SAHM- How does your 6 month old spend his/her day?

amother

OP ↓

Thu, May 16 2024, 1:39 am

(Not an infant technically, but definitely not a toddler yet- so posting in this forum)

I’m trying to give my baby lots of time on the floor when awake- but she’s not very happy, so doesn’t last more than a couple of minutes each time. If I can, I get down on the floor with her but she’s still not a fan… bh she’s reaching milestones and already kind of crawling backwards so I’m not worried about development.

She ends up in my hands most of the day and I’m wondering how other babies this age spend their day when not eating or sleeping?
(The nursing is still every 2 hours… occasionally 3)

amother

↑ OP

Thu, May 16 2024, 1:42 am

Also want to add that even if I put baby into the swing for a couple of minutes so I can dash away to throw a load into the machine, she very loudly protests after like 10 seconds tops…

myname1

Thu, May 16 2024, 4:09 am

I remember my first had a very difficult time not being held at that age. (He also hated tummy time!) We got the Fisher Price Jumperoo and that helped. He's upright and entertained by the toys as well as jumping/bouncing and the lights/music. A baby carrier also helped for when he wanted to be held and I wanted my hands. As she gets more mobile, she'll hopefully be happier exploring on her own a bit more.

mummiedearest

Thu, May 16 2024, 7:51 am

A jumperoo/exersaucer can be helpful, or a high chair. How is your baby in a car seat? A crib?

If she’s super clingy, a baby carrier/wrap can be extremely helpful. My somewhat clingy baby (compared to siblings) did well with bouts of intense mommy time followed by independent time. Intense mommy time can include any or multiple of the following- massage, clapping songs, tickling, reading books, noisy kisses/raspberries, jumping on my lap, playing on the floor together, dance parties, etc. Just serious undivided attention. I’d put the baby down after a while to explore on his own and walk away. At the first whine, I’d come back and say hi. If he whined again, I’d pick him up and try again later. On whiny days, I get minimal housework done. Those days are for teething, growth spurts, or not feeling well.
This too shall pass. Your baby will let you do laundry in luxurious slow fashion eventually.

amother

Natural

Thu, May 16 2024, 10:12 am

Mostly on the floor. He loves it so I’m lucky. My first was more like yours. We spent most days outside in the park on a walk shopping visiting…

giftedmom

Thu, May 16 2024, 10:15 am

My babies this age spend a lot of time on the floor under a baby gym, on their tummy playing with toys and they also love a jumperoo if there’s one available. Going out is also a great activity.
It also helps when there are older siblings around making a racket

amother

Cantaloupe

Thu, May 16 2024, 10:20 am

It’s usually until the first bus (3pm) that entertainment is needed.
Around 4/5 months my babies are nursing every 4 hours (or more often if they’re really crying or I think they’re hungry). So that builds the schedule accordingly. I also start solids for fun then, if they’re showing readiness like interest and sit nicely.
At that age I try to go out every day for a chunk of time either before or after nap time , just stick them in the carriage and do errands or nice long walk.
I do house work and stuff with them in the room, on the floor and changing things up when they seem bored, different mat or toys or whatever.
Getting together with someone else in either one’s house can be nice too.

AlwaysGrateful

Thu, May 16 2024, 10:25 am

A few of mine only liked tummy time on my stomach. Meaning I was lying on my back and they were on top of me. Some of my kids were okay on their backs on the floor, as long as they were in the same room as me, but some were not.

When I needed to get things done, it was carrier, my arms, or in a bouncy seat near where I was working so I could see them and talk to them. When they could sit a little better (and by 6 months they could), they would go in a bumbo on the floor for a short amount of time, or I'd sit them up propped by some pillows in a way that if they toppled over they would be fine, again not for long period but for a little while because they preferred that to the seat at some point and there were times I didn't have any hands available.

amother

Stoneblue

Thu, May 16 2024, 10:29 am

amother Cantaloupe wrote:

You shouldn’t be pushing until 4 hours or waiting for them to cry. Crying is a late sign of hunger. There is no inherent good in waiting and pushing off a feed until four hours.