mama's with newborns...

[mamap1012]

Just a question for some of you out there.... my baby us 3 weeks old now.. just wondering what types of activities do you do to entertain your little one? Mine sleeps SO much still and I'm wondering what types of things I can do to engage her when she's awake to try to keep her awake a little more during the day.

[sweetvegetable]

Yes, all this tendency towards educational activities for infants and older babies can totally be overstimulating. Your baby can't even see much clearly, so waving a toy in baby's face can be overwhelming. Talk and sing to and cuddle your baby, but otherwise, baby doesn't need much. And don't stress about how little you have to say to your baby right now - I hardly talked when it was just me and my daughter at home in the first six months or so, and she still turned out to be an early talker.

[bump_2_be]

You may find if you attempt 'activities' you will end up with an overstimulated and very cranky baby. I unknowingly was overstimulating my lo for about a week and then i realized.. at that stage all they do is eat sleep and poo. Very little time and ake is 'normal' bub will gice you cues when she is ready to 'play'.

[jjolfert]

Yeah singing is great. Mostly just talking to them is really stimulating for them. If you lay them on their back and bring your face close to theirs and just talk about your day with them, they will enjoy hearing your voice and seeing.your face making expressions.

[specialmom]

I did try to engage with my newborns.  :>)  Every day that passes, they wake up more and more.  I would walk to say a picture and we'd stand in front of it, kind of close and I'd talk about it and my babies would look at it.  I had stations set up---  I had two of those baby play gyms---  So, I'd put baby under it for a bit and turn on the lights or jiggle the toys.  As time went on, they'd get very interested in it and would bat at the toys.  And since I had two different ones, I'd do it 'station' style rotating.  I kept one upstairs and one downstairs.  I talked to the all the time.  I read books and show pictures.  They can't see super well early on but again, that improves every day.  

No tv.  Infants shouldn't be exposed to tv.  But I'd put on some nursery rhyme music and we'd slow dance.  

special times.  Enjoy!

[MRS_MJane]

Newborns sleep a lot it's  apart of their development. So it's more bonding talking and smiling
To ur baby. The babe just hearing your voice while she feeds soothes her

[jkbull]

3 week old babies don't really need engaging activities. They will sleep 16-17 hours a day. When they are 6-8 weeks or so they will sleep less during the day and more at night, typically. At 3 weeks though they should sleep when they want to.