I feel like I'm doing it all wrong!

kassieurban · January 2015

I read all these posts about what you should and should not be doing with your baby. For instance, you should be doing "tummy time" as much as possible. I'm lucky if I can sit down for two minutes and grab a bite to eat. Are there any "realistic" articles/outlines/suggestions of things that I should be doing with my baby right now? Just feeling overwhelmed and need a little advice

Unknown · January 2015

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staryb · January 2015

We only do tummy time once or twice a day and sometimes forget all together. I have a friend who works in a daycare who was surprised we even started as early as we did and said that most of her baby's parents didn't even have them starting until they were a few months old so don't beat yourself up about it.

What are you doing with LO that's eating up your whole day? You shouldn't feel pressured to do everything that's recommended all the time, just do what you can.

kassieurban · January 2015

Thank you! Sometimes it's nice to hear a little encouragement. I'm the first of four sisters and most of my friends to have a baby... So there's no "close source" for information

CynthiaVRey · January 2015

I always forget also and I forget to read to her . Our babies are eating and thriving right ? ☺️

[Deleted User] · January 2015

I find my baby tolerates tummy time longest if he's facing the tv. He'll just lie there watching it for at least 5 minutes, giving me time to grab food/do whatever real quick. I'm not sure how beneficial tummy time is if they're just lying there motionless, but whatevs.

>-

MrMrsandBaby · January 2015

kassieurban said:

Thank you! Sometimes it's nice to hear a little encouragement. I'm the first of four sisters and most of my friends to have a baby... So there's no "close source" for information

Sorry but why is close source in quotes? I over use quotes and even that was a bit much for me!

Like others have said, just keep doing what you are doing as long as baby is happy and healthy. Tummy time, reading, playing, all comes with time. DH never does tummy time with Brooke but she still is lifting her head. I haven't read her a single book yet, but she still knows my voice. Playing is usually her on the floor while I play with my almost 3 year old but she still loves it.

Just breathe, relax and don't overthink.

angeltennis3 · January 2015

I wouldn't worry about what you are doing too much. Your baby will communicate if they are bored by fussing or crying.

I typically try to have a rotation of "stations" around the living room, but it's nothing fancy at all. I just cycle through them as long as DD is happy (aka not fussing) between eating/sleeping.

I have her bouncer, which has toys hanging from the bar overhead she mostly likes to look at and recently occasionally swats at.

I have her activity mat she will lay on and mostly wiggle around and swipe at her toys

I have a blanket for tummy time

I have her swing which has a mirror and mobile above it she likes.

Occasionally I also put her in her high chair in a slightly reclined position with an oball rattle she can grab.

Once she starts fussing I just move her to a new area to play, or encourage a nap if it has been close to two hours of being awake, or feed her if she shows hunger cues.

pnwlover12 · January 2015

MrMrsandBaby said:

kassieurban said:

Thank you! Sometimes it's nice to hear a little encouragement. I'm the first of four sisters and most of my friends to have a baby... So there's no "close source" for information

Sorry but why is close source in quotes? I over use quotes and even that was a bit much for me!

Oh jeez, who cares.

MrMrsandBaby · January 2015

pnwlover12 said:

kassieurban said:

Thank you! Sometimes it's nice to hear a little encouragement. I'm the first of four sisters and most of my friends to have a baby... So there's no "close source" for information

Sorry but why is close source in quotes? I over use quotes and even that was a bit much for me!
Oh jeez, who cares.

I do.

Saragoeswest · January 2015

And what is meant by "realistic?" Is that a code word?

HappyCianci · January 2015

Good responses so far. I agree that there's not a whole lot in terms of "extras" that they need at this age. If they're fed, slept, clean, and snuggled, they're probably good.

One thing I do try to work into the day is enough face-to-face time. It's hard sometimes because I spend so much time talking to my big kid, it seems like baby's just along for the ride! But I do try to make plenty of googly faces and sounds and eye contact with her.

jmw222 · January 2015

Swing and activity mat are the go-to items. Even if you are holding baby upright, it strengthens their neck muscles, same goal as tummy time. My LO enjoys that much more than laying on his tummy. We don't read stories to him just yet, but he's always in the room when we are reading with the big kids. You can just talk to your baby as an activity too. Stupid stuff like what you need at the store, your mental to-do list, what you are making for dinner that night. They don't care what you're saying!

MrsSarahRenee · January 2015

Read if you think of it! I use books with sounds and textures for LO to interact with. She actually likes it if she is not in a fussy mood.

wlhudson727 · January 2015

Agreed! I read somewhere early on that if you wonder if you're doing it right then you probably are.

2goingon3 · January 2015

You can do tummy time by just putting baby facedown on your lap, or laying flat with baby on your chest. It doesn't have to be some sort of huge event.

Also @crawford411‌, lol at "stare at each other"!!! We all do it, it's just funny to see it written out as an activity

victoria+james · January 2015

wlhudson727 said:
Agreed! I read somewhere early on that if you wonder if you're doing it right then you probably are.

I never wonder if I'm doing it right. I know I am!

Did I mention that M screamed for ages the other night because I didn't burp him and he got bad gas bubbles? Or that when I picked him up from the activity mat I got his arm tangled in the hanging toys? Or that I held his tiny head still while he screamed and I extracted the world's largest booger?

Yeah, totally never question my parenting

OP, you're doing a great job! Babies don't come with manuals, but luckily we have awesome forums such as this one which is pretty much the same thing!

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