So I pretty much have easy days with Kennedy..Just lots of diaper changes, sleeping, playing and snuggling....But is there something else I should be doing with her or is she still just too little? I feel lazy like all we do all day is eat and sleep haha, I don't know if there are certain things I'm supposed to be doing with her to help her develop certain skills or whatever kwim? Sorry, I know I sound all clueless, I probably should have asked about this before she was born...just never thought about it. :shock:
lol britt. Your making this sound so easy. All I do is laze around all day sleeping and eating. And if baby just wants to laze around sleeping and eating with me thats fine by me. :P Your going to get me thinking its a walk in the park and them im going to be horribly shocked when I find out it isnt.
When they are little its kinda hard, but I used to show Lyric books and toys to stimulate her mind. She loved black & white things and to stare at the walls. Reading to her, listening to music, rocking her, massage her...
You're doing great :)
I agree w/ the PP. Books, music, massage...those are all stimulating.
Walks are also nice. Everyone needs some fresh air. :)
Do you have a sling or pouch? With one of those, you could carry her around all day while you do your thing. I think that's really good for babies, really stimulating. When she gets a little older, she'll love seeing everything going on. :)
When my kids were babies, I committed to taking them for a walk every day from the day we came home from the hospital.
Thanks girls. Yeah I tried the little front carrier thing yesterday but she doesn't like it so much :?
Those can be a bit uncomfortable for babies if they can't hold their head up yet. Try a sling, she can lay down and nurse in it while you walk.
Yeah, I liked the look of those things, they look comfy, but I want a good one that has breathable material kwim? At target they just have some funky one that seems like it would bake the baby like a potato :shock: There's those native ones or whatever but they are pretty expensive for me right now. I didn't know I could take her outside for walks and stuff every day, I thought I had to keep her inside like almost all the time. I could use the stroller I've been playing with for 9 months!! :lol: Oh oh, I printed out a piece of paper with a black target looking thing on it and held it in front of her face and it REALLY looked like she was focusing on it ...for a long time. I got all excited haha.
Nah, you'll go crazy if you never leave the house.
I know it's hot right now, but Gavin was born in August and he did just fine. Just make sure she is dressed comfortably (a onesie) and that your stroller has a canopy to keep the sun off of her.
Yeah I am going fucking crazy. I feel selfish for even bringing this up, but BD went with his best friend and his gf tonight for his friends 18th birthday to get a tatoo, and then go to some casino that allows 18 year olds to gamble or whatever, and I feel like crying every time I think about it. I'm having a pity party for myself haha... It's annoying that he can leave when he wants (which I feel bad for saying because he never gets out either...) But then I feel all guilty and selfish for being jealous because it's not like I'd rather be at a stupid casino than be with my baby when she needs me kwim? Ugh..mixed feelings. I guess it just takes some getting used to. Sorry I had to get that out lol ...that's like a whole other thread...... :shock:
Oh, enjoy these days!! Cuddle, sleep, play, sing, spend all day in bed, on the couch, whatever. Right now, all your baby needs is you close to her. Really, there is nothing more important than bonding right now. Bonding lays the foundation or groundwork for healthy babies.
I'm so jealous of the time you have right now :D
Walks are great! I used to do that with Lyric, too... do you have a baby bouncer? lyric had one and loved it! Then as she got older, she started playing with the toys hanging in the front.
awh it sounds like you are doing everything right. when babies are that little all they wanna do is be cuddled, and loved. walks are a great chance to get you outside and moving around as well too, and the fresh air is great.
Thats exactly how I felt and still feel about when bd would go out. Whenever he wants. For however long. And he never has to worry about Eric. I know what you mean too about you dont even want to be where he is, but you are just jealous at the fact that he gets a break and you dont. Grrr bds are dumb.
Well first of all, it's a baby -- there's not a lot you CAN do with them. Go for walks, read, cuddle, that's about it.
Second, get yourself out! Pump some milk and make bd watch her for an hour or so and go to a coffee shop, or og out with some friends. It's important for you to have you time as well (this is one of the most important things I learned as a new mama).
i agree with everyone above... and i also found that my baby liked the black and white images i would show him, so thats cool you did that. another thing was tying a silk scarf onto the heating vent (i guess you're in CA so maybe your AC vent? anything with a bit of a breeze) and letting the baby watch it flutter. or if you have a ceiling fan, tying a glow stick to one of the fan parts and turning it on seems to put them into a trance as well. those are just silly things i came up with b/c i felt like i needed to be stimulating him at all times. i think the stuff he liked most was laying with me skin to skin and eating, laying on my chest to sleep, and looking at my face. babies aren't born looking for outside stimulation, they're pretty much just completely into people and touch and all the rest of it. you're doing awesome!
Once my babies lost their embilical stump, I would take long baths with them, It was always fun. They're all little water babies to this day.
I also recomend smooching the heck outa her. Give her a couple for me too, okay? Someday when you try to kiss her she'll be all MAAAHHHHMMMM gah!
Oh yes, I showered with Lyric sometimes, she loved it. I just laid her on my chest and obviously, the water wasn't too hot - but she loved it. Kisses, cuddling, hugging, compliments, talking to them...
Yes cuddle them and kiss and hug them now, while you still can! Eric will never cuddle with me or give me a hug anymore, and if i try to kiss him sometimes he will give me a "kiss" (he basically opens up his mouth and sticks out his tounge for a kiss) but he usually spits his tounge at me :( Eric liked to look at flashing lights, so I would do stuff like flash lights at him (not too bright) and he liked looking at ceiling fans so I would tie stuff to the cieling fan (at bd's house)
It whats known as the fourth trimester, sure they're born and they're babies & all but really there needs aren't very complex!
When she gets around 2-3 months you'll notice her come out more. And you'll know what to do.
When I had my first I tried to "stimulate him" when he was a newby :lol: I ended up with a cranky baby who just wanted to sleep and I was an anxious mum thinking I was depriving him if I didn't show him shapes and babble on .. having folks give ridiculous advice based on (mis)reading of psych texts didn't help (childfree but know-it-alls who thought nothing of telling me what a shit mum I was). With our second we tried a lot less, just cuddled & fed & changed for the first little bit.. it was way more chilled.
There is a theory know that some babies get 6 week colic because their eyesight improves and everythings a bit too interesting for them and they get over tired. That might ring true for some and not for others.. like all parenting theories!
Do you want my honest opinion?
Your needs are more important right now. You've got hers down pat just lovely. She's fine.
If you are parenting with BD then he should feel as tied to the bub as you and you have as much rights as he does to nick off and a have some time out too.
Freeze some breastmilk, its great for short notice "i need some me time!" demands.
Practice it.
Likewise asking for others help (babysitting relatives, etc)
It'll decrease your chances of postpartum depression.