Awake Time?

I am a new mom. My boys are 12 weeks old, but born at 31 weeks, so I guess their adjusted age is 3 weeks. My pediatrician said in most aspects I should go by their actual age for things such as sleeping and feeding. The only thing you use their adjusted age for is developmental. My question is: they are starting to get more alert and awake for longer periods of time. I am looking for some advice on what to do with them during the day to occupy them, and how to balance getting some things done without ignoring. One of them is pretty content, but the other doesn't really like to be left to bouncy seat or swing when awake. I do play with them, but what are some of the activities others do with their babies at this age, and how do you manage with two. If anyone has any examples of their daily schedule and what times they feed, play, sleep, etc... that would be great as well. I am a stay-at-home mom, so I will be home all day with them. Thanks!

 

tummy time, tummy time, tummy time!

do you have an activity mat with toys that hang down? that could be another "station" you rotate them through.

 

QUOTE(piccologirl @ Jun 9 2009, 08:39 AM) [snapback]1347351[/snapback]
tummy time, tummy time, tummy time!

do you have an activity mat with toys that hang down? that could be another "station" you rotate them through.


It's funny that you say that. We started trying tummy time a week after w brought them home, and they HATE IT! I don't know what it is but they cry and cry. We even tried putting them on us and it is a little better but they still get frustrated.

 

Keep at the tummy time. . .most babies hate it, but it's so important developmentally and physically.

 

My boys hated tummy time too, especially Jack. For the first couple of months he'd just lay there and cry. But eventually they learn to pick their heads up and start to enjoy the view!

I would lay them on their tummies and encourage them to look up by putting toys in front of them, or laying down on the ground in front of them and calling their names. If they were a little fussy and it motivated them to move around, great! If they got hysterical, I would pick them up and try again later. They would sometimes tolerate tummy time more if it was on us. We'd lay on the ground and put them on our chests for a few minutes. Even reclining on a chair with them laying on you counts!

I heartily agree with the PP on the activity mat. They get a lot of stimulation out of it, and my boys could both fit on it for a long time. In fact, we were still using it up until a couple of weeks ago when the cat peed on it.

You can also practice sitting by laying them on their backs, holding their hands, and gently pulling them up to a sitting position. This helps them develop head control.

My guys were 35 weekers, and by about 4 months old we started them on the EASY method: Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time. It gave them some structure, and gave us some idea of what to expect during the day!

 

QUOTE(Nate and Jack @ Jun 9 2009, 09:04 AM) [snapback]1347393[/snapback]
My boys hated tummy time too, especially Jack. For the first couple of months he'd just lay there and cry. But eventually they learn to pick their heads up and start to enjoy the view!

I would lay them on their tummies and encourage them to look up by putting toys in front of them, or laying down on the ground in front of them and calling their names. If they were a little fussy and it motivated them to move around, great! If they got hysterical, I would pick them up and try again later. They would sometimes tolerate tummy time more if it was on us. We'd lay on the ground and put them on our chests for a few minutes. Even reclining on a chair with them laying on you counts!

I heartily agree with the PP on the activity mat. They get a lot of stimulation out of it, and my boys could both fit on it for a long time. In fact, we were still using it up until a couple of weeks ago when the cat peed on it.

You can also practice sitting by laying them on their backs, holding their hands, and gently pulling them up to a sitting position. This helps them develop head control.

My guys were 35 weekers, and by about 4 months old we started them on the EASY method: Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time. It gave them some structure, and gave us some idea of what to expect during the day!


Thank you for the tips... great ideas, I will give them a try.

 

Mine hated tummy time too. I would put them on their boppies and they seemed to like that a bit better. They loved the activity mat too and I always encorporated a walk outside during the day, which seemed to kill time and was good for all of us. I would rotate them in a bouncey seat in front of a window (door window) too. My DD was a bit more fussy so to get things done I bought a cheap front pouch from Walmart and she LOVED it!! I was able to get things done and keep one occupied at the same time.

 

I don't know if this would work for you, since it does involve a bouncy seat, but in the evenings before DH comes home we do the "Cooking with Mommy" show--I put them in their bouncys on the floor in the kitchen (not too close to the stove!) and make dinner. They like it because they can look at the light (and the fan) overhead and I'm continually talking to them, telling them what I'm doing, singing, getting them to laugh, etc. They don't spend a lot of time in the kitchen when their "show" isn't on, so it's more of a new experience for them. Good luck!

 

We got an activity mat at 3 months and my kids love it. It's our favorite toy right now. Mine was $40 from Walmart.

 

Your guys are a bit small for this at this point but you may want to check into Bumbo seats. We started doing daily Bumbo time with them and it helped them immensely! They hated tummy time too....I had even bought the Bobby tummy time mats w/ the small boppy and they always hated that too....even today. But, they have really learned to love their Bumbo seats and it has done wonders for the neck and back control because they have to get used to balancing in them. Just an idea. Our guys will now do tummy time and not scream lol.

 

Tummy time is important. If they hate it so much, I would just do it a few times a day for only a couple mins until they get the hang of it more. Also, I remember in the early days my girls would get 'bored' every ten mins or so. I called them 'stations' and would change their activity up every ten to fifteen mins.

Stations included:
Bouncy
Glider
Floor
Couch [but only for the first couple months - bad, I know]
Tummy time
Or just plain ole carry around the house [they Loved to look around]

Also, mine didn't care for the activity mat. They just liked to look at themselves in the mirror for a couple mins, then would get bored of it.. So I ended up taking all the dangling toys off and they [still] play[ed] with them