My 3 month old is awake a lot now during the day. After feeding him, tummy time, singing a few songs, I don't really know what I should be doing with him. I feel bad just putting him in his swing!
Any ideas?
Hold him.
Read to him.
Sing to him.
Talk walks with him.
Sit down on the floor next to him for tummy time.
A play mat is great too.
So is a bouncy seat!
At this age you can just do what you need/want to do, and he's along for the ride. I carried my kids any time they didn't want to be lying down or sleeping on their own.Then I started using the swing when I had to do things like cooking or if I needed a shower/bath (or I just bathed with them). So I set a basic daily schedule for myself, worked around their feeding/changing/napping needs and the rest fell into place. I also fed on demand and followed their lead with nap schedules, but kept them alert between naps. I talked to them a lot. Lots of walks when the weather allowed for it. We watched tv, too! I got together with a group of moms about once a month, did homemaker things - sewing, cooking, budget planning, shopping, decorating for holidays...yadayadayada... and like I said, the baby just came along for the ride. Want to make a scrapbook? Organize the bookcases? Sew some curtains or clothes for him? Do it now. he'll be grabbing at everything you do in a month or two! :) I am smiling right now remembering those years. Hugs to you and your boy <3
Read to him! That is one of the best things you can do with him.
No matter what you are doing, talk to him. Even if it is just a description of what you are doing. I used to tease my husband about how he talked to our kids. Now, my kids have a HUGE vocabulary. I chalk it up to all the "big" words my husband used with them when they were babies and toddlers. (And all the books we read.)
Put on music and dance around the room with him.
My kids loved the playmat we had that had an arch over their heads. It had toys that hung down and a musical toy. They spent a lot of time laying on the floor looking at that and later reaching for the toys. It also had a motion activated toy that lit up and played music. It didn't take long for them to figure out that if they kicked the arch the toy would start playing.
Definitely read to him. I think the swing is fine, especially if you are doing something like laundry or cooking, just make sure you keep talking to him while you're working. Tell him what you're doing, what you're using, talk about how you feel, etc. That's how babies learn to talk. I would also make sure to get outside most days and go for a walk. I know it's cold where you are, but if you can get around, you should. It's good for him to hear the nature sounds, feel the air, etc. In another 3 months there will be a lot more play you can do.
Put him in a front pack or moby wrap and go for a walk outside. Yes, I'm in PA and I had a winter baby too. I would wear my DH's coat, which would fit around both of us, with the zipper down enough that his little face could peek out, with a hat on, just below my chin.
Or, in the house, if I had chores, I just put him on in the moby and he kept me company while I folded clothes or whatever.
Also, he's not too young to start reading to. Sandra Boynton board books are great.
wear him. go on about your day with him wrapped closely to you, hum and chat with him. read to him. (seriously.) put him on a blanket on the floor where he can see you and let him wiggle. pop him in a stroller and go for walks. put him on his tummy on your bed and just bliss on him, nose to nose. work out using him as weights. dance gently while carrying him. dance wildly while he watches you from the floor or swing. discuss deep and serious philosophical matters with him (pre-verbal infants are amazing philosophers.) dress him in silly costumes and take photos of him with various wacky props for later blackmail. start a love journal to him, writing it while he's sitting there watching you do it and you read it aloud to him as you write.
khairete
S.
Read, talk and sing...
There's a book called Baby Play with lots of good ideas based on the age (0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 6-9 mo, 9-12 mo). (http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Play-Gymboree-Wendy-Masi/dp/08...)
You can also read to him.
