How are you keeping your baby busy?

[Amy@STL]

I have a boy who will turn 6 months Oct 3. He is a quiet baby but lately getting bored and whines a lot. I am a full time working mama, and my in-laws baby sit him day time, and that's when he is bored. They take him around the apt a lot (they can't drive, so no parks or anywhere far). We have toys, jumperoo, songs etc. He bores easily of them now.

Soooo....tell me ideas to keep him busy and happy which are do-able by my in-laws. He can sit without support for few seconds, can't crawl yet.

Ideas pleaseeeeeee?

[Tway]

I gotta say, walks were a life saver--and still are! Even if there's no parks around, can your in-laws take him around the neighbourhood? DD loved to have things pointed out to her--tree, squirrel, bird, car, anything at all. At some point she started to make the sounds of the animals and is now trying to pronounce the words. She just loves the stimulation and the fresh air. Can your in-laws try even a trip around the block...?

[ErinYay]

You know, even though it was only 3 months ago, I cannot, for the life of me, remember.

I *do* remember not being able to get a blasted thing done, so I must have been doing something with her... Perhaps I just let her out in the yard all day while I shot black tar heroin into my eyes!?

(So far 6-8 months has not been my most favorite period.)

[Amy@STL]

Originally Posted by ErinYay

You know, even though it was only 3 months ago, I cannot, for the life of me, remember.

I *do* remember not being able to get a blasted thing done, so I must have been doing something with her... Perhaps I just let her out in the yard all day while I shot black tar heroin into my eyes!?

(So far 6-8 months has not been my most favorite period.)

Had it not been for my desperation, I would have found your post funny

[Amy@STL]

Originally Posted by Tway

I gotta say, walks were a life saver--and still are! Even if there's no parks around, can your in-laws take him around the neighbourhood? DD loved to have things pointed out to her--tree, squirrel, bird, car, anything at all. At some point she started to make the sounds of the animals and is now trying to pronounce the words. She just loves the stimulation and the fresh air. Can your in-laws try even a trip around the block...?

They do take him around the apartment community.....how many times a day can one do that? I guess, all the time , looks like!

[MeepyCat]

Originally Posted by ErinYay

You know, even though it was only 3 months ago, I cannot, for the life of me, remember.

I *do* remember not being able to get a blasted thing done, so I must have been doing something with her... Perhaps I just let her out in the yard all day while I shot black tar heroin into my eyes!?

I'm pretty sure that's what I was doing when mine was that age.

In all seriousness, I don't know what your in-laws limitations are, but outside is like magic for my kids - it makes them instantaneously calmer and happier. Walks are good. And whatever there *is* within walking distance, make use of it. Parks, sidewalks, libraries, whatever.

The lower effort version is to put the kid down on the floor with some tupperware and a wooden spoon, maybe a toy or three, and some cushions strewn here and there and hang out nearby being massively uninteresting yourself. Video camera optional.

[Amy@STL]

Originally Posted by MeepyCat

I'm pretty sure that's what I was doing when mine was that age.

In all seriousness, I don't know what your in-laws limitations are, but outside is like magic for my kids - it makes them instantaneously calmer and happier. Walks are good. And whatever there *is* within walking distance, make use of it. Parks, sidewalks, libraries, whatever.

The lower effort version is to put the kid down on the floor with some tupperware and a wooden spoon, maybe a toy or three, and some cushions strewn here and there and hang out nearby being massively uninteresting yourself. Video camera optional.

Will try that low effort version today!

So, looks like all babies get bored indoors...ok, we will continue what we are doing , spending max waking hours outside!

[Tway]

Just wanted to add that I stop by a coffee shop just about every weekday for an hour or so, and DD people-watches while I gulp a little wake-me-up. She loves seeing people, and smiles away at everyone. She's rarely ever restless or unhappy, I think because every new face gives her someone to interact with. I strategically sit near the cash and people work their magic every time. She even flirted with a policeman today!

[SunRise]

@ 6 months my daughter enjoys sightseeing...going for walks and looking at everything - either on me or in a stroller. She like to practice sitting. She likes to practice standing up. I hold her arms and she stands up and plops down.
She is happy laying on her back, on the ground on a few blankets and playing with a toy dangling down the wall, or some other object she can hold (rattle, block). She also likes to lay on her back and slap her tummy - I suppose this her own little thing to do.
I would say the sightseeing keeps her attention the longest, and laying one her back, kicking her legs and singing.
She will be content for 10-15 minutes in an exersaucer or bouncy thing. The thing may be to rotate through a few "stations" with a walk in the morning and in the afternoon being a highlight. Also, eating is fun for her too.

[mommy212]

For a while around that age (maybe a little younger? not sure) when ds got bored I would take him around and show him the painting and photos on the wall. I fished new toys out of the kitchen, yard, tool box, anywhere I could get it. I seem to remember that time being my time of creative toy invention and not much else. I have never been much for playing stuff with him, I let him entertain himself as much as possible. Tissue boxes are lots of fun but a mess lol. Not so good if your baby is a drooler Also another vote for outside!

[rachieface]

Bubbles! My five month old looooooves bubbles. We lay him on the floor and let them fall on him and around him, and he thinks it's great. It's pretty entertaining for me as well...

Hmmm...this is a hard age though because baby wants to be sitting up and moving around and can't quite yet. Jude also like his Bumbo because he can sit and play with toys....other than that we read books and spend lots of time practicing new skills (rolling, sitting with my help, holding his hands so he can stand...).