8 Month Old with Nothing to Do!!!

I agree with the outside time. Picnic blanket and him lying there looking at all. Walks in the park. That way the other kids get to play but he gets stimulation also. Also how bout joining a mommy and me class. I did that with my kid and it was wonderful

Sounds a little overstimulated, perhaps more rug time on his back or belly where you can see him. Hopefully this will get him to become stimulated and want to start scooting around. Leaving his favorite toys just beyond arms reach might work too. I'm after 2 children you've tried most of this. what does your pediatrician suggest?

Boredom breeds creativity.

And here's another one

A man's reach should exceed his grasp.

You really don't need to spend your day finding things for him to do... it sounds like you have a great house, and your children are loved. If everything is brought to him all the time, he won't learn to reach. You DO want that.

:)

is he napping?
overtired?
Babies this age usually still nap 3 times a day, 2 at the least.

Don't pressure yourself... you don't have to 'entertain' their every minute.
They need down-time too...
I used to lay outside on the lawn with my kids at that age, and just look up at the sky and talk with them... they liked to see the trees/leaves blowing in the wind, it was relaxing for them.
I let them "sniff" things... let them grab the grass and leaves etc.
They need that too.

He may be over stimulated.
I'd leave him on the floor with a few toys some JUST out of reach. maybe a shape sorter or one of those leapfrog stuffed things that make sounds.

It sounds like he may be overstimulated. If you don't let him be and get him used to being stimulated and "entertained" all the time, he will not learn to just BE with himself, sit quietly to "read" a book, etc.
I recently saw the movie "Babies" which shows the life of 4 babies from birth to about 1 year old in 4 different countries: Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and the US. It really made me realize that babies are OK if you just let them be free to discover things themselves.
I strongly disagree with the person who suggested parking him in front of Baby Einstein. Baby Einstein DVDs for children under 2 years old were recalled and the company sued for false claims regarding these videos for children. Consider trying to avoid all TV until after he is 2 years old.

when ;the other kids are home.. put him down on the floor by them.. tell them do dance... and sing.. maybe just play... so he can see them.. this could help a little... i also put the playpen outside ... on the front lawn while i took my laundy out and folded it... the baby would see cars go by and see my folding laundry.. good luck

My twins loved watching Baby Einstein. I would put on one half hour show once a day just to get dinner ready. It totally saved me .

He'll let you know when he's bored. He's taking it all in, learning from observing. One of the disadvantages of being a 3rd (or more) kid is that you get less one-on-one time with mom, but one of the advantages is that you get to observe the "bigger kids" and learn from all of that wisdom. SO, I wouldn't worry until he tells you to!

Hi, S.:

What does your pediatrician suggest?
Just want to know. D.

My son is 9 months old and LOVES the Playskool Busy Ball Popper. It's about 17 dollars at Target. 5 colored balls go flying around.......he gets to pick them up and put them back in. (just a warning- in the beginning the game is "watch mom picks up these balls," but eventually they learn to do it.) Also- for a while he loved the Fisher Price Kicking Piano. I had that mounted to his changing table for a while and now crib. Nothing catches his attention like the Busy Ball Popper though...

Also- My son has a walker and loves it. I know the AAP says 'no walkers,' but I had one growing up and am fine. He gets to run around like crazy around the kitchen.... loves when I unload and load the dishwasher, etc... His new game is to chase his Daddy and me around the kitchen.

Before my son could be left sitting up I used to put the Boppy Pillow behind him to support him. Or- One of those armchair pillows (Walmart has them pretty cheap) that will support him behind his head and his sides.

We just went to a cousin's party and we loved a BIG red ball.... (Shoprite has them) It was huge! And- big legos for babies and a dancing spider man plush toy... Those will be my next coveted baby items.

Good luck! I completely understand your pain!
M. ;)

You don't say if he is upset? So basing on the guess he is ok and not angry or upset why not let him decide on what he wants to do--he can start making some decisions on where he wants to go in the house or play with his siblings. This will help his imagination to go where he wants and pick up the toys he likes or if he is happy to just sit there/lay there put on some good music and let him listen-try some kids "tapes/CDs or even something on the radio---the reason I don't say the television is that it produces no activity at all--most kids will simply sit/lay/lean and watch--does not stimulate the mind as much as listening does. With three kids I don't know how you find time to take care of anything if you are spending this much time trying to entertain him--let him work on some of it and you can sit back and watch him--be patient Mom he is your 3rd and he has two others to watch for ideas and take after. Take note here he will get mad at you whe you leave it to him but let him do it and it will surprise you!

We just alternated when my daughter was that age. Bouncer, floor time with toys, high chair with toys, outside on a blanket, playpen with books/toys, go for a walk etc.