Do you play with your baby his every waking hour?

Question

I'm interested to know how much time other people spend playing with their young babies, and what games you play.

My little boy is 3 months old and I talk to him lots and sing nursery rhymes and other songs for him and play little games like 'this little piggy' and read him books and show him the pictures.
But sometimes I do just leave him to kick around on the floor and play with his toys. He seems happy doing this.

Should I be playing with him all the time he is awake? Or should I let him have some time to himself?

What do you do with your little one?

Answer 1

awwwww...sweet

Answer 2

Talking and playing with your child is always a good thing, but don't over do it. Young babies need to learn to sooth themselves. This is the reason why some young children cry as soon as the parent walks out of the room. They need to learn to be okay if left in a room for a short time by themselves, unless you want to carry your child into every room you enter all day, everyday. Enjoy your new baby, and remember, they are okay if left to entertain themselves for a short time. I usually placed a gym above them with bright colors, or a radio playing soft music or just a TV show with people talking. I would also place a clock that had a loud ticking sound with them if I needed to get laundry from the other room or leave the room for a minute or two. All babies need time to themselves, this is usually when they find they have fingers and toes. Oh and a voice.....Good luck!!

Answer 3

Let the child have some time to learn to amuse himself, otherwise how can you expect him to in the years to come? By the time he is 5 you'll be pleased that he is content to amuse himself - don't make a rod for your own back!

I really don't think I could play with my daughter (13 months) every waking moment - I think I would be a horrible mother if I didn't get a break. She will happily amuse herself for 10-15 mins here and there, giving me time to wash up, make a call, have a cuppa. She likes to check where I am, but basically she entertains herself.

It sounds like you and he are getting on just fine - enjoy each other, and let him learn to be a little independent.

Answer 4

I don't think you can play with babies "too much". But you should give him some alone time just to lay and look around. If you constantly play with him and give him all the attention than when he gets a little older he will want your attention all the time and you will not be able to do your own things like cook dinner, straiten up the house or even go to the bathroom.

Enjoy him as much as possible But you need your time too..

Answer 5

Kids need some time alone to explore themselves and their environments. Go with your gut! If he seems happy, let him be! Even if he wasn't, it's still a good idea. He is the only one who can teach him to crawl, to play with toys, to touch his feet, to roll over, etc...and it's important that you give him the "alone time" to do just that.

What we do with our son is a big mix. We play and read alot, I do yoga with him, and we also put him in the exercauser or on the bed alot. Sometimes I just strap him in the backpack while I do housework if he wants to be with me but I don't have the time to entertain him. A lot of the time, he's very happy to sit in his bumbo and watch me do stuff. We introduced the johnny jumpup this week and now he wants to do nothing else but bounce alone for hours!

Generally, in 10 hours of awake time during the day, we have 2-3 of face to face play, 2-3 of him being carried while I do other stuff, 2-3 of him playing independently while I'm right there next to him, and then the rest of the time is feeding, etc.

One thing I love is that now that he's old enough to entertain himself for short periods of time, he will do so before and after sleeping. It is so awesome to wake up in the morning to the sounds of him cooing to himself in the mirror in his crib instead of him crying because he's alone!

Answer 6

I play with my 3 month old boy, sing to him, peek a boo, read books, etc. We usually do 2 times a day about 20 mins at a time. I also try to get him to have tummy time 3 times a day - but that doesn't always work. You do need to let him have time on his own. Otherwise he will get used to having you there constantly amusing him and will not learn to keep himself occupied.
Good Luck.

Answer 7

I felt the same way with my first daughter. I was a stay at home, but honestly after a while it seemed like she didnt need to be entertained by me all of the time. Even at the young age of 3 months, they are starting to develop crativity and independence. Its good to let your son have some "alone time" so that he can learn to entertain himself. Take advantage of this time to fold laundry or something that you can still keep an eye on him.
your doing great!!

Answer 8

My baby boy is 3 months old also and I do a number of different things with him. I sit him under his play gym and then sometimes I sit him on my knee and sing nursery rhymes. He particularly likes humpty dumpty. Also, I leave him to occupy himself in his bouncer which he loves. This gives me time to myself for a few mins and for him to be independent and not so dependent on me.
He loves to watch tv too so I put on the baby channels and leave him to watch this if I leave the room.

He tells me when he feels over stimulated by rubbing his eyes and crying a little so I put him in his bouncing cradle and he falls asleep.

Answer 9

I have a four month little girl, I make sure that I have time to play with her throughout the day, but I also let her lay on her play mat and she loves to kick her legs and grab her toys. I think it is important that you continue to let him play happily on his own, it is good for their development, as they are learning things all the time, it is also good for them to know that sometimes you have to put them down so you can concentrate on other things, a demanding baby who expects you to pick them up all the time and cannot spend time on their own, will eventually become very exhausting!

Answer 10

You sound like your doing a pretty good job to me. But i done what your asking about i played with my daughter all the time and she is nearly ten months old now and has trouble playin alone for more than ten minutes without me being there to entertain her which makes it hard for me to get anything done or anytime to myself. By all means play with your son thats what makes him develope but also let him entertain himself too and just have yourself a sit down and enjoy watching him. It will makes things easier in the long run. x

Answer 11

Give your baby time to play alone. This is very important for his developent. He needs to know that it is o.k. not to be held every second of the day. They need time to lay on the floor and exercise their little muscles and flail their arms and legs. It doesn't mean you don't love your baby, it shows that you are more interested in his total development, not just your needs. Also, letting him fall asleep on his own in his crib is a good way to help him learn independence. I have read that children whose parents sleep with them or rock them or hold them till they fall asleep every night later have seperation and independence issues. Good luck with your son.