Newborn stuff

[hannahbear]

So, besides feeding and other survival stuff, what kinds of things do you like doing with your newborn?

We've been singing a lot and he seems to love it. I'm thinking of starting to read to him during wakeful times, too.

[ivehearditbothways]

I give dd a little baby massage after her baths. She seems to especially love when I rub lotion onto her legs!

[hannahbear]

Aug 15, 2016 14:03:59 GMT -5 ivehearditbothways said:

I give dd a little baby massage after her baths. She seems to especially love when I rub lotion onto her legs!

My guy is such a wiggle worm - I tried to put lotion on him and it was a slippery mess! Lol

[dc2london]

I read board books to her during awake times. She spends very little time awake right now, so sometimes just talking/singing to her during a diaper change and a few minutes of tummy time is it. They love to look at faces so a mirror or a book with baby faces are good things.
My kids have all loved this book
www.amazon.com/Amazing-Baby-Boo-Emma-Dodd/dp/1592239463

[annbuhdan]

We love this book too!
www.amazon.com/Baby-Sees-First-Faces-Sassy/dp/0448477874

[dc2london]

I also often read my books aloud. Any language is good language in the first year.

[hannahbear]

Aug 15, 2016 15:31:58 GMT -5 dc2london said:

I also often read my books aloud. Any language is good language in the first year.

That's such a fun idea!!

[gratefulgirl]

DD3 doesn't have much alert time yet (a new thing for the grateful house), except MOTN I guess. We spend what she does staring at each other, which is actually good for development.

As she develops quiet awake I will:

1) Do tummy time on the changing pad before and after diaper changes. It is a great spot because they can see you/stuff without lifting their heads. Also you remember to do it a million times a day that way.

2) visual tracking practice with black and white toys

3) reading (she gets that while I nurse her and read to her sisters now)

4) activity mat with toys to the side on back or even propped on her side

5) dancing! Support her in all sorts of positions and dance for great development stuff.

6) singing and listening to music

There are lots of pediatric OT and PT blogs with great ideas!

[hashbrownnofilter]

Aug 15, 2016 15:31:58 GMT -5 dc2london said:

I also often read my books aloud. Any language is good language in the first year.

We do this too. H reads DS to sleep every night - they did LOTR, and they're halfway through the Harry Potter series.

[dc2london]

Aug 15, 2016 17:39:27 GMT -5 hashbrownnofilter said:

Aug 15, 2016 15:31:58 GMT -5 dc2london said:

I also often read my books aloud. Any language is good language in the first year.

We do this too. H reads DS to sleep every night - they did LOTR, and they're halfway through the Harry Potter series.

This is so sweet
My oldest is in a big "I hate books" phase so I can't tell whether his disgust with HP is genuine or just bad attitude

[dc2london]

I looooove dancing with my babies. One of my favorite songs to dance to is "The Best Thing " by Ray Lamontagne. I love singing "You are the beeeeest thing that ever happened to me " while I bounce and snuggle them.
And for some reason DS1 used to absolutely love the song "Call me Al" by Paul Simon lollll

[kokopelli]

I'm going to 2nd reading your own books to them. I have read all sorts of things out loud to my kids. I just edit out the bad stuff if it is a sweary book.

[bocaburger]

The idea that I will soon be able/need to do anything other than feed is so overwhelming to me. Currently we are surviving in 2 states, sleeping and eating. There is no non-eating awake time. I don't understand how that will possibly work.

[spicysalmonroll]

Aug 15, 2016 21:26:28 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

The idea that I will soon be able/need to do anything other than feed is so overwhelming to me. Currently we are surviving in 2 states, sleeping and eating. There is no non-eating awake time. I don't understand how that will possibly work.

right?!? I only have one (god bless you) and I'm over here like uum what? He just sleeps like a bump on a log all day, there is no playing or dancing or singing or reading. Haha

[kokopelli]

Boca you guys are still in the newborn stage! Mine usually wake up around 2 months old and all of sudden want to have some entertainment. Good news is they have each other to keep compony. A friend had twins 7 months ago and her fb feed is filled with tons of daily shenanigans.

[kaitkat]

Aug 16, 2016 1:27:42 GMT -5 spicysalmonroll said:

Aug 15, 2016 21:26:28 GMT -5 bocaburger said:

The idea that I will soon be able/need to do anything other than feed is so overwhelming to me. Currently we are surviving in 2 states, sleeping and eating. There is no non-eating awake time. I don't understand how that will possibly work.

right?!? I only have one (god bless you) and I'm over here like uum what? He just sleeps like a bump on a log all day, there is no playing or dancing or singing or reading. Haha

Haha so much This! I figure I have a 2 year old to talk their ear off haha that's about the extent of the entertainment my dudes get poor guys

[gratefulgirl]

Aug 16, 2016 3:40:29 GMT -5 kokopelli said:

Boca you guys are still in the newborn stage! Mine usually wake up around 2 months old and all of sudden want to have some entertainment. Good news is they have each other to keep compony. A friend had twins 7 months ago and her fb feed is filled with tons of daily shenanigans.

