What do your 4.5 month olds do for play time?

We have two bouncys and two Gymini mats and swings, and they also get tummy time. I think they must be bored by the "same old same old" thing by now. What else can we do?

We have an Exersaucer, but aren't they too young for it? Neither can sit upright yet. Same with a Jumperoo... if they can't sit up yet, isn't putting them into those types of contraptions bad for their little spines??? I am confused because I know some moms who put their babies in these things at the same age our babies are now.

I just worry they aren't learning anything new. Gosh, always something to worry about I guess.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

I understand how frustrating it can be...for YOU! But, not for them. Babies like repetition. We have been using the exersaucer for awhile now - they love them! (just put small towels or something to hold them up in the seat)
I also read books with lots of colors and pictures a few times per day. My DS LOVES the books, DD doesn't seem to care either way.
We do gyms, just giving them a toy or links while in their bouncies, tummy time, looking in mirrors...

Sometimes, I just put them in the bouncies in the kitchen and talk to them while I am doing something. I show them the plates, etc.

Hang in there. I cannot wait until they play together!

jen

 

quote:
We have an Exersaucer, but aren't they too young for it? Neither can sit upright yet.

Not too young! Stuff blankets around them if they are still wobbly. They just need to have good neck control for these types of things.

And don't worry, sounds like they are getting a good variety of activities! You are doing a good job, momma!

 

Ours use the jumperoo and exersaucer and gym mat thingy too! They love it and I always rotate them and do tummy time. I feel like I have all of these little play stations in my living room. Quite funny if you saw it!

 

I was wondering about this too. Sometimes I feel like we do the same things over and over...and over . But I've also heard that babies like predictability and repetition. Here are some things we do:

bouncies with different toys that I attach.
baby eistein gym
swing (this is great when it seems like they need a little quieter down time, but aren't quite ready for a nap).
books with lots of color and soft books that they can put in their mouths.
stroller ride once a day
just laying on floor on the blanket singing songs, making silly faces and tickling.
sitting one up in the corner of the couch, holding the other on my knee and letting them look at each other, coo, and touch (they LOVE this)

Yep, that about does it for our day!

 

I rotate ... activity gym, tummy time, Bumbo, bouncy seat, Exersaucer (5-10 minutes only), swing, cuddling with mommy ... that's about all you can do.

 

I was worried about the same thing just a little while ago and I even posted about it. After really thinking about it, I realized we were doing plenty. I just needed to switch it around more often as they seemed to get tired of one activity after 10-15minutes.

Besides just changing activities, we also change locations in the house. They like when we go and play in different areas/rooms. These are some of the activities that we do:

- boppy pillows (we have the "Babysitter" ones that have a toy bar hanging over it with toys)
- activity mats - we switch the toys around
- tummy time
- lay them on a blanket on the floor and make faces, talk to them etc
- sing songs to them
- read books to them (sometimes on the couch and sometimes on our bed)
- prop them up on the pillows on our bed while I fold laundry (they love it because I tell them what I am doing)
- hold one in my lap while the other is leaning up on the couch and let them face each other and watch each other
- bouncy/rocking chairs with toys that we switch around
- daily massages (we put them on the bed after a diaper change and massage their arms and legs - they love this)
- lay them on the bed and take turns pulling them up into a sitting position (we find it easier to do on the bed but we also do it on the floor too sometimes)
- exersaucer with blankets around them for support - they have excellent head control but they are still a bit small for them - they just started using them last week and really like them

That's all I can think of right now. Hope they will give you some more ideas.

Don't worry that they aren't learning. They are learning every minute of the day whether you are playing with them or not.

Have fun!

 

Mine had that same boredom problem. in a few weeks, they'll start liking hte exersaucer -- just put a blanket rolled up so their feet touch the floor. I also got bumbos and trays for the bumbos at this age and it helped them get used to sitting upright. I also started letting them play in their highchairs at that age. they loved that and there was a tray to hold toys.

my boys were sitting unassisted at 5.5 mos.

Teri D

 

Thank you all for your replies, it's very helpful to see what others are doing. I think I will try the Exersaucer this weekend.

Sorry it took so long to get back on and thank you all... I know that you all you understand how it is trying to get on-line time...

 

We did the Exersaucer and the Jumperoo at this point! They are definitely not too young for it. Let us know how it goes!

 

We just introduced the Jolly Jumper to them and they LOVE it. Just another idea!

 

hi Lisa!

At this point we just moved the boys from station to station - bouncy, swing, floor, saucer (but not too long in there). Well, I was already back at work so Phil did his best.

 

Sorry if this is redundant, I didn't take the time to read other posts.

At 5 months (I see you're nearly there) our main "activities" were:

*Baby Einstein playmat
*Walks in the stroller
*Swings
*Singing
*Exersaucer (this was more like 5.5 months)
*Leap Frog Learning Table (this was a HUGE hit from 4 months on and still is today. At 4 months I removed both legs and used it for tummy time. When they started sitting I added 2 legs so it was at a 45 degree angle. Now that they're cruising it's got all 4 legs and continues to be a favorite)...best long-term toy investment I've made yet.
*We started with the jumperoo at about 5.5-6 months.
*I also tied a helium balloon to their ankles and watched them figure out they were moving it. Just make sure you are right there for safety.
*Ceiling fans & clock pendulums were also a big hit at 3-6 months. My mom cut ribbon and taped it to her ceiling fan and then layed the boys underneath it and let it rip...they were hypnotized.

I wouldn't worry about them not "learning" anything new. They can't help but learn all day long. My best advice would be to remember not to OVERstimulate them. I think it's important for them to have some time to sit and watch their environment. That is a HUGE way that babies learn.