DS is now 16 days old and I'm at a loss of what to do all day. I try to catch a nap or rest when he is sleeping but when he is up I don't know what to do. We've done some tummy time, but other than that I'm at a loss.
My mom was here for the first two weeks, so he spent time between the 2 of us during the day, now she has gone home and I'm just not sure what to do.
squash / 13764 posts
Honestly, for the first 8-10 wks, just being alive is super stimulating for babies! 
Try talking to him, singing to him, reading him books showing him different toys...by the time you do one or two of those things, plus feeding him and a diaper change, it'll probably be time for him to go to sleep again. Rinse and repeat Also, now that the weather is nice, I would try to get out of the house and go for walks. Or you can put him in a carrier and go about your business in your house--most babies love the closeness of carriers.
pomelo / 5621 posts
@hilsy85: I wish the weather was nicer. It is snowing here again for the second day in a row, plus the foot of snow from the day he was born. Hopefully we get spring soon and can spend some time outdoors. I kind of figured for now that there wasn't much else to do.
grapefruit / 4442 posts
What hilsy85 said. I also baby wore and she would watch while I cleaned.
pomelo / 5628 posts
It's really hard! I do tummy time as much as possible. he spend a lot of time on my knees and I sing songs or make faces. He likes to stare at black and white toys so we do that for awhile. Occasionally, I'll put him in the swing or crib to watch his mobile. I try to talk to him as much as possible, but definitely feel like I'm just out of things to say or do, but then feel guilty if I'm not interacting with him 100% of the time he's awake.
But some quiet time is good for lo too.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
I am still trying to figure this out. I just talk to her a lot, sing to her, but after feeding her, diaper, little play time, she will yawn, so I swaddled and start trying to get her down for a nap. There isn't much to do with this age or you over stimulate them.
GOLD / grapefruit / 4007 posts
Watch real housewives marathons. Hahahaha
Now that LO is more alert( 11 wks) we "play" a lot more but those early days I just watched a ton of tv while he slept
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
We didn't do much in the beginning, I would read to her, do tummy time, talk to her, or show her things. There isn't a whole lot you can do at that age, trust me, once they get older you will have tons to do
pomelo / 5093 posts
At that point my daughter was my little sidekick. We went to restaurants, shopping, to mommy movies, to museums, to see friends, whatever. I hung around and watched tv, read, did yoga. I kind of just went on with my life in between snuggling with her and meeting her needs. It was pretty fun, for the most part. When they're still that little you really can just take them everywhere with you.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
we just really snuggled at that point!
and @Mrs Green Grass, lol I felt guilty about not entertaining O all the time too - and when I said this to my aunt, she told me to make sure she has independent time. I guess she didn't do this with her oldest - who became possessive of her mom! she would actually bite or yell at other children that tried to interact with her (at like, age 3). hahaha. my aunt was like, "I let my youngest have plenty of independent time, no biting or possession there!"
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6703 posts
@coacheswife123: I may or may not have gotten through all 10 seasons of CSI:Miami between weeks 2-12 of LO's life.
pomelo / 5621 posts
Thanks ladies. Now I don't feel so bad for watching tv and cuddling most of the day.
kiwi / 549 posts
Like Mrs Green Grass said, you don't want to do too much with them or they overstimulate. I think the max wake time for a newborn is something like an hour and a half, isn't it?
5 minutes = diaper change
10 minutes = changing baby's outfit and your outfit because there's probably poop on both
3-5 minutes = grab a snack for yourself while baby screams to be fed
30 minutes = LO nurses, you watch TV or check FB on your phone.
3 minutes = burp baby
1 minute = clean up spit up, optional change of your shirt
2 minutes = get out tummy time blanket and a few toys
10 minutes = tummy time
10 minutes = reading or hanging out in the carrier while you start laundry, feed the dog, etc.
--- that leaves 15 minutes-- just enough time to change the diaper again if necessary, get baby back to sleep, and turn off your phone so you can nap again. If you're an overachiever, you could put the baby in the bouncer while you grab a 5 minute shower first, or you could do stuff while baby naps, but I didn't.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@red_seattle: I love that breakdown! Now if only my baby really was only up for an hour and a half. He's more apt to be up for two and a half hours with a 30 minute nap. But he doesn't seem overstimulated and seems happy so... good for him I guess.
pomelo / 5093 posts
Yeaaaah my baby was never one of those with a 'max awake time'. I'd say just follow your instincts. If they're telling you to hang around snuggling and napping on the couch, do it. Do it like crazy. Or, go out and do exciting things. Whatever - just do what feels right.
grape / 99 posts
@red_seattle: that is completely accurate!
Most days I just snuggle the heck out of DD.parents job this early in the game is to provide love and security for LO.
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