"Entertainment Advice Needed to Do with My 3 1/2 Month Old"

Well, there's not much you can do with a 3 1/2 month old baby...If you have a swing, or bouncy seat with toys hanging in front of the baby, or even laying him/her on their back in a playpen with some toys lying around. I don't know what they're called, but the mats that have hanging toys that come up on top, crib gym I think, those are great. You can also try putting the baby on their tummy too - so they can build their neck strength. But at 3 and 1/2 months old, they need to be held and played with a lot. As they get older, that changes...Hope this helps!

Hey T.

I know its hard trying to keep ur baby independent at this stage. Trust me, I have been there with my baby who is five mths today (yeah!). It actually gets a little better and worse at the same time because they go through different stages. You would not believe that as I am typing the message he is on his own playing with his toys. There is stage after where he will want to walk and u will have to be his feet, hence the thought better to worse.
Anyways what I have done is find toys that have captivated his interests and that he can play with on his own. Therefore I dont have to interact unless i want to. (still typing he is still playing and talking). Right now he is in his bouncer. You could try a swing with him watching kids videos, one of those floor mats with the activities above the head that he can reach ( or at leasr try to reach) toys that sings or make noises. I hope that u will find something that works soon. I can get him to play by himself but honey sometimes I cant get him to sleep long enough to work and rest. So it from one extreme to another. Pick ur battles carefully, I know u will figure it out. Thats why we are called MOMS.

G.

I remember how you feel! My son is now 17 months and I was always trying to entertain him, without using the tv. I think at that age, he loved to look at the blinds (they appear to move to them...like the other response said). I put him in bouncy seat in front of them and he would watch them for awhile. Also, I think it is ok for them to fuss a little if they are ok...Once they can sit and crawl it is so much better.
J.:)

Bumbo Chair. My son just wanted to see what was going on. We took it out to eat and he never once cried. I could cook dinner or us the computer.

Sometimes at that age, them just being able to see you does the trick. I had a bouncy seat for my son and he loved it. He was able to sit up and see what was going on. Whether I was washing dishes or folding laundry, he didn't care as long as I was in his eyesight. They usually just want to know that you are there and they aren't alone - definitely worth a try! Good luck!! :)

all you need is a swing and / or bouncy (to alternate to prevent boredom and Baby einstein baby Mozart video... I started all my babies at 3 months and they loved it!!! I call it my half hour of peace... and at the end they usually fall asleep to it... so you get a little more time. Place your baby close enough to thetv for him to be ble to view... the colors and clasical musicwill attract him (make sure it is baby mozart since this the beginer one... you can gradualy upgrade him to others... world animals by baby einstein is awesome later!) At first stan close to the tv so his eyes will wander that way... point at the objects and talk to him about them... gradually walk away when he gets into it... soon enough you wont have to stand in front of the tv... he will recognize the music and watch. They love it and from what I have read it also stimulates the brain. Also when my baby is tired of swing or bouncy I place her on a stroller and let her wonder around the house with me as I do chores... or if your chores permit... put her in a baby bjorn carrier... they usually fall asleep there. the nice thing aout this one is that you can place them on bed w/out waking them.
Good luck
G.

Swings, playmats and just sitting the baby up so the child can see what you are doing. Just a suggestion. Good luck, Jen

You need a baby bouncer. I had one for my son and he loved it! I put it in what ever room I was working and he'd bounce and bounce in it. He even napped in it at times. This is definatly a plus when they are fussy!

try BABY EINSTEIN videos or cds. they are very soothing and the videos keep their intrest

try Baby Einstein videos

3 1/2 months old, wow mine is 5 months and I know that she need to know you are there. They really do not stay awake for long periods of time at this stage. So a toy will only keep them busy for a few minutes. Long enough for you to take a bathroom break of load the washer. The good part is they will take naps. This is the time to get most of the chores done. Try to keep them in the livingroom so they get used to the noise of the day. In a swing is great. Keep the tv or better yet radio on so they have constent noise. So the noises you make do not wake them. And at this age as long as they are not hungry, wet or needing burping the can cry themselves to sleep. If they feel the need to be held by mom try putting one of your reciently worn shirt on them, as long as it is not really dirty. The smell of the shirt will sooth them. IT SMELLS like mommy.

Hi T. - Do you have a baby swing?? If so - that is a wonderful time for your baby to swing while you are walking around - also may be a good time for baby to nap! Whenever I put my kids in their swing - they always fell asleep - especially if I started the vacuum!!!! Or if you are in the same room - put your baby on the floor - on his back - with a baby gym designed to go over him - do you know what I mean - things that he/she can reach up for.

I think at that age, it's easy to overstimulate, plus get into a habit of feeling like you have to constantly entertain, which will turn out to be difficult for you when he is older. My son loved his mobile- I brought it out into the living room and hung it off the back of a chair (just don't lay him directly under it in case it falls!)It does NOT need to be on and moving. You can put on classical music so you don't have to hear the mobile's music over and over. Also, I found a mobile arm thingy on line that clips onto things (changing table, chair, ect) and you can hang toys from it for him to look at. Since he isn't using his hands yet, think "what can I give him to look at and listen to?" If I remember correctly, at his age, his retna is not fully attached, so things look like they are vibrating when they are staying still-- polka dots and stripes will fascinate him for a long time. If he cries wheh you put him down, as long as he is fed and changed, let him fuss for a few minutes! He's fine!

Snugli baby carrier is $20 at Target. I had one with my 1st and got a lot done with him in it. I bought a top of the line baby bjorn air carrier for $100 for my 2nd one and I returned it for the snugli because the snugli was actually nicer and bjorn carrier is such that his upper thighs were up against the plastic fasteners. Snugli is also much easier to put on and take off IMO. Target carries both so you can see for yourself. Although they say kids shouldn't watch TV before the age of 2 I managed to get a lot done while my little one was in a bouncy seat watching a baby einstein video. And you'll think it's gonna get easier when they can get around a bit themselves but it doesn't. It just creates new challenges. Try to cherish this time when they're little and blow off the cleaning. Later you'll remember the time you spend just holding and playing with him and you'll forget the house wasn't so tidy.