Mine wake up earlier, but it's gradual. Like one day you do 5 min. of tummy time before nap. Another day it's 10 min. under the play mat.

Plus realistically they fit into your life, too. Some awake times are Target runs and grocery shopping, you know? And after a while getting out the door is not too bad.

[hummingbird125]

Aug 15, 2016 17:46:40 GMT -5 dc2london said:

I looooove dancing with my babies. One of my favorite songs to dance to is "The Best Thing " by Ray Lamontagne. I love singing "You are the beeeeest thing that ever happened to me " while I bounce and snuggle them.
And for some reason DS1 used to absolutely love the song "Call me Al" by Paul Simon lollll

That's the song DH and I used as our recessional at our wedding last year! Will definitely need to dance to it with DS 😊

[hummingbird125]

Question - does sleeping on my chest count as tummy time? Or do we really need to try to have him spend some time on his belly when really awake/alert right now? Or will that just happen as he spends more and more time awake (he's only 4 days old now)?

[dc2london]

Aug 17, 2016 13:04:01 GMT -5 hummingbird125 said:

Question - does sleeping on my chest count as tummy time? Or do we really need to try to have him spend some time on his belly when really awake/alert right now? Or will that just happen as he spends more and more time awake (he's only 4 days old now)?

Yes. Tummy time on you counts as tummy time at this age

[gratefulgirl]

Aug 17, 2016 13:04:01 GMT -5 hummingbird125 said:

Question - does sleeping on my chest count as tummy time? Or do we really need to try to have him spend some time on his belly when really awake/alert right now? Or will that just happen as he spends more and more time awake (he's only 4 days old now)?

Any familiarization counts! I sort of count the laid back nursing we do even though her head is supported because she is belly down.

[steph]

Sometimes when I'm burping him he'll stretch his arms out wide, put one around my neck and the other around my arm and then squeeze back. I like to think he's hugging me

And the smiles. I know it's a reflex at this point but it really should be named the "make my mama fall in love with me all over again" reflex

[hummingbird125]

DS's faces while being burped are hilarious. I MUST get them on video. We do the sitting up/one hand holding jaw, the other patting his back-burping, and he opens his eyes real wide and then looks at you all suspicious-like, and sometimes he reaches a hand out towards DH as if to say "what the HELL is this woman doing to me?!"

[quirks]

I like to laugh at my kid's farts.

I also sing a little bit while I change her and talk to her while she's laying on me. I call her my squirmy wormy.

[pbandjelly]

Aug 19, 2016 17:12:34 GMT -5 quirks said:

I like to laugh at my kid's farts.

I also sing a little bit while I change her and talk to her while she's laying on me. I call her my squirmy wormy.

I also laugh at DS's farts. He is especially gassy during tummy time and I find it almost hysterical. While he's busy pushing himself up, he's farting like crazy.

[hummingbird125]

Aug 19, 2016 18:19:03 GMT -5 pbandjelly said:

Aug 19, 2016 17:12:34 GMT -5 quirks said:

I like to laugh at my kid's farts.

I also sing a little bit while I change her and talk to her while she's laying on me. I call her my squirmy wormy.

I also laugh at DS's farts. He is especially gassy during tummy time and I find it almost hysterical. While he's busy pushing himself up, he's farting like crazy.

Omg, the farts are hilarious. DH will always ask "was that him, or you?" "HIM!!" I'll say. Most of the time, I'm even telling the truth.

[quirks]

LOL H and I both point at the baby now whenever anyone farts

[spicysalmonroll]

Aug 19, 2016 16:49:11 GMT -5 hummingbird125 said:

DS's faces while being burped are hilarious. I MUST get them on video. We do the sitting up/one hand holding jaw, the other patting his back-burping, and he opens his eyes real wide and then looks at you all suspicious-like, and sometimes he reaches a hand out towards DH as if to say "what the HELL is this woman doing to me?!"

try the hula! This exact position, but Instead of patting the back rotate their body in a circular motion towards you, around, away from you. You can YouTube if you don't get what i'm saying lol. Mine gets a burp out much quicker this way! And yes, the faces he makes is so cute I've been meaning to video it!

[spicysalmonroll]

Aug 17, 2016 13:28:23 GMT -5 dc2london said:

Aug 17, 2016 13:04:01 GMT -5 hummingbird125 said:

Question - does sleeping on my chest count as tummy time? Or do we really need to try to have him spend some time on his belly when really awake/alert right now? Or will that just happen as he spends more and more time awake (he's only 4 days old now)?

Yes. Tummy time on you counts as tummy time at this age

oh goodie cuz he'll spend hours on my chest but only 2 minutes on the play mat lol

[dc2london]

I have only ever met one baby who liked tummy time and it was DS2 who was a total unicorn