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June 2016 Moms
StayingFocused
member
Not doing enough?
StayingFocused
member
I constantly struggle with the feeling I'm not interacting enough with Levi. I feel like every minute he is awake I need to be doing something constructive. Be it neck stretches, tummy time, shaking toys that rattle, play music or light up where he can see them and follow them, just whatever is colorful and has texture that will help him learn something. But then I think, this kid can't even hold his own head up good yet (just 10 weeks today). I will just put him in the bouncer while I'm washing dishes or something like that where carrying him in the Boba would just kill my back, but bc of the start of a flat spot I almost hate to put him on his back at all unless I'm actively doing stretches. As I'm typing this I know I sound crazy but...is it ok to just hold him and let him "just sit there" while we are on the couch watching a show sometimes. I try not to bc he already watches the TV when he's facing it (not often). I just feel like if I'm not constantly engaging him he's going to miss a milestone or something, but, I'm tired! I know, welcome to motherhood.
Thanks,
Crazy first timer
Thanks,
Crazy first timer
Re: Not doing enough?
When my husband comes home in the evening, he likes to just sit with Damien on his lap and talk/play with him while we watch tv. For a little bit Damien might be facing the tv (he does seem to enjoy it haha) vut since they are playing and shifting positions a lot, he isn't glued to it. Still, it's relaxing for everyone and we still interact with him.
You're doing a great job (someone who wasn't stimulating their baby enough wouldn't give it a second thought to leave them in a chair all day.) Give yourself a pat on the back and have a glass of wine!
Baby #2 Due 3/7/20
Edited to add that I tend to fret a little that he isn't doing the things some of the other babies on here are doing, but I have to remind myself that he was born late (July 1st) and he will get there!
perfectly happy just looking at the ceiling and wall.
i think they're can be such a thing as over stimulating and it can very tiring for our LOs so giving them a break can be necessary throughout the day. Plus us mommas need it too!
my truck is to occasionally have one headphone in with a podcast or something while I'm playing with baby. Engages my mind without over stimulating baby, and I can still talk to her etc.
I felt the same way when my LO was a newborn. I felt like I needed to be constantly entertaining him in some way. My DH would lay him in the rnp and I would worry that LO would feel neglected. I think that is partly due to being a new mama and hhormones. LO had a flat spot too that I noticed when he was 3 weeks old. I put him on his tummy for naps and tried to keep him off his back as much as possible, but thats hard with a newborn. He is 5 months old now, rolling everywhere and army crawling (I call it inchworming because he looks like a worm the way he pulls his legs up then reaches out to pull himself forward, lol) and in the past month his head has rounded out.
I also agree it is possible to overstimulate a baby, once I realized that I was able to relax some with trying to keep him entertained 24/7. Also, hold your LO now while you watch tv....while you still can! My LO doesnt like to sit still, he wants to play so the only time I can sit and relax/watch a show is when he is napping.