Am I supposed to...

[Cheeseburger]

do lots of interactive things with baby?

She is almost 8 months old now. I try to play with her... but sometimes she doesn't seem interested (she likes playing by herself mostly?) She does laugh when I play like, peek-a-boo, but let's face it, peek-a-boo gets REALLY boring after awhile!! I take her on tours through the house and point things out.... and talk to her while I do stuff like... "mommy is cooking dinner... are you watching mommy peel potatoes?" etc.

But, i still don't feel like I spend enough interactive time with her, but I really just don't know how to relate to her! right now she is just on the floor rolling around and playing with her toys and she seems just fine, but I feel so guilty because I just don't know how to do a lot with her... and I wish I could think of some type of game or something... any suggestions??

Is it OK if she just sits on my lap and I don't really do much else but hold her? Sometimes, that is what happens. :? I feel like I should be like... more mentally stimulating for her or something....

[AmyB]

Gosh, that age was so long ago for me. You can get some age appropriate books and read to her. Point at pictures out and talk about what they are She is learning so much right now and it is good that you talk to her about what you are doing. Although she can't do them with you at this point, you can sing her songs with movement ( http://www.head-start.lane.or.us/education/activities/music/songs-movement.html ) as a change of pace from peek-a-boo. Don't forget itsty bitsy spider too. Get some stackable bowls, you stack them and let her unstack them. Or some soft blocks would work too. It will be some time before she will really play with you, but you can be playing alongside her.

Of course you don't have to be doing something with her all the time either. Sitting on your lap and cuddling is just as important, as well as exploring on her own, with supervision, of course.

[breezykc2]

Some of the best things you can do for your child from birth through toddler hood to develop language and cognitive skills....is just talk! Use a variation of tones...heck, you can be explaining how you're stirring potatoes and the vocal tones make it stimulating! Plus, it helps develop a good language and vocabulary base that they can draw from when they start speaking! Also...just sing and hum...it is also linked to brain development. Tell them a story and make eye contact...nothing big or long...but they'll hear your voice and start to recognize facial expressions....Show them toys that light up and make noises and mirrors....all these things are stimlating to the brain!

[justmeNmine]

I personally believe that th eenvironment of everyday life is more than enough stimulation for an infant. That is not to say that I don't sing songs or play little games with little ones, but I don't think they necessarily "need" all the stimulation gadgets that Fisher Price would have us believe they do. My daughter loves music, and around that age, I started making her little "instruments," empty canisters, sealed tight with dried beans in it, etc. On eof her favorite games for the last coupl emonths (she just turned one) is to "put in" I give her a large canister and we take turns putting stuff (balls, blocks, animals, etc.) into it. Sometimes, she will take out the ones I put in and want to do it herself. If I'm cooking I give her and empty mixing bowl and spoon, or even a big bowl with a few Cheerios to "mix" around and eat of course :) I guess basically my philosophy is keep it simple and involve them in daily routines, etc. That said, IMO, there is nothing wrong with fostering independence in way of letting little ones learn to entertain themselves.

[myjoyoverflows]

Maddy's almost 7 months now...so we aren't too far off with our kids. I think that talking and singing is the most important way to interact with babies of this age. If I'm doing the dishes, I can't be holding her. So, she sits in her little seat and I sing to her...and dance for her...she LOVES it...she's gotten to the point that if any sound even resembles a beat, she "dances" to it. It's good that you talk with her...about what you're doing or where you're going. I think that's the most important thing that you can do. Because she's not yet ready to actually play "games" with you, there are other things. Reading is one of them...bring her with you and hold her in front of the mirror. Make faces at her and see if she tries to make them with you. It's a good thing that she plays well on her own. TOTALLY be happy for that...but if you want to step in and play a little too...books, music...get lil instrument toys...that make sounds and lights up....I know that Maddy loves stuff like that..sing with the songs...clap...make noises...read to her...let her help you hold the book (board books are best) point to different things on the pages, make different voices for different characters...colors...shapes...things like that...

[Cheeseburger]

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. I feel a little better since I do talk to her a lot etc... I just don't feel like I know how to gear stuff towards her age. But, everyone's suggestions were awesome and I will definitely use them. :)

I will try those movement songs like AmyB suggested, too! and tonight maybe let her play with some plastic bowls in the kitchen while I make supper so she can join me in cooking LOL

[buttercup_97140]

I had this exact "what do I do?" moment with our DD. I was like...what do I do with her now? I can tell you that sometimes that feeling still comes and goes, but really, once they become more active, you can't help BUT do more with them! I say as long as she seems happy and you are "interacting" with her, you are doing well. That age is really complicated!

Blessings,
Amber

[BlessedMommy]

I'm not sure if this is 100% on topic, but... One thing that keeps Hannah really happy is riding around on my back. I purchased a backpack frame carrier and boy it was the best $20 that I have spent. Hannah can ride around on my back and look around at things while I do dishes, laundry, vacuuming, etc.

[EvaS]

Ruth, maybe I should purchase one of those backpack things, I just put Abby on my back and let her hang on for dear life. :lol: Totally kidding. But i do put her on my back piggy back style (sitting down) and sway back and forth with her on my back. She loves it.

Cheese, that is a hard age, but I think you are doing a great job! Once they start crawling, watch out! But like Amber said, once they get mobile you can't help but do more with them. I think just talking to her and singing to her is pretty good. Now, Abby is quite content to play on her own or if I sit on the carpet with her, she will crawl over to me and stand up against my back and pull up my shirt and make farting noises on my back :shock: It's really funny. Anyway, sorry I probably veared off topic there. Bottom line, I think you're doing fantasimo!

[BlessedMommy]

Yeah, the backpack is wonderful! I use it even more than my sling, because it was tough to get housework done with her in the sling, because she wasn't as secure and out of the way of things as she is in the backpack. It was cool, I was out shopping and I felt impressed to go into a Big Lots store (they sell discontinued items cheaper) and they had one backpack carrier left and it was a good price too! Our dishes rarely sit unwashed in the sink anymore, now that she can perch on my back while I wash them. It's great!

I'm not a paid spokesperson by the way, lol. [rofl]

[Cheeseburger]

Wow that is a good idea. I wish we had a carrier, but, we can't really afford one right now.

[BlessedMommy]

Just keep your eyes open everywhere you go! One of my slings was free, the other one was $5. My frontpack was free and my backpack was only $20. So hopefully you'll find a good deal somewhere. :)

[Cheeseburger]

Just keep your eyes open everywhere you go! One of my slings was free, the other one was $5. My frontpack was free and my backpack was only $20. So hopefully you'll find a good deal somewhere. :)

Yeah, FREE is definitely what I would call a good deal ;) lol!