go on your back mei tai or wrap for young babies, one of those exersaucer/jumpy things when he's strong enough. Good luck!

Sorry for the poor formatting. On my phone!

Wild_flower25 · June 2013

Well, I can't leave my DD alone to entertain herself for more than 10-15 mins, I think that is normal. More than that is expecting too much.

ClandestineX · June 2013

Wild_flower25:
Well, I can't leave my DD alone to entertain herself for more than 10-15 mins, I think that is normal. More than that is expecting too much.

Well I am not really asking how to make him entertain himself for long periods, I am just asking if there are activities (together or alone) we can do where he doesn't fuss/cry within 2-3 minutes... besides the one on one...he can last for 10 minutes of that then loses interest. Maybe someone out there has done an activity I haven't tried..

ClandestineX · June 2013

monalua:
My son was exactly the same way. Maybe it's a boy thing lol. I don't know if if there's much you can do, my son was that way for a long time and at age 3 still kinda is lol. My daughter is the opposite, and is content with pretty much anything for hours. So weird how they're different she's only 3 months old. But some things to try, depending on his age sitting outside in the shade, stroller walks, a baby carrier where he can go on your back mei tai or wrap for young babies, one of those exersaucer/jumpy things when he's strong enough. Good luck! Sorry for the poor formatting. On my phone!

I should have named my son Ricky Bobby... all he wants to do is go fast.. haha.

I do have a carrier and stroller I use, he is usually in them blowing spit bubbles the duration of the time we are out... I bought it because I thought he might go to sleep at least some of the time, but nope.

kbates85 · June 2013

I understand wat you mean. It gets hard when they start being awake longer. Especially if this is your first baby and your house is fairly quite. I havent found any activity or toy that keeps DS occupied for longer then 10 to 15 minutes max. I highly recommend finding the nearest public library and checking to see if they have Babytime. DS absolutely loves it and is totally content for the entire hour we are there. I just wish they did it more then once a week!

lightgetsin · June 2013

Geez, jump all over OP! She said he was on there for an hour and then later when she put him on it he was over it. She didn't say she put him on the mat and then went to get more beer or anything!

=Lee=B · June 2013

Have you tried taking him swimming? My 3.5 month old loves the pool. We go to the public, salt water pool. The one we go to is a tad warmer than most at 84 and 86 degrees. She lasts 1 to 1.5 hours with us floating her around, bouncing her up and down in the water. We dunk her once or twice while there and she comes up smiling. My husband and I are water lovers and plan to put in an in-ground pool in a few years so we are starting her early in hopes she becomes a water lover too.

Anyways, it is a good outing between the time getting ready for pool and drying off after it takes up the afternoon. I know there is some debate over when to start taking baby to the public pool, but my doc said it was fine after the 2month shots and I know a handful of older babies that started this early, all are healthy as can be and love the water.

Does he have enough neck control of the jolly jumper yet? My 3.5 month old had good control from birth and very good control now so we put her in there 20-30 minutes once or twice a day. She bounces a bit and spins around checking out the rooms. She loves it. Sounds like something your little guy might enjoy once he has neck control!

Aside from that I just rotate activities each day. After one nap he goes under play mat, after next nap the jolly jumper, next the rocking/bouncy chair to stare at her hanging toys. Seems to keep her happy, though she naps a ton still so isn't awake all that long.

You can try putting the play mat in different rooms, the different environment and noises etc might be enough to make it novel again each time.

sschwege · June 2013

DD was like this. Can you hold him in a carrier? This way he is right in the center of the action, but you can get things done.

Also you could see if you library does a story-time for babies. I took DD when she was 2 months old and just started taking DS. It's so fun for them, plus it gives you ideas of things you can do with them at home. Songs, nursery rhymes, etc.

ClandestineX · June 2013

Thanks everyone! before I didn't have access to a swimming pool, but I was going to do that these coming weeks anyways! I will try the different room thing too. Also he has great head control and thought about a walker/jump thing, but I might wait to closer to 3.5 months. Again thanks for the suggestions!

sschwege · June 2013

Wild_flower25:
you left him on the activity mat for an hour?? that is way to long. They're good with one activity for 20 mins, or less.

Go for a walk, go to a park, go to Target. just being active and out and about is enough to keep a baby occupied. They don't need a ton of toys or gear to be entertained. 3 mos is kind of young for that stuff anyway, so if he wants to be held, just hold him. That phase won't last forever.

If the baby was happy then it obviously wasn't too long. Floor/tummy time is so important at this age. Babies aren't shy about letting you know what they need!

jdveatch · June 2013

I have recently noticed that my LO isn't so interested in the playmat. I've been putting him on a blanket or in a bouncer and giving him a toy to play with. (Winkle, Oball, Sophie the Giraffe...) He seems to like that pretty well. Sometimes after I change him in the pack n play, he will stay in there for a bit. I have a Sassy mirror in there and a few little rattles I give him. The other thing that has been working is the Bumbo. I tried the Jumparoo but he's kinda drowning in it because he's not big enough yet. He's definitely in a transition where he wants to be up & looking around more! GL!

momofmanyinthemitten · June 2013

DD's favorite activity was going to the grocery store. DS is happy to be outside in a stroller or exersaucer. Singing songs that have movements is big in our house, as are books and playing with instruments. DD loved the swimming pool once she reached 6 mos. The sensory input from it really helped calm her down. It's a lot easier to keep baby entertained once you have another child. DD dotes on DS and he loves watching her play.

kellyrn9956 · June 2013

sschwege:
Wild_flower25:
you left him on the activity mat for an hour?? that is way to long. They're good with one activity for 20 mins, or less.

Go for a walk, go to a park, go to Target. just being active and out and about is enough to keep a baby occupied. They don't need a ton of toys or gear to be entertained. 3 mos is kind of young for that stuff anyway, so if he wants to be held, just hold him. That phase won't last forever.
If the baby was happy then it obviously wasn't too long. Floor/tummy time is so important at this age. Babies aren't shy about letting you know what they need!

This. If my baby's happy, I'm going to let him be. Unless he is in the Bumbo - I do limit that to about 10-15 minutes. But an hour on the playmat with a happy baby sounds great!

We do a ton of time with him on the Boppy and me just talking to him and making faces at him. He also loves to sit in his swing now with the toy bar on - he'll occupy himself there for 30-45 minutes. One thing I also do is put him in his high chair (it has a newborn lounger) and roll him from room to room with me while I clean up. I talk to him while I do this and give him a toy to place with - either his Sophie or a rattle ball. He also loves the running water while I do dishes and what not.

=Lee=B · June 2013

kellyrn9956:
sschwege:
Wild_flower25:
you left him on the activity mat for an hour?? that is way to long. They're good with one activity for 20 mins, or less.

Go for a walk, go to a park, go to Target. just being active and out and about is enough to keep a baby occupied. They don't need a ton of toys or gear to be entertained. 3 mos is kind of young for that stuff anyway, so if he wants to be held, just hold him. That phase won't last forever.
If the baby was happy then it obviously wasn't too long. Floor/tummy time is so important at this age. Babies aren't shy about letting you know what they need!
This. If my baby's happy, I'm going to let him be. Unless he is in the Bumbo - I do limit that to about 10-15 minutes. But an hour on the playmat with a happy baby sounds great!
We do a ton of time with him on the Boppy and me just talking to him and making faces at him. He also loves to sit in his swing now with the toy bar on - he'll occupy himself there for 30-45 minutes. One thing I also do is put him in his high chair (it has a newborn lounger) and roll him from room to room with me while I clean up. I talk to him while I do this and give him a toy to place with - either his Sophie or a rattle ball. He also loves the running water while I do dishes and what not.

My daughter needs alone time. She loves to be held and played with and being in her carrier but at times she needs to be left alone. I leave her on her playmat for an hour (or more). She plays, drifts off to sleep wakes 30min later and starts playing happily again. She lies there laughing and cooing and smiling. If she fusses I pick her up. SOME babies may only be good with an activity for 20min...but as with everything in life, every baby (person) is different there are no hard rules.

ClandestineX · June 2013

Thanks everyone, I might invest in a high chair with a newborn recliner.. that sounds like it would be fun. I do plan on going to malls while I am here visiting family in the big cities, where we live..it is in the backroads/country so it wasn't easily store accessible.

My son loves to be put down to flail all his arms and legs. It is cute when his foot taps something he will keep tapping it and curling his foot to try and bring it closer... same with his hands and arms. I watched him bring his sophie from his side to the top of his head.. and her mouth was next to his ear and he was cooing softly.. like whispering to her lol..

Smartie26 · June 2013

=Lee=B:
Have you tried taking him swimming?nbsp; My 3.5 month old loves the pool.nbsp; We go to the public, salt water pool.nbsp; The one we go to is a tad warmer than most at 84 and 86 degrees.nbsp; She lasts 1 to 1.5 hours with us floating her around, bouu
ncing her up and down in the water.nbsp; We dunk her once or twice while there and she comes up smiling.nbsp; My husband and I are water lovers and plan to put in an inground pool in a few years so we are starting her early in hopes she becomes a water lover too.nbsp;Anyways, it is a good outing between the time getting ready for pool and drying off after it takes up the afternoon.nbsp; I know there is some debate over when to start taking baby to the public pool, but my doc said it was fine after the 2month shots and I know a handful of older babies that started this early, all are healthy as can be and love the water.Does he have enough neck control of the jolly jumper yet?nbsp; My 3.5 month old had good control from birth and very good control now so we put her in there 2030 minutes once or twice a day.nbsp; She bounces a bit and spins around checking out the rooms.nbsp; She loves it.nbsp; Sounds like something your little guy might enjoy once he has neck control!Aside from that I just rotate activities each day.nbsp; After one nap he goes under play mat, after next nap the jolly jumper, next the rocking/bouncy chair to stare at her hanging toys.nbsp; Seems to keep her happy, though she naps a ton still so isn't awake all that long.You can try putting the play mat in different rooms, the different environment and noises etc might be enough to make it novel again each time.

Great recommendedations! This sounds like the activities and activity rotation that DD and I do. We also read a bunch of her favorite books during one of her activity times. She loveees books that have pop ups inside and have large colorful pictures on white pages... her favorite books are Brown Bear Brown Bear and Toes, Ears, Nose.

When I have laundry to do I prop up DD on the bed and bring my laundry to fold into the room. I show her each item and tell her what it is, and what color it is and if its Mommy, Daddy, or her clothes. She actually gets pretty smiley and excited looking at all the interesting laundry, and I get some folding or sorting taken care of at the same time!

dawnj08 · July 2013

Ha! Love the laundry idea

way to kill two birds with one stone. You really are a Smartie!!

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