How much play/stimulation does 4 month old need?

[Koshka1984]

I think (as always) that I am being a bad mum, my mums house where my DS and I live is draughty, there is a draught floor level so i dont really like him being there.

Anyway.....

How much play does he need? We have a play on the floor and I lie on the floor too but he never seems that interested. He seems more happy bouncing in his chair and chewing his hands.
When i'm on the computer (like now) he's on my lap.

I don't know what else to do with him really. We walk to town most days to get out of the house.

Just wondered if there is anything else I can do? Thanks x

[lemonaid]

You sound as though you are doing fine. The whole world is exciting stimulation for him now. He's getting to the sort of age where he'll start being more interested in toys and "things" (DS loved ripping up magazines when he was about 4.5 months) -- if you're giving him the opportunity to play on the floor or with things but he's happier doing something else then I think that's fine. Talk to him a lot about what's going on and whatever seems to be occupying his interest at the time.

You might look into whether there are nursery rhyme sessions at your local library, or something like that. I started going to those with DS when he was about that age and we both enjoyed it at our different levels (something new for him to look at, with other babies, and he liked some of the rhymes although was profoundly uninterested in some of the others). It was also a good place to meet other mums and babies.

[katylou25]

With ds2 i do very similar to you. As long as hes got stuff to look at - mobiles, playmat, toys on bouncy chair etc, and that he can grab if he wants rattles etc, and that you talk and sing to him and thats all they need. Fresh air, and being out and about is great for them. IMO 4 months is to young to play as such, just need attention from you/anyone else around. My ds loves you pulling faces and laughing at him -sends him into sucha giggling fit oh and his hands and feet are SOOOOO interesting.

[Rookiemum]

Trying to think back to that stage a whole 4 months ago ......

He will let you know if he is not happy, DS liked lots of cuddling and tickle games, loved being on the floor but thats because he was always desperate to roll over some babies aren't interested.

Baby massage classes were fun for both of us, I found he was too young to get much out of the music taster sessions we went to.

I agree with lemonaid DS loves the bounce & tickle sessions now at the library and looking at the other babies so worth giving them a go.

[UniSarah]

In the next few months floor time will be usefull for his mobility development... he can't easily learn to roll, crawl etc with out it. May be its worth investing a a draught excluder 9 or rollomng a towel up and useing that) for the bottom of the door in what ever room you chose to play on the floor in. Or play with him on the bed as if its teh floor? but he will need watching all the time as once they roll you never know when they will do so.

my ds was 4.5 m/o when we were at a big sports event, he had " floor time" on a blanket on the sports hall floor or on our bed at the hostel. he was very keen on almost rolling over at teh time.

[Jam77]

Hi All - My DD is 11 weeks old and I do worry a bit as she doesn't really like being on the floor - will fuss after a few mintues and is so much happier chewing her hands in her bouncy chair. I have been worried that if she doesn't like being on the floor, how will she develop in the rolling over etc department???

[Rantum]

At this stage as long as your DS is getting attention and opportunities to be in different positions and see everything around her he'll be fine - sounds like he gets lots of stimulation already. I used to lie DS on our double bed and play with his feet and hands etc there and let him kick etc - kept him away from the draught. Most of all enjoy this part of babyhood - once they start moving you long for the days that a bouncy chair could hold them!

[Rantum]

Sorry - I clearly am getting my gender typing confused - am aware that OP child is a DS...

[iwouldloveadollypleaseSanta]

we had a nice square quilt with patchwork and picture bits on it that dd liked to lie on, it was a bit more comfy than on the floor. also a playgym with padded edges is quite good because the dangly toys can amuse them and tummy time isn;t so drafty - the edges act as draft excluders

[Jam77]

lol @ rantum - can see me in a few months saying "are you sure you don't want to take your hands out of dvd player/kitchen cupboard/cats mouth and sit nicely in your chair???"

[gmummy]

I know what you mean about the draught on the floor level - I used to worry about my DD at 4mths too. This probably sounds ridiculous but I bought a paddling pool from mothercare with an air filled bottom/three ring sides/three "palm trees" going up to a big "palm leaf"/blow up butterflies attached with velco. I set it up in the front room (nearly passed out blowing it up!) and put DD in there. It was big enough for her to lie/play in just like a big playpen and kept the draughts out plus I could hang toys from the velcro patches so I could ring the changes from day to day.
Another mad thing which DD used to love was lying side by side with me on the bed while I "cycled" and waggled my legs and arms in the air, rolled back and forth away from her and back and crawled round the bed poking my head up to say "boo".
One thing to really remember - you are definitely not a bad mum - you are just feeling like we all did with a 4mth old but I bet you are doing brilliantly. They do get more interested by 6mths and in the meantime I can definitely recommend lemonaid's baby rhyme time suggestion if you can find one at the library and perhaps the NCT run a tiddlers and toddlers group near you?

[maamee]

My 7 month DS likes to watch the Baby Einstein dvds- they are 20-30 minute long videos with music- well some days he is in the mood and he seems to be completely absorbed by it and other times he doesn't go for it. Although I don't want him growing too accustomed to watching TV, I put it on in the mornings and it does buy me time to check emails etc. Now he actually gets excited (sticks his hand into his mouth) when he hears the TV turned on and anticipates the disney logo to appear....I just hope he doesn't get too attached to watching TV.

[maamee]

Sorry I meant to add that I started letting him watch the Baby Einstein dvds around the time he was 4 months old and now by 7 months he already expects certain images to appear and relates to some of the puppets.

[Koshka1984]

thank you all for your help!

He gets lots of wriggle time when hes asleep aswell so better not worry too much!

Its thw whole house to be honest, tried draught excluders/cats and it doesnt help. I think there are holes in the house where the damp is coming through!