Need ideas on keeping a baby entertained

**Bournecrazy** · 05-01-2011, 04:52 PM

My DS is 4 weeks old and he is starting to stay awake more during the day and I’m having trouble of thinking of ways to keep him entertained.

I have a few rattles and toys but he hasn't mastered gripping anything yet so he can't really play with them properly. He has a few musical items that keep him content but there are only so many times in the day I can listen to that tune lol.

I want to be able to do things with him but I’m not sure what to do.
Does anyone have any ideas to keep him entertained?

DH works shifts anytime between 4am-midnight 5 days so I am home on my own a lot.

At the moment I don’t have any spare cash to go out for another 2 weeks so until then I’m stuck at home, the weather has been nice so I can go for walks around the area but other than that I’m at a loss on what else to do.

**Durgan** · 05-01-2011, 05:44 PM

Put the little baby in one of those small situp seats on the floor, and let the baby always see you moving about. Every few minutes talk to the kid. Hand the baby a small ball made from aluminum foil. The foil is light and the baby is attracted to the light it reflects and will eventually try to grab it in a rough fashion.

At the age of about three months there will be much reaction to your efforts, but less than three months little response. Anyway it is all fun.

The baby will simply respond to your constant presence.

**FrabjousDay** · 05-01-2011, 05:58 PM

I enjoyed wearing my baby. I was able to get things around the house done and take long walks, while having baby close for lots of good conversations, snuggles and eye contact. My little person also enjoyed his play mat with mirror.

**lwlynch** · 05-01-2011, 06:03 PM

the sitting up chair, and put him where you are, they just like watching. i also took a piece of paper and colored it black and white (designs or just squares) and taped it to the wall and let him look at it.. they like the contrast.. at this age they just kinda enjoy the stuff around, singing is another fun things

**MaryCarney** · 05-01-2011, 06:11 PM

I always took my tiny ones around the house on a guided tour - we'd just look at things and I tell them about them - just language input really. All four of my kids LOVED to look in a mirror.

**Rhiamon** · 05-01-2011, 06:53 PM

I had a sling and carried DD every where with me. She had to be in constant motion so it worked great for us. We danced, I sang, got house work done, and went for walks.

**zakity** · 05-01-2011, 08:21 PM

I would put my guys near and talk to them constantly. I would talk about what I was doing and about the colors they were seeing, how a tree or flower grew or whatever. If I was cutting up things for dinner, I would talk about the carrots or whatever I was cutting up. I just kept up a constant commentary. And, it actually helped with the "whys" later on. They didn't ask as many things because I was always explaining things.

**wanderlusting** · 05-02-2011, 07:57 AM

I had the same trouble when mine were that age. I got Bumbo seats and that helped a lot- they liked being able to sit up and look around on their own. Our house is tile floor so I'd scoot them along with me while I was doing things around the house and they enjoyed looking around.

I also tried to do a lot of tummy time. You can roll up a towel or two so they have support under their chest. I'd then roll toys across and they'd watch. I'd also practice rolling over with them.

While sitting in their bumbo chairs, I'd sing nursery rhymes and make up silly songs. They LOVED nursery rhymes with hand motions- like eensy weensy spider.

**MissSeetonFan** · 05-02-2011, 11:49 AM

Seats are a good idea. Just remember, don't use a Bumbo until they can support their own head. Also, how is the baby showing he is bored? Is he fussing? Or is it just a blank stare? One of the books I have, which I love, reminds me that a blank stare is still a response. It doesn't mean they are bored.

Contrasts are good. Putting them on the floor on a blanket with noisy toys right by hands and feet can be good. That way, as they move around, they touch things and make some noise. You may have to move things back in reach after a bit but it gives them something to do. Also, mobiles above their heads where they can just stare at them are also good

**Bournecrazy** · 05-03-2011, 02:04 PM

I put him infront of a mirror yesterday and he loved it. He happily sits in his bouncer and looks around i keep moving it around the room so he doesnt get bored of the same view.

He responds to his rattle toys and i make sure he has some tummy time, lay him on the floor on a blanket on his front and he triesd so hard to get up he can get his legs in teh right position but doesnt have the strength in his arms to lift himself up.

He is good at lifting his head and keeping it up hes been able to do that since a few days old, he can't support it porperly yet tho