Ideas to Keep 7 Week Old Active

I work from home and needed that active, but happy time w/ my son as well. I used a bouncy seat w/ a vibration option, and placed it right next to my desk so he could see me and could be soothed by my voice when I needed to work. The toys were cute, but he did not play with them much until about 3 months. I found that he took many naps in there as well.

I also placed a blanket on the floor when I needed to fold laundry and let him have some tummy time. That will cause him to cry because he is probably not used to being on his tummy, but every baby needs to spend that supervised tummy time to help develop neck and back muscles. By the time I finished folding the laundry, he was ready to get off his tummy, but he had also had that devoted time to strengthening those muscles.

He's pretty young to need to entertain himself. I wouldn't worry about that. I would buy a good sling and carry him around with you while you clean, etc... so he can be part of the action.

I would suggest wearing him in a forward facing snuggli or baby bjorn - he'll LOVE seeing things from your level and feel comforted by knowing you're close. Even mundane chores around the house are stimulating for babies with all the sights and sounds!

Best,
C.

A sling is a good idea b/c at his age, up and active are times he wants to be with you. He's too young to be occupied on his own. You could try a hanging mobile above him, maybe. Otherwise, he's meant to be with you. He's still so young. Try to treasure this time with him.

Hi J.,
I am not sure you can keep a 7-week old baby occupied. It does sound like you have an alert baby (I had two of them..). Most babies want to be close to mom and you may find that if you use the bjorn, various wraps, slings, etc..that he may be much happier. You can attempt tummy time, though you probably won't get that much from that either. Swings can be helpful if he is interested in looking at the mobiles (my daughter loved this) and my son enjoyed a bouncy seat that I put on the kitchen and he would look and swat at the mobile. He also enjoyed th view. Both of these offered both physical and mental exercise. (physical because they will kick and swat). Your son may need a lot of mental stimulation and may like to "watch" life around him from your point of view (up high) and wearing them gives them the chance to see the world from a different view.
Good luck and enjoy

I agree with the sling/baby carrier recommendations... it's so nice to see that so many people here suggested that! I'd be more than happy to help you with that, if you'd like, as I am planning to start a local support group in Yuma soon to teach moms about babywearing safely (and also to just hang out & fellowship). By having your baby in a carrier next to you, he'll become more engaged in your daily activities yet you'll have free hands to continue doing whatever you need to do. There's a group in Phoenix of moms who meet regularly and who are very knowledgeable in babywearing -- including the former owner of BESTfed.

Let me know if I can offer some specific carrier suggestions (I don't sell any carriers, but I've tried a lot and helped lots of moms like you in the last 2 1/2 years), or if you'd like to connect with the local babywearing group.

Have you tried a baby carrier? My son stayed occupied just by watching what I was doing ~ putting dishes away, walking to get the mail, etc. Also, plenty of tummy time. He will work hard trying to pick that head up!

Also, get a bunch of board books. I read to my son from the start and to this day, those 4 or 5 books that I had when he was a few weeks old are still his favorites!

If you live near Shea + the 101, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea has a mom's group everything Thursday (it's on the website, or call to find out the times for your son's age group). That way he can see other babies.

Finally, there are programs like Gymboree that start very young. We LOVE Gymboree but there are lots of others out there -- The Little Gym, Kids U, My Gym, etc. And music programs -- Music Together or Kindermusik. These can be expensive but I think they're great!! (We have tried almost all of them and I think the very best are Gymboree and Music Together).

Good luck and I know what you mean, my son was the same way, and now he is a VERY ACTIVE 14-month-old! I disagree with the mom who said it's ok for him to cry. I think it's great that you aware that your baby is active and alert and needs more! Nurture that! I have heard a lot of moms of bright children say that they were like that when they were newborns!

Have you ever heard of the happiest baby on the block? I had heard about it before my daughter was born and blew it off... I just watched the dvd (3 years later) and OMG! I wish I had watched it when she was a baby. (infant) watch it sooner that later you can find the book and dvd at the library it seriously is AMAZING.

Also, I know infants like bright bold colors and mirrors so if you have bright toys have them about 1-2 feet from his face. If not you can always get a piece of paper and color big red and black circles and shapes on it and pin it on the wall where he can see it, that used to keep my daughter entertained for a while.

Hi J.,
Congratualtions on your little boy! Here are some ideas that helped me and still do (my daughter is now 5 months old)-
Play gym (loves batting the hanging toys)
Baby Einstein DVD's (we only allow 30 min per day)
Chico carrier (Could fold laundry w/ her still feeling close)
Walking to the mailbox with her in the stroller
Putting her in the bouncer, play music and let them watch you boogie (sounds silly but fun!)
I really try to involve my daughter in all activities even if it means getting it done a little slower. She loves watching mom and I let her hold onto similar objects to what I might be using (always safe of course).
If I'm cooking I give her a plastic unused spatula. If I am sorting bills I give her a book.
Best of luck to you and your little guy!!
~D.

I suggest a sling! You maye have to try a few to find one that works for you both -- chcek out hot slings online.

Hey girl, I know you have heard the saying " your a new mom, and you will learn". I hate to say it BUT it is true. At 7 weeks they want to be held,cuddled,changed,and fed. If you put him down he most likely cries, if you pick him up he probably stops, It is the same if you talk to him while he is fussing. But HONESTLY, he mostly needs you to talk to him, dad as well. Right now it is all about the bonding, not entertaining him. The time will be coming that you will NEED to entertain. But right now just love on him… And it will get easier…PROMISE! :}

PS. I am a nurse, and I just want you to know that NO child has EVER died from crying. And sometimes you need to do something and your not able to pick them up, babies cry and that is fine,your not a bad mom because he is crying...