Keeping a 5 month year old entertained

Zola.

My wife and I are starting to go out of our mind a little bit haha... our 5 month year old son isn't happy unless he is constantly on the move in the house, being walked around endlessly room to room, looking at every object in the house. We admire his curiosity, but it's a bit like groundhog day. Theres only so much running commentary of the objects you can do before you question your sanity.

We do get him out for walks in the pram most days which is nice... although its getting cold. Toys that he has hold little interest at this stage. For example, he hates the jumperoo after 2 mins, we can get maybe up to 10 mins on a good day in the lying down 'jungle gym' / grab a toy play mat. He does this annoying fake cry until you pick him up haha... even if you are lying down in the play mat with him... he gets bored. When he's on the move he does little shrieks/screams of joy and is all excited hah.

He will only lay relaxed and take in a baby book when he starts to get a little tired or has just finished a large feed, he wont settle otherwise! When he is visiting family and friends he is generally in a good mood and interested.

Basically, we need ideas.... what else could we think about to keep him entertained? :rotfl:;):beer:

pickledonionspaceraider

Zola. wrote: »

He does this annoying fake cry until you pick him up haha... :

Don't pick him up each time. You know it is a 'fake' cry -as in nothing is properly wrong

I know it is hard, and I don't mean to sound horrible, but scurrying in each time, is it doing you or him any favours in the long term?

Just a thought, and like I say I dont mean to sound horrible, it is so tempting to pick them up every tiny wimper, but I am not certain, after raising my own, that it is necessary or helpful

Pollycat

It sounds like he's doing a great job of training you...

Zola.

Ah he's only a wee one pollycat, when he can understand English I can say no, but at this age I feel bad if I just left him... theres no reasoning..

Agree there may be a middle ground... although we were warned its impossible to spoil them at this age ...

honeypop

If he doesn't like the jumperoo, perhaps he'd feel better in something that doesn't move about so much, like this https://www.mothercare.com/baby-walkers-and-activity-stations/skip-hop-explore-and-more-3-stage-activity-centre/291362.html?cgid=nursery_playtime_exercisers#start=2 I had one similar to this for my boys at that age, and again for my little girl last year. There are many different types available, but this is a good example. It's handy to have somewhere you can put him down. Once they learn they can spin the seat round to reach the other bits around the outside, it's even more exciting.

Does he move about, rolling, crawling? If not quite yet, with my little girl, I used to spread a big blanket on the floor, lay her on it, and put various little toys around her in a circle to encourage reaching out and moving towards, turning round, rolling etc to reach different things. Kept her amused for a while each time. I sat with her nudging things a little closer if she was nearly there but struggling, to let her know she could reach them.

Fireflyaway

I'd suggest not over stimulating him. Boredom never killed anyone. Kids need to learn that they can't always have attention immediately and constantly. Constant distractions could be detrimental in the long run. I'm talking about always having a dummy in their mouth or being shoved in front of an ipad. It can lead to speech delays and problems with social interaction.
I'd allow him to be bored sometimes. He will figure out how to play with his toes, babble to himself, watch you whilst you cook or clean etc. When he is older, allow him to play on his own for a bit. Give him pens and let him draw. Allow him to play with cars or dolls and use his imagination. I'd also suggest when he is older and calls you, sometimes say 'ok Bob mummy / daddy just needs to finish this job, I will be with you in 2 minutes'. Kids will become very demanding it not taught to be patient.

Zola.

honeypop wrote: »

If he doesn't like the jumperoo, perhaps he'd feel better in something that doesn't move about so much, like this https://www.mothercare.com/baby-walkers-and-activity-stations/skip-hop-explore-and-more-3-stage-activity-centre/291362.html?cgid=nursery_playtime_exercisers#start=2 I had one similar to this for my boys at that age, and again for my little girl last year. There are many different types available, but this is a good example. It's handy to have somewhere you can put him down. Once they learn they can spin the seat round to reach the other bits around the outside, it's even more exciting.

Does he move about, rolling, crawling? If not quite yet, with my little girl, I used to spread a big blanket on the floor, lay her on it, and put various little toys around her in a circle to encourage reaching out and moving towards, turning round, rolling etc to reach different things. Kept her amused for a while each time. I sat with her nudging things a little closer if she was nearly there but struggling, to let her know she could reach them.

Still too little at this stage, cant roll back onto his front yet.

He is content sometimes in his high chair when we are in the kitchen but does get cranky and after 10 mins max... haha

Fireflyaway wrote: »

I'd suggest not over stimulating him. Boredom never killed anyone. Kids need to learn that they can't always have attention immediately and constantly. Constant distractions could be detrimental in the long run. I'm talking about always having a dummy in their mouth or being shoved in front of an ipad. It can lead to speech delays and problems with social interaction.
I'd allow him to be bored sometimes. He will figure out how to play with his toes, babble to himself, watch you whilst you cook or clean etc. When he is older, allow him to play on his own for a bit. Give him pens and let him draw. Allow him to play with cars or dolls and use his imagination. I'd also suggest when he is older and calls you, sometimes say 'ok Bob mummy / daddy just needs to finish this job, I will be with you in 2 minutes'. Kids will become very demanding it not taught to be patient.

We don't let him see any screens at all really. Dummy only for sleeping!

it's just trying to get the balance at this stage.. he's too young to be reasoned with. Don't want to be a sucker, but also don't want to be a grumpy old dad, yet! :rotfl:

kingfisherblue

I used to sing to my children - a lot! Nursery rhymes, traditional folk songs, pop songs, campfire songs, and even the occasional hymn. I also left plenty of things within their reach whilst I was doing other things (still supervising them). A variety of toys, and a selection of books - fabric, board, and bath books. I also read stories to my three from a very early age, either from memory, made up, or from books.

martinthebandit

Zola. wrote: »

... although we were warned its impossible to spoil them at this age ...

Really?

Think someone has warned you wrong.

My suggestion would be to stick him in a sling.

ViolaLass

I second the sling idea.

And no, you can't spoil them at this age.

Singing can help, particularly if they're in a sling as they'll feel vibrations too.

Tried talking about what you're doing? Tried going to any kiddy groups like Stay and Plays? They can help to break the day up.

trailingspouse

He sounds like a perfectly normal 5 month old - and you sound like perfectly normal parents.
Don't feel you have to interact with him every minute of every day - but babies are hard-wired to get your attention, and they're very good at it